Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale in adult patients with severe brain injury: a comparison study

Objective: To assess and to compare the reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale with the Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with severe brain injury and impaired consciousness. Design: Cross-sectional observational comparison study. Setting: An early rehabilitation centre for adults with neurological disorders. Subjects: Thirty patients with impaired consciousness due to severe cerebral damage of various aetiologies. Measurement protocol: Four experienced physical therapists rated each patient in a randomized order once daily for two consecutive days. Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle spasticity were assessed by the use of Modified Tardieu Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale data collection procedures. Main outcome measures: Test - retest and inter-rater reliability (k=kappa value) of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Results: The test-retest reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale was moderate to good (k = 0.47-0.62) and of the Modified Tardieu Scale moderate to very good (k = 0.52-0.87). Test - retest reliability was significantly higher within the Modified Tardieu Scale in comparison with the Modified Ashworth Scale (Z<1.96; p<0.05) except for shoulder extensor and internal rotator muscles (Z<1.96; p<0.05). Although inter-rater reliability of both scales was poor to moderate (Modified Ashworth Scale: k = 0.16-0.42; Modified Tardieu Scale: k = 0.29-0.53), significantly higher k-values were revealed with the Modified Tardieu Scale for all tested muscle groups (Z<1.96; p<0.05) except for wrist extensors (Z<1.96; p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with severe brain injury and impaired consciousness the Modified Tardieu Scale provides higher test-retest and inter-rater reliability compared with the Modified Ashworth Scale and may therefore be a more valid spasticity scale in adults.
Book Review: Income and Social Security and Substandard Working Conditions: Over the Edge: The Growth of Homelessness in the 1980s

detailed, disaggregated, and analytical treatment of this phenomenon currently available. Moreover, the book is a highly readable, well-written one, draws together a good deal of both industrial relations and political science literature, and places its data analysis in both a historical and analytical context. Perhaps inevitably, there are causes for some reservations about, not to say criticisms of, the analysis, findings, and conclusions. For instance, I have some concerns about the treatment of the organizational and political factors as separate influences. That is, one might want to argue that the maintenance (and not weakening) of the organizational linkage between unions and the Labour Party could be an important part of the explanation for the phenomenon in question, given the increasing tensions and strains in the relationship between the unions and Labour Party as a result of the operation of incomes policies. Second, some of the multivariate statistical analysis presented in Chapters 5 and 6 might have benefited from some use of interaction terms in the equations. That being said, there is no question that the book should, and will, be of considerable interest to British industrial relations researchers. Is anyone else likely to be interested in it? In practice, I suspect the answer probably is no. Whether the book merits no broader an audience, though, is another question. For instance, reviews of representation election studies in the United States have frequently noted the relatively atheoretical approach of such studies. I can certainly imagine some researchers working on that particular subject benefiting from reading and reflecting on the theoretical material presented in Chapter 4.
HYPERBOLIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

There is one Information Retrieval model that uses geometrical space: it is the Vector Space Model, which is defined in Euclidean Space. The paper shows that it is possible to define a Vector Space Model in non-Euclidean Space, too. Namely, the paper proposes a Vector Space Model over the Cayley-Klein Hyperbolic Geometry using a similarity measure derived from the hyperbolic distance. It is shown that the proposed model is equivalent with the classical Vector Space Model using a normalized weighting scheme. Experiments are also reported to demonstrate the model suggested.
Traffic congestion analysis: A new Perspective

In this paper, a new perspective of congestion is presented to promote the development of traffic video analysis. Our main contributions are threefold: a) An unified and quantifiable definition of congestion is proposed to describe the traffic state in video. b) Based on the definition, a congestion dataset which contains multiple traffic scenes is constructed as a platform for the research community. At the same time, a precise labeling method is introduced to get the ground truth of congestion level accurately. c) An algorithm based on Inverse Perspective Mapping (IPM) and pairwise regression is proposed to analyze traffic videos and serves as a baseline. We further compare the proposed method with two deep learning methods. Intensive experiments justify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Lysosomal enzyme cytochemistry in acute leukaemia

A cytochemical study of the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase in 60 cases of acute leukaemia has shown a qualitative difference in the cytoplasmic distribution of the enzyme between blast cells of the lymphoid and myeloid cell series. This difference provides a useful additional method for cytochemical classification of cell type and is superior in this respect to the other lysosomal enzymes studied (aryl sulphatase and acid phosphatase). The β-glucuronidase reaction is recommended in those cases of acute leukaemia in which the periodic acid-Schiff reaction is negative or equivocal.
Using the Humanoid Robot KASPAR to Autonomously Play Triadic Games and Facilitate Collaborative Play Among Children With Autism

