Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VU Research Portal Neural synchronization within and between regions of the motor system

Synchronization of neural activity is considered essential for information processing in the nervous system. Both local and inter-regional synchronization are omnipresent in different frequency regimes and relate to a variety of behavioral and cognitive functions. Over the years, many studies have sought to elucidate the question how alpha/mu, beta, and gamma synchronization contribute to motor control. Here, we review these studies with the purpose to delineate what they have added to our understanding of the neural control of movement. We highlight important ﬁndings regarding oscillations in primary motor cortex, synchronization between cortex and spinal cord, synchronization between cortical regions, as well as abnormal synchronization patterns in a selection of motor dysfunctions. The interpretation of synchronization patterns beneﬁts from combining results of invasive and non-invasive recordings, different data analysis tools, and modeling work. Importantly, although synchronization is deemed to play a vital role, it is not the only mechanism for neural communication. Spike timing and rate coding act together during motor control and should therefore both be accounted for when interpreting movement-related activity.
A multistage multicriteria spatial sampling strategy for estimating contaminant mass discharge and its uncertainty

Mass discharge across a control plane has great potential to serve as a metric for the assessment of the impact of partial source zone depletion and for the development of risk‐based source plume remediation strategies. However, field‐estimated mass discharge is always subject to uncertainty, arising from nonexclusive sampling. The accuracy of the estimated discharge and the magnitude of its quantifiable uncertainty depend upon the amount of information provided by the sample data. A multistage spatial sampling strategy is proposed to select optimal sampling locations and determine minimal sampling density for accurate quantification of mass discharge uncertainty. Two sampling criteria are incorporated to ensure coverage of the control plane and delineation of highly concentrated areas (hot spots). Multiple criteria decision making theory is adapted to objectively weight the two sampling criteria, on the basis of the information importance of each criterion, with additional observations located according to the weighted average of the two criteria. Application of this methodology to numerically simulated plume transects shows that in comparison to one stage sampling design (regular pattern), this sampling strategy yields a 50% reduction in required sampling density for accurate uncertainty modeling. The developed sampling algorithm can be used in real time to guide staged field sampling.
Anthropogenic eutrophication and ecosystem functioning in freshwater lakes

Intensive agricultural practices can dramatically change the landscape by increasing the concentrations and rates at which nutrients are delivered to aquatic ecosystems. Concerns about accelerating rates of eutrophication related to increases in nutrient loading require a method of quantifying ecological changes since European settlement. Traditional quantitative TP transfer function approaches have proven difficult in these systems, so several approaches were used in this study to assess ecological change consistent with eutrophication. In addition to weighted averaging regression, we compared pre-disturbance diatom communities to modern diatom communities using paired boxplots and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling. Biogenic silica (BSi) fluxes were also measured as an independent proxy of nutrient enrichment. Transfer function results showed a trend towards increased TP in 88% of the lakes and diatom communities showed shifts to those species found in eutrophic lakes in the majority (~70%) of lakes. BSi fluxes also increased over this time period, providing convergent evidence for eutrophication coincident with agricultural intensification.
Quantity or Quality: The Impact of Labor-Saving Innovation on US and Japanese Growth Rates, 1960-2004

This article deals with both theoretical and empirical analyses of the post-war period (1960-2004) for the United States and Japan. We investigated three factors contributing to growth: the growth rates of capital, labor, and labor-saving innovation. It is shown that in Japan, the growth rate of the labor force has been much less important than its quality improvement-i.e., labor-saving technical change-while in the US, the growth rate of labor and population has contributed more than their quality improvement. The policy implication here is Japan's declining population can be compensated for by additional quality improvement of the existing labor force.
Composición Química del Aceite Escencial de Hojas de Orégano (Origanum vulgare)

