Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Menopausal issues: a national probability sample of US women.

OBJECTIVE This survey assessed women's reported information sources about menopause, interactions with physicians concerning use of and compliance concerning conventional and alternative therapies for symptoms, and factors determining choices of symptom support. DESIGN The study was a nationwide probability survey of menopausal women regarding their symptoms, their attitudes toward menopause and concerns about the menopause experience, what they use as sources of information about menopause, their evaluation of healthcare professionals' competence in addressing patients' concerns, self-evaluation of communication with a healthcare professional about concerns, their feelings about herbal remedies and other complementary and alternative medicine treatment options, and what they consider the most important factor(s) in choosing a treatment option for menopause. RESULTS Physicians were the most common source of menopause information. Physician opinions are more frequently sought than other sources. About 40% of respondents are comfortable with using over-the-counter or herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms. Only 19% had discussed use of herbal supplements with their physicians. CONCLUSION This study unveiled women's opinions about treatment options for menopause. More in-depth studies regarding efficacy and/or side effects of each available treatment are the relevant next step, given the prevalence of both hormone replacement therapy and alternative therapies and the controversies surrounding them.
Activity Identification and Local Linear Convergence of Forward-Backward-type Methods

In this paper, we consider a class of Forward--Backward (FB) splitting methods that includes several variants (e.g. inertial schemes, FISTA) for minimizing the sum of two proper convex and lower semi-continuous functions, one of which has a Lipschitz continuous gradient, and the other is partly smooth relatively to a smooth active manifold $\mathcal{M}$. We propose a unified framework, under which we show that, this class of FB-type algorithms (i) correctly identifies the active manifolds in a finite number of iterations (finite activity identification), and (ii) then enters a local linear convergence regime, which we characterize precisely in terms of the structure of the underlying active manifolds. For simpler problems involving polyhedral functions, we show finite termination. We also establish and explain why FISTA (with convergent sequences) locally oscillates and can be slower than FB. These results may have numerous applications including in signal/image processing, sparse recovery and machine learning. Indeed, the obtained results explain the typical behaviour that has been observed numerically for many problems in these fields such as the Lasso, the group Lasso, the fused Lasso and the nuclear norm regularization to name only a few.
Design and Optimization of Test Architecture for IP Cores on SoC Based on Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm

For system-on-chip (SoC) test based on IP cores integration reuse, the IEEE 1500 Standard has given specific testing architecture. In this paper, we aim at building controllable test architecture for IP cores on SoC based on IEEE 1500 Standard. The technique applied is referred to as test control switch which is configured to the Wrapper of IP cores. We design a switch control register (SCR) to configure the state of the switches, and apply the expanded TAP (eTAP) based on IEEE 1149.1 Standard to control the SCR and the Wrapper of IP cores. In addition, we design the chip level test control architecture which can be widely used for test of SoC based on IP cores. Finally, we apply the software of Modelsim to implement simulation about the control mechanism of the SCR and the eTAP. The simulation results show the effectiveness and controllability of the test architecture Besides, the paper builds SoC self-testing architecture through connecting Built-In-Self-Test (BIST) and IEEE 1500 Standard. The technique applied is referred to as Niche Genetic Algorithm (NGA) which is one of Multi- objective Genetic Algorithm, we build Block testing model which is optimization for partition of Testing-Access- Mechanisms (TAM) and IP cores based on NGA. The studies we have performed showed that the NGA can reduce SoC testing time effectively and the Block testing model can achieve testing data sharing for multiple IP cores.
Motor Function Recovery in Stroke Patients with Corona Radiata Infarct: 4 Case Studies

【Purpose: The aim of this study was to use fMRI and clinical prognosis criteria to evaluate therapeutic interventions in stroke patients with corona radiata infarct and acquire fundamental information about recovery mechanisms. Methods: Four subjects (2 men, 2 women) who had strokes with corona radiata infarct were recruited. For all subjects, motor functions such as motricity index (MI), modified brunnstrom classification (MBC), functional ambulatory category (FAC), and bathel index (BI) were evaluated. Evaluations were done at least 4 times over a period of approximately 6~7 months from stroke onset. We compared the final evaluation with the first. Results: All patients with corona radiata infarct showed improvement in motor outcomes with the passing of time. The strength of all patients improved from zero or trace levels to normal or good levels in the MI (Motricity Index) test. Other motor outcomes including the modified brunnstrom classification (MBC), the functional ambulatory category (FAC), and the bathel index (BI) also improved with the passing of time. Conclusion: Stroke patients with corona radiata infarcts change for the better over time. Therefore, one can introduce clinical interventions by the aspect of progress in functional motor recovery. 】
Autism, Chemicals, Probable Cause and Mitigation: A New Examination