This paper presents a novel design, implementation, and first evaluation of a triadic, collaborative game involving the humanoid robot, kinesics and synchronization in personal assistant robotics (KASPAR), playing games with pairs of children with autism. Children with autism have impaired social communication and social interaction skills which make it difficult for them to participate in many different forms of social and collaborative play. Our proof-of-concept 10-week, long term study demonstrates how a humanoid robot can be used to foster and support collaborative play among children with autism. In this work, KASPAR operates fully autonomously, and uses information on the state of the game and behavior of the children to engage, motivate, encourage, and advise pairs of children playing an imitation game. Results are presented from a first evaluation study which examined whether having pairs of children with autism play an imitative, collaborative game with a humanoid robot affected the way these children would play the same game without the robot. Our initial evaluation involved six children with autism who each participated in 23 controlled play sessions both with and without the robot, using a specially designed imitation-based collaborative game. In total 78 play sessions were run. Detailed observational analyses of the children's behaviors indicated that different pairs of children with autism showed improved social behaviors in playing with each other after they played as pairs with the robot KASPAR compared to before they did so. These results are encouraging and provide a proof-of-concept of using an autonomously operating robot to encourage collaborative skills among children with autism.
Preliminary evidence of a relationship between the use of online learning and academic performance in a South African first-year university accounting course

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between the use of online learning resources and academic performance in an Accounting 1 course conducted at a South African Higher Education Institution. The study employed a quantitative analysis over three academic years comparing the collection of end of year marks and the time spent online. The results provide preliminary empirical evidence to show that students who spent more time online significantly improved their course mark. Although much accounting-based educational research exists on the use of computers, there is a dearth of research testing any relationship between the use of online learning material and performance. While the results are preliminary and have some limitations, they are useful to students, teaching instructors and administrators, and provide a platform for future research into the value of using online learning in accounting.
The Neurobiology of Addiction Recovery

Emerging knowledge of the brain mechanisms involved in the production of chemical dependence leads to speculation that a reversal of these mechanisms must be involved in recovery. This commentary reviews what is known about the neurobiology of addiction and recovery, and poses several questions related to recovery that should be answered for the benefit of individuals and their families seeking to resolve alcohol and other drug problems. It is time to extend our research focus from the study of pathology to the study of resilience and recovery. We propose that the shift will require more focused attention on the neurobiology of addiction recovery.
Dreams and aspirations of mobile young Aboriginal Australian people

This article explores the dreams and aspirations of mobile young Aboriginal Australian people aged between 13 and 25 years, who move in, out and through remote, regional and urban locations. Considering dreams and aspirations in the context of cultural difference is the central focus of this article, which uses a critical and deconstructive approach to the Eurocentric conceptualisation of youth policy terminology in Australia. Participatory and ethnographic techniques were used for this research study which engaged directly with mobile young Aboriginal Australian people. Through exploring the dreams and aspirations of this cohort of participants, this study challenges popular stereotypes depicting young Aboriginal Australian people as delinquent and disengaged. All young participants in this study expressed the dream of wanting to contribute positively to society. Aspirations for the future were expressed and formed by a set of values which were found not to reflect dominant cultural assumptions of successful transitions into adulthood.
Validation of School Function Assessment with Elementary School Children

The present study was conducted to examine the validity of the School Function Assessment (SFA). The study sample consisted of 64 children: 29 in general education (GEN) without disabilities, 18 with learning disabilities (LD), and 17 with cerebral palsy (CP). Convergent validity was supported by the significant correlation (r values ranged from .56 to .72) found between the scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (classroom edition) to comparable scales of the SFA. Construct validity of the SFA using the known groups method was also supported. Significant differences in SFA scores among the 3 groups were found using the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and multiple comparisons. The GEN group differed from the LD group in cognitive/behavioral subtests, the CP group differed from the GEN group in all areas of the SFA, and the LD and CP groups differed on the physical domain of the SFA. Finally, the discriminant analysis of scores on the SFA showed the high percentage of participants being correctly classified in the respective groups (93.1% for GEN, 55.8% for LD, and 88.2% for CP). These results provide new evidence for the validity of the SFA using methodologies not previously reported in the literature. Given the unique features as well as the provided psychometrical properties of the SFA, this recently developed functional assessment should be considered a valid instrument for use in school settings.
Does reading to infants benefit their cognitive development at 9-months-old? An investigation using a large birth cohort survey