Resumen Se ha analizado quimicamente el oregano ( Origanum vulgare ) cultivado en Coloso, Departamento de Sucre en Colombia para determinar la variabilidad en la composicion quimica causada por las condiciones climaticas de la region. Para ello se empleo cromatografia de gases acoplada con espectrometria de masas. Se identifico como compuesto mayoritario al timol con 67,51%, seguido de p-cimeno, γ-terpineno, cariofileno, oxido de cariofileno, trans-α-bergamoteno, eugenol, y α- bergamoteno, con 11.66%, 5.51%, 5.38%, 2.22%, 1.65%, 1.49%, y 1.32% respectivamente. El Timol le otorga al oregano multiples propiedades antioxidantes, microbiologicas y conservantes de alimentos, ademas de potenciales aplicaciones en perfumeria y cosmetica. Palabras clave: origanum vulgare, aceite esencial, cromatografia de gases, espectrometria de masas Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil extracted from Oregano Leaves ( Origanum vulgare ) Abstract The chemical composition of oregano (Origanum vulgare) cultivated in Coloso, Department of Sucre in Colombia has been determined with the objective of determining the variability in the chemical composition caused by climatic conditions of the zone. For this, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry has been employed. The analysis allowed identifying Thymol as the major compound with 67.51%, followed by p-cymene, γ-terpinene, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, trans-α-bergamoteno, eugenol and α-bergamoteno, with 11.66%, 5.51%, 5.38%, 2.22%, 1.65%, 1.49% and 1.32% respectively. Thymol gives oregano several antioxidant, microbiologic and food preserving properties, besides potential applications in the perfume and cosmetic industry.
Variability of water levels and impacts of streamflow changes and human activity within the Pearl River Delta, China

Abstract The Pearl River Delta (PRD) is a complicated criss-cross river network. The booming economy and intensifying human activity have greatly altered the natural water levels, which threatens regional sustainable development. The Mann-Kendall trend test and the kriging interpolation method were used to detect the spatial and temporal patterns in the trends of extreme high/low water levels related to different magnitudes of streamflow, in order to explore the impacts of hydrological processes on the water-level changes throughout the PRD. The results indicate that: (a) streamflow changes at the Sanshui and Makou stations exhibit different characteristics. No significant trend can be identified in the streamflow changes at Makou station; however, the streamflow at Sanshui station shows a significant increasing trend, especially in low-flow periods. The decreasing Makou/Sanshui streamflow ratio exerts tremendous impacts on the water-level changes in the hinterland of the PRD region. (b) Extreme high/low water levels exhibit similar changing patterns. The extreme high/low water levels in the high/normal flow periods are decreasing in both the upper PRD and the hinterland of the PRD region. Increasing extreme high/low water levels in low-flow periods can be identified in the hinterland of the PRD region. The coastal regions are characterized by increasing extreme high/low water levels. (c) Extreme high/low water levels for high/normal flow periods in the hinterland of the PRD are heavily impacted by topographic changes due to in-channel dredging. Increasing extreme high/low water levels along the coastal regions are mainly backwater effects caused by serious siltation and rising sea level. This study has scientific and practical merits in regional fluvial management and mitigation of natural hazards. Citation Zhang, Q. , Xu, C. -Y. & Chen, Y. D. (2010) Variability of water levels and impacts from streamflow changes and human activity within the Pearl River Delta, China. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(4), 512–525.
An experimental assessment of the effectiveness of gravel cleaning operations in improving hyporheic water quality in potential salmonid spawning areas

Dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions within the hyporheic zone were investigated in a gravel stream (River Sieg) in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, populated in the spawning season by recurring migratory fish species, like Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta L.). The gravel bed was cleaned at three sites in an area of approximately 150 m2 to a depth of 50 cm, reducing the quantity of grains <2 mm to below 0.2%. DO concentrations in cleaned and uncleaned sediments were monitored in situ at 10, 20 and 30 cm sediment depth from the end of November 2001 to the end of April 2002. DO showed only minor fluctuations at the cleaned sites and steadily decreased at all uncleaned sites over time. Fine sediment accumulation over 5 months in the cleaned sites was comparable to the proportion of material within the bed prior to the experimental cleaning and probably influenced the DO concentrations of the hyporheic water. Decreasing DO concentrations at all sites coincided with increasing water temperatures towards the end of the study period. The cleaning operation significantly improved the conditions of DO in the hyporheic zone of the three study sites. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physics of Bacterial Morphogenesis