This extensive overview has addressed in a scientific manner the probable cause of autism. Although seemingly an impossible task, an important clue has always been autism’s triggered growth from the late 90s. This triggering eliminated genetics as a major cause and redirected it to changes in the anthropogenic environment. Global availability for ingestion by women of child-bearing years of all neurotoxic chemicals has been reviewed and potential changes examined. Surprisingly, these simple criteria eliminate almost everything except the neurotoxic metal elements. These are all present in recent blood analyses of pregnant women and also in the fetal cord with some at risk level concentrations. However, the two predominant neurotoxic elements that clearly stand out are Al and Hg. Furthermore, isotopically labeled experiments on animals coupled to fetal autopsies indicate that these in the forms of Al3+, HgCH3 + and HgC2H5 + can penetrate the usually tight blood/brain barrier and enter the brain with now known half-lives. Normally, these elements are controlled and neutralized by brain seleno-cysteine proteins. However, an overloading burden has become plausible in current times and even a temporary failure leaves the fetal brain vulnerable. For the first time, the burden is seen to arise not from a single source, but from the combination of medicine and diet. If these neurological illnesses are to be controlled, the body-burden for these and all the other toxins that the body has to constantly manage has to be reduced. To begin with, this will have to involve modifying currently high inoculation rates and procedures particularly in the US, and minimizing risks from consuming fish especially in a Japanese sushi life-style. This is not only of importance for women of child-bearing ages but for the whole population considering the consequences of such body burdens throughout life.
Development and control of a Bowden-cable actuated exoskeleton for upper-limb rehabilitation

This paper deals with the development and control of an upper limb exoskeleton used for the robotic rehabilitation of stroke patients. Bowden-cable actuators with a high power-weight ratio are applied in the robot system to provide remote power transmission and simplify the mechanical design. The kinematics model of the exoskeleton is analyzed and optimized to eliminate singularities from the desired workplace and achieve natural human-robot interaction. A real-time control system is established in xPC target environment and used to process the feedback signals from the force sensor and potentiometers and execute the control algorithm. An impedance control scheme is developed to provide interactive therapy training to the patients with different disability levels. Preliminary experiments have been carried out in two different training modes to evaluate the performance of the proposed exoskeleton and control approach.
Small Words - Big Issues : The Anthropological Relevance of Khoesan Interjections (Natural History of Communication among the Central Kalahari San)

Interjections are ubiquitous in most languages but they have for long been neglected by linguists. To anthropologists they are of particular relevance because they shift our attention from “sentences” (as abstract units found in grammars) to “utterances” (that is, real world units) which are indexical since they can only to be understood in the context of speech events. As bridges between language and the lived world they often transport emotive contents and a sense of what the speaker feels. As I will show with examples from the ǂAkhoe Haiǁom corpus, interjections have to be learned from communicative interaction and they are rich entry points into what Sugawara has defined as the point of departure for anthropological research, namely “embodied experience”.
Utilização de Web Surveys para Estudos de Uso

This paper shares the experience of utilizing web survey research to collected data about the use of the Capes Digital Library of Electronic Journals through a questionnaire sent to around 15.000 members of the faculty of 17 federal universities in Brazil. The choice of this method of research was motivated, mainly, by the size and geographic dispersion of the population. Nevertheless, some difficulties are associated with surveys conducted through the web. The article reports on the research development, detailing the identification of respondent data, the development and delivery of the questionnaire, the technological infrastructure and the response follow up process. The article also shares information about the research instruments and software utilized. Finally, it presents a discussion of the successes achieved, difficulties overcome, decisions taken and experience acquired on conducting a survey of large scale. Preliminary results of the research are also reported.
Water Quality Assessment in Piracicamirim Creek Upstream and Downstream a Sugar and Ethanol Industry Through Toxicity Tests With Cladocerans

An environmental impact study was conducted to determine the Piracicamirim's creek water quality in order to assess the influence of effluents from a sugar industry in this water body. For this, toxicity tests were performed with a water sample upstream and downstream the industry using the microcrustaceans Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii as test organisms, as well as physical and chemical analysis of water. Results showed that physical and chemical parameters did not change during the sampling period, except for the dissolved oxygen. No toxicity was observed for D. magna and reproduction of C. dubia and C. silvestrii in both sampling points. Thus, the industry was not negatively impacting the quality of this water body.
A Novel Image Formation Algorithm for High-Resolution Wide-Swath Spaceborne SAR Using Compressed Sensing on Azimuth Displacement Phase Center Antenna