This study uses a nationally representative sample of 9-month-old infants and their families from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study to investigate if reading to infants is associated with higher scores on contemporaneous indicators of cognitive development independently of other language-based interactions between parent and infant, such as showing them pictures or talking to them. Reading to infants had an independent positive effect on scores for both the problem-solving and communication subscales of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), while the positive effect of showing pictures was independent only for communication scores. The effects of both of these activities were, however, less substantial than the positive effect observed for the more informal activity of frequently talking to the infant while doing other things; and this was observed for both communication and problem-solving. The analyses were robust to adjustment for several other factors including maternal education, gestational age, non-parental care, breastfeeding, attachment and presence of siblings. The findings highlight the potential of reading and talking to infants, not just for language and literacy development but also for other aspects of cognitive development.
The effects of a career planning course and a computer-assisted career guidance program (SIGI PLUS) on undecided university students

This study examined the separate and combined effects of a career planning course and a computer-assisted career guidance system (SIGI PLUS) on undecided university students. Seventy first and second year university students were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (career planning course only; career planning course and SIGI PLUS; SIGI PLUS only; wait-listed control group). Pre and posttest measures were administered and an analysis of covariance was conducted to determine differences among groups for each measure. Significant overall differences were found for each measure. Follow-up procedures revealed significant differences between specific career treatment groups and the control group. Implications for counselors are discussed.
Bid Optimization Using Non-Concave Forecasting Models EE 364 b Final Project Report

Online search engines such as Google and Bing auction advertising space, such as the area in the green box shown in Fig. 1. The advertisements shown depend on the search term (‘keyword’) entered by the viewer, with advertisers bidding on specific keywords with which their promotions will be displayed. A successful advertising event, defined as a ‘conversion’, involves a user seeing the advertisement, clicking on it, and ultimately buying the product or service promoted [1].
Finding the breech: Influence of breech presentation on mode of delivery based on timing of diagnosis, attempt at external cephalic version, and provider success with version

BACKGROUND Breech presentation affects 3-4% of pregnancies at term and malpresentation is the primary indication for 10-15% of cesarean deliveries. External cephalic version is an effective intervention that can decrease the need for cesarean delivery; however, timely identification of breech presentation is required. We hypothesized that women with a fetus in a breech presentation that is diagnosed after 38 weeks' estimated gestational age have a decreased likelihood of external cephalic version attempted and an increased likelihood of cesarean delivery. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study. A chart review was performed for 251 women with breech presentation at term presenting to our tertiary referral university hospital for external cephalic version, cesarean for breech presentation, or vaginal breech delivery. RESULTS Vaginal delivery was significantly more likely (31.1% vs 12.5%; P<.01) in women with breech presentation diagnosed before 38 weeks' estimated gestational age as external cephalic version was offered, and subsequently attempted in a greater proportion of women diagnosed before 38 weeks. External cephalic version was more successful when performed by physicians with greater procedural volume during the 3.5 year period of the study (59.1% for providers performing at least 10 procedures vs 31.3% if performing fewer than 10 procedures, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS Results support the need for interventions to increase timely diagnosis of breech presentation as well as improved patient counseling and use of experienced providers for external cephalic version.
Geranium Leaf Assisted Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Development of biologically inspired experimental processes for the synthesis of nanoparticles is evolving into an important branch of nanotechnology. In this paper, we report on the use of Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) leaf extract in the extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles. On treating aqueous silver nitrate solution with geranium leaf extract, rapid reduction of the silver ions is observed leading to the formation of highly stable, crystalline silver nanoparticles in solution. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the silver particles indicated that they ranged in size from 16 to 40 nm and were assembled in solution into quasilinear superstructures. The rate of reduction of the silver ions by the geranium leaf extract is faster than that observed by us in an earlier study using a fungus, Fusarium oxysporum, thus highlighting the possibility that nanoparticle biosynthesis methodologies will achieve rates of synthesis comparable to those of chemical methods. This study also represents an important advance in the use of plants over microorganisms in the biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles.
Effects of pre ‐ exercise alkalosis on the decrease in V ̇ O 2 at the end of all ‐ out exercise