SUMMARY Bacterial cells utilize three-dimensional (3D) protein assemblies to perform important cellular functions such as growth, division, chemoreception, and motility. These assemblies are composed of mechanoproteins that can mechanically deform and exert force. Sometimes, small-nucleotide hydrolysis is coupled to mechanical deformations. In this review, we describe the general principle for an understanding of the coupling of mechanics with chemistry in mechanochemical systems. We apply this principle to understand bacterial cell shape and morphogenesis and how mechanical forces can influence peptidoglycan cell wall growth. We review a model that can potentially reconcile the growth dynamics of the cell wall with the role of cytoskeletal proteins such as MreB and crescentin. We also review the application of mechanochemical principles to understand the assembly and constriction of the FtsZ ring. A number of potential mechanisms are proposed, and important questions are discussed.
The tumor immune microenvironment of primary and metastatic HER2- positive breast cancers utilizing gene expression and spatial proteomic pro�ling

The characterization of the immune component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) breast cancer has been limited. Molecular and spatial characterization of HER2 + TME of primary, recurrent, and metastatic breast tumors has the potential to identify immune mediated mechanisms and biomarker targets that could be used to guide selection of therapies. We examined 15 specimens from eight patients with HER2 + breast cancer: 10 primary breast tumors (PBT), two soft tissue, one lung, and two brain metastases (BM). Using molecular pro�ling by bulk gene expression TME signatures, including the Tumor In�ammation Signature (TIS) and PAM50 subtyping, as well as spatial characterization of immune hot, warm, and cold regions in the stroma and tumor epithelium using 64 protein targets on the GeoMx Digital Spatial Pro�ler.
Self-reported gagging in dentistry: prevalence, psycho-social correlates and oral health

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Direction-finding studies of large-scale ionospheric irregularities

The paper describes the results of directional measurements on pulse signals reflected from the ionosphere, on various frequencies in the range 2 to 15 Mc/s. The measurements have been made at vertical and oblique incidence (distance 700 km), and the observed directional variations have been interpreted in terms of ionospheric tilts. At any instant the direction of the tilt may be regarded as random; the magnitude is found to be similar, on the average, in each of two orthogonal directions. The way in which the tilts change with time and distance have been studied, the latter by means of observations using either spaced receivers or transmitters. The tilts at a given point in region F are found to be uncorrelated at a time interval of about 5 min during the day and about 10 min during the night. At a given time they are uncorrelated at points separated horizontally by about 50 km. There is appreciable negative correlation at greater time intervals at a single point, and there may be a similar effect in the space-correlation. Observations are described which indicate large-scale horizontal movements in the ionosphere. In the sporadic E layer these appear to be in the nature of drifting clouds of ionization, while in the F layer the effects are such as would be produced by horizontally travelling ripples in the surfaces of constant ionization density. These ripples have wave-lengths of 50 to 400 km and speeds up to 350 m/s. The direction of motion tends to be more often towards the east or west than towards the north or south, and evidence of a diurnal change has been obtained.
Influences of Optimism, Sex, and Event-Related Medical Factors

Postoperative depression is a multifaceted condition that can limit quality of life and potentially decrease the survival benefits of open heart surgery (OHS). We postulated that sex, pre-event character strengths, medical, and certain surgery indicators would predict post-event/myocardial infarction depression. To identify predictors, we collected three-wave survey data from 481 OHS patients at a large academic referral institution (age, 62+; female, 42%) and included key medical and surgical information. The final model (F[7, N = 293] = 28.15, p < 0.001, R = 0.408) accounted for over two fifths of the variance in post-OHS depression. Pre-event/OHS optimism mitigated post-OHS depression. Being female, older, living alone, longer surgical perfusion time, absence of left main disease greater than 50%, and pre-OHS depression were associatedwith the increased likelihood of post-OHS depression. Our findings suggest that teaching optimism to OHS patients might be beneficial in reducing the risk of postoperative depression and that female patients should be monitored more closely for the development of depression through an interdisciplinary approach.
Vulnerability of coastal habitat of the Circular Head region to seal level rise: Communication Plan