High-resolution wide-swath (HRWS) imaging with space- borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can be achieved by using az- imuth displacement phase center antenna (DPCA) technique. How- ever, it will consequently leads to extremely high data rate on satellite downlink system. A novel sparse sampling scheme based on compressed sensing (CS) theory for azimuth DPCA SAR was proposed, by which only a small proportion of radar echoes are utilized for imaging to re- duce data rate. The corresponding image formation algorithm for the proposed scheme was presented in the paper. The SAR echo signal of each channel can be reconstructed with high probability by using orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm in Doppler frequency domain. The reconstructed echo signals of each channel are jointly processed by means of spectrum reconstructing fllter for compensat- ing Doppler spectrum aliasing resulting from non-uniform sampling in azimuth direction. The high quality SAR image can be obtained by us- ing chirp scaling algorithm. The efiectiveness of the proposed approach was validated by computer simulations using both point targets and distributed targets.
A Dual-Input Central Capacitor DC/DC Converter for Distributed Photovoltaic Architectures

This paper proposes a dual-input central capacitor dc/dc converter for distributed photovoltaic (PV) power harnessing, which can be used to boost dual input sources with minimized semiconductor voltage/current stress and converter rating. Also the proposed circuit could realize the independent maximum power point tracking capability for two input PV sources. This paper analyzes the operational principle of the proposed dual-input central capacitor dc/dc converter under both continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode and presents a comparative study between dual-input central capacitor converter and its counterparts. Besides, an adaptive control method considering PV power difference, operational safety and efficiency is elaborated. Finally, the proposed converter along with its adaptive control method was verified through matlab simulation and a laboratory prototype.
Delay effects on secondary frequency control of micro-grids based on networked multi-agent

This paper investigates a secondary frequency control scheme of micro-grid based on synchronization for a network of multi-agent. The networked multi-agent form is presented by a directed graph theory. Delay could occur when interacting with agents. With the consideration of its problem, consensus control with time-delay is considered. To confirm an effect of time-delay on the secondary frequency control in the micro-grid, a consensus condition will be derived within the framework of linear matrix inequalities based on Lyapunov method. Finally, through one example, the necessity of the consideration of time-delay effect on the secondary frequency control is shown.
The relationship between specific language variables and mental ability in the treatment of information by adults

The main f o c u s of t h i s r e s e a r c h was t o determine the f u n c t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p t h a t e x i s t s when mental a b i l i t y and language competence a r e s e p a r a t e l y and s i m u l t a n e o u s l y measured w i t h r e g a r d t o t h e i r i n f l u e n c e on the e f f e c t i v e t r e a t m e n t of v e r b a l i n f o r m a t i o n . The s u b j e c t sample c o m p r i s e d 100 men and women, aged 20-60 y e a r s , who were chosen t o be r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of the employable p o p u l a t i o n of the G r e a t e r Vancouver a r e a . The assessment of language i n t h e s e s u b j e c t s i n c l u d e d s k i l l i n . syntax, e x e m p l i f i e d by v e r b f o r m competence, the v a r i e t y of c l a u s a l s t r u c t u r e s employed, and the presence of o t h e r m o d i f y i n g d e v i c e s common t o a d u l t language. The pr o c e d u r e s f o r a s s e s s i n g t h e s e c o m p e t e n c i e s were o r i g i n a l l y d e v e l o p e d by the a u t h o r from raw d a t a s u p p l i e d by Koopman (1985). Comprehension was measured by means of a s t a n d a r d r e a d i n g comprehension t e s t , which c o m p r i s e d a s e r i e s of graded p a r a g r a p h s . M u l t i p l e c h o i c e q u e s t i o n s were posed on s p e c i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n r e g a r d i n g the c h a r a c t e r s and e v e n t s , i n f e r e n c e s and i m p l i c a t i o n s of the c o n t e n t , and r e c a l l of the a c t i o n s and s e t t i n g s p r e s e n t e d i n the pa r a g r a p h s . I n t e l l i g e n c e was measured by a n o n v e r b a l i n t e l l i g e n c e t e s t , which c a l l e d f o r the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of g e o m e t r i c a l p a t t e r n s and l e a r n e d s k i l l s i n m a t c h i n g , a n a l o g i e s ,
When “where” is more important than “when”: Birthplace and birthdate effects on the achievement of sporting expertise

Abstract In this study, we assessed whether contextual factors related to where or when an athlete is born influence their likelihood of playing professional sport. The birthplace and birth month of all American players in the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, and Professional Golfer's Association, and all Canadian players in the National Hockey League were collected from official websites. Monte Carlo simulations were used to verify if the birthplace of these professional athletes deviated in any systematic way from the official census population distribution, and chi-square analyses were conducted to determine whether the players' birth months were evenly distributed throughout the year. Results showed a birthplace bias towards smaller cities, with professional athletes being over-represented in cities of less than 500,000 and under-represented in cities of 500,000 and over. A birth month/relative age effect (in the form of a distinct bias towards elite athletes being relatively older than their peers) was found for hockey and baseball but not for basketball and golf. Comparative analyses suggested that contextual factors associated with place of birth contribute more influentially to the achievement of an elite level of sport performance than does relative age and that these factors are essentially independent in their influences on expertise development.
Vacant Parking Space Detection Based on a Multilayer Inference Framework