Purpose This study determined the effects of pre-exercise sodium bicarbonate ingestion (ALK) on changes in oxygen uptake (V̇ O2) at the end of a supramaximal exercise test (SXT). Methods Eleven well-trained cyclists completed a 70-s all-out cycling effort, in double-blind trials, after oral ingestion of either 0.3 g kg of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or 0.2 g kg body mass of calcium carbonate (PLA). Blood samples were taken to assess changes in acid–base balance before the start of the supramaximal exercise, and 0, 5 and 8 min after the exercise; ventilatory parameters were also measured at rest and during the SXT. Results At the end of the PLA trial, which induced mild acidosis (blood pH = 7.20), subjects presented a significant decrease in V̇ O2 (P < 0.05), which was related to the Communicated by Carsten Lundby. * Claire Thomas claire.thomas@univ-evry.fr 1 French National Institute of Sports (INSEP), 11 Tremblay Avenue, 75012 Paris, France 2 STAPS Department, University of Evry Val d’Essonne, François Mitterrand Boulevard, 91025 Evry, France 3 Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia 4 EuroMov: Movement to Health, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France amplitude of the decrease in minute ventilation (V̇E) during the SXT (r = 0.70, P < 0.01, n = 11). Pre-exercise metabolic alkalosis significantly prevented the exercise-induced decrease in V̇ O2 in eleven well-trained participants (PLA: 12.5 ± 2.1 % and ALK: 4.9 ± 0.9 %, P < 0.05) and the decrease in mean power output was significantly less pronounced in ALK (P < 0.05). Changes in the V̇ O2 decrease between PLA and ALK trials were positively related to changes in the V̇E decrease (r = 0.74, P < 0.001), but not to changes in power output (P > 0.05). Conclusions Pre-exercise alkalosis counteracted the V̇ O2 decrease related to mild acidosis, potentially as a result of changes in V̇E and in muscle acid–base status during the all-out supramaximal exercise.
Influence of childcare practices on nutritional status of Ghanaian children: a regression analysis of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys

Objectives Guided by the UNICEF framework for childcare, this study examined the association of childcare practices (CCP) with infant and young children's growth (height-for-age Z-scores, HAZ), and investigated whether care practices are more important to growth in some sociodemographic subgroups of children. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Urban and rural Ghana. Participants The study sample comprised 1187 dyads of mothers aged 15–49 years and their youngest child (aged 6–36 months). Results The results showed that CCP was a significant predictor of HAZ, after controlling for covariates/confounders at child, maternal and household levels. Children with higher CCP scores had higher HAZ. A 1-unit increase in the CCP score was associated with a 0.17-unit increase in HAZ. Child's and mother's age, number of children under 5 years, place of residence, maternal weight and wealth index were also significantly associated with HAZ. Statistical interaction analyses revealed no subgroup differences in the CCP/HAZ relationship. Conclusions This study found a significant, positive association between CCP and child growth, after accounting for other important determinants of child growth at maternal and household levels. This calls for research into the effects on growth of various CCP components, with longitudinal cohort study designs that can disentangle causal relationships.
Hepatitis B Virus Replication Induces Methylation of both Host and Viral DNA

ABSTRACT Control of viral replication is a major therapeutic goal to reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Recently, methylation has been identified as a novel host defense mechanism, and methylation of viral DNA leads to downregulation of HBV gene expression. To better understand the mechanisms of HBV methylation, cell lines were exposed to HBV using a model system that mimics natural infection and the expression of host DNA methyltransferase genes (DNMTs) was measured. DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3 were all significantly upregulated in response to HBV. DNMT3 was further studied because of its known role in the de novo methylation of DNA. Cotransfection experiments with full-length HBV and DNMT3 led to the downregulation of viral protein and pregenomic RNA production. To investigate whether the upregulation of DNMTs could also have an effect on the methylation of host DNA, cell lines were exposed to HBV in two independent model systems, one that mimics natural infection and a second model with temporary transfection. Host DNA methylation was measured by DNA microarray analysis. Increased methylation of host CpG islands was detected in both experimental systems. Two CpG islands, corresponding to genes SUFU and TIRAP, were selected, and the downregulation of these genes in hepatocellular carcinomas was confirmed. In conclusion, hepatocytes respond to HBV infection by upregulating DNMTs. The DNMTs methylate viral DNA, leading to decreased viral gene expression and decreased viral replication. However, virus-induced overexpression of DNMTs also leads to methylation of host CpG islands.