In a practical environment, the viewing angle and height of a video surveillance camera are uncontrollable. This may cause severe interobject occlusion and complicate the detection problem. In this paper, we proposed a novel inference framework with multiple layers for vacant parking space detection. The framework consists of an image layer, a patch layer, a space layer, and a lot layer. In the image layer, image patches were selected based on the 3D parking lot structure. We found that the occlusion pattern within each patch reveals cues of the parking status. Thus, our system extracted lighting-invariant features of patches and trained weak classifiers for the recognition of the occlusion pattern in the patch layer. The outputs of the classifiers, presenting the types of interobject occlusion, were treated as the mid-level features and inputted to the space layer. Next, a boosted space classifier was trained to recognize the mid-level features and output the status of a three-space unit in a probability fashion. In the lot layer, we regarded the local status decision of three-space units as high-level evidence and proposed a Markov random field to refine the parking status. In addition, we extended the framework to bridge multiple cameras and integrate the complementary information for vacant space detection. Our results show that the proposed framework can overcome the interobject occlusion and achieve better status inference in many environmental variations and under different weather conditions. We also presented a real-time system to demonstrate the computing efficiency and the system robustness.
High evolutionary potential of marine zooplankton

Abstract Open ocean zooplankton often have been viewed as slowly evolving species that have limited capacity to respond adaptively to changing ocean conditions. Hence, attention has focused on the ecological responses of zooplankton to current global change, including range shifts and changing phenology. Here, we argue that zooplankton also are well poised for evolutionary responses to global change. We present theoretical arguments that suggest plankton species may respond rapidly to selection on mildly beneficial mutations due to exceptionally large population size, and consider the circumstantial evidence that supports our inference that selection may be particularly important for these species. We also review all primary population genetic studies of open ocean zooplankton and show that genetic isolation can be achieved at the scale of gyre systems in open ocean habitats (100s to 1000s of km). Furthermore, population genetic structure often varies across planktonic taxa, and appears to be linked to the particular ecological requirements of the organism. In combination, these characteristics should facilitate adaptive evolution to distinct oceanographic habitats in the plankton. We conclude that marine zooplankton may be capable of rapid evolutionary as well as ecological responses to changing ocean conditions, and discuss the implications of this view. We further suggest two priority areas for future research to test our hypothesis of high evolutionary potential in open ocean zooplankton, which will require (1) assessing how pervasive selection is in driving population divergence and (2) rigorously quantifying the spatial and temporal scales of population differentiation in the open ocean. Recent attention has focused on the ecological responses of open ocean zooplankton to current global change, including range shifts and changing phenology. Here, we argue that marine zooplankton also are well poised for evolutionary responses to global change.
The selective glycine antagonist gavestinel lacks phencyclidine-like behavioral effects

Gavestinel {GV150526A; (E)-3[(phenylcarbamoil)ethenyl]-4,6-dichloroindole-2-carboxylic acid sodium salt} is a selective antagonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. It was tested for its ability to substitute for phencyclidine (PCP) in rats and rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate PCP from saline, under a two-lever fixed-ratio (FR) food reinforcement schedule, and for its ability to maintain responding in rhesus monkeys trained to self-administer PCP under a FR reinforcement schedule. No PCP-lever responding was observed after gavestinel (1–56 mg/kg i.p.) administration to rats discriminating PCP (2.0 mg/kg i.p.) from saline. The highest dose of gavestinel (100 mg/kg i.p.) tested eliminated responding. Likewise, no PCP-lever responding was observed after gavestinel (1–30 mg/kg s.c.) administration to rhesus monkeys discriminating PCP (0.08 or 0.1 mg/kg i.m.) from saline; the highest dose of gavestinel (30 mg/kg s.c.) tested reduced response rates to approximately 50% of those observed after its vehicle (&bgr;-cyclodextrin in 0.9% saline). Gavestinel (0.1–1 mg/kg per i.v. infusion) was not self-administered by rhesus monkeys that reliably self-administered PCP (0.0056 or 0.01 mg/kg per i.v. infusion). Infusion rates at the highest dose were typically lower than those for vehicle or saline, suggesting behavioral activity. Together, these results suggest that at behaviorally active doses gavestinel is not PCP-like and is likely to have low abuse liability.