The aim of this plan is to communicate the findings of research on the vulnerability of coastal habitats of the Circular Head region coastal foreshore (Boullanger Bay, Robbins Passage, Big Bay and Duck Bay) to sea level rise in order to support action in managing sea level rise impacts. The effects of sea level rise in the study area are already evident and are being managed, for example by local landholders, through the construction of levees to defend land close to the shoreline. The findings of the study support an approach to protecting land that works with nature rather than against it.
aEEG and NDO in CHD

From the a Department of Neonatal Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital and the b Neonatal Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne Australia, c Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland New Zealand, d Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Australia, e The Medical University of Vienna, Vienna Austria and f Intensive Care Services, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston USA.
Combination of 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and multiparameter MRI improves the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: a lesion by lesion analysis

Purpose: To explore whether 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT (PET/CT) or the combination of mpMRI and 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT (com-MRI/PET) can improve the detection of csPCa. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 54 patients who underwent both mpMRI and PET/CT before radical prostatectomy. Regions of interest (ROI) on imaging from mpMRI, PET/CT and pathology were marked. A lesion was defined when ROI was marked in the same location on continuous imaging at any of the imaging setting. All lesions were recorded by Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS), miPSMA expression score (MI-ES) and pathology results and analyzed. The diagnostic performance was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Specific improvement for lesions with different PI-RADS score and were analyzed by net reclassification improvement (NRI). Results: Totally, 90 lesions from 54 patients were analyzed, among which 66 lesions were csPCa. ROC analysis showed improvement of com-MRI/PET comparing with mpMRI for csPCa detection (Δ area under the curves (ΔAUC) 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.12; p<0.05). With calculated cutoff, com-MRI/PET has a significant overall improvement compared with mpMRI (NRI, 21.9%, p<0.01), with an improvement on sensitivity (89% versus 76%, p<0.01) and no sacrifice on specificity (96% versus 88%, p>0.05). Diagnostic improvement for csPCa detection happened on lesions with PI-RADS 3 (NRI 66.7%, P<0.01). Conclusions: The com-MRI/PET improves the detection of csPCa for lesions with PI-RADS 3.
Development of a mental script for the mental practice of micro suturing: a methodological approach.

INTRODUCTION Motor imagery and mental practice are important for the acquisition and mastery of surgical skills. The success of this technique relies on the use of a well-developed mental script. In this study, we shared how we developed a mental script for basic micro suturing training by using a low-fidelity rubber glove model. METHODS This study applied the design and development research framework. Five expert surgeons developed a mental script by performing a cognitive walkthrough to repair a vertical opening in a rubber glove model, followed by hierarchical task analysis. A draft script was created, and its face and content validity assessed with a checking-back process. Twenty-eight surgeons used the Mental Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ) to assess the validity of the final script. RESULTS The process of developing the mental script is detailed. The assessment by the expert panel showed the mental script had good face and content validity. The mean overall MIQ score was 5.2±1.1 (standard deviation), demonstrating the validity of generating mental imagery from the mental script developed in this study for micro suturing in the rubber glove model. CONCLUSION The methodological approach described in this study is based on a design and development research framework to teach surgical skills. This model is inexpensive and easily accessible, addressing the challenges of reduced opportunities to practise surgical skills. However, although motor skills are important, the surgeon's other non-technical expertise is not addressed with this model. Thus, this model should act as one surgical training approach, but not replace it.
Purpose in Life and Its Relationship to All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events: A Meta-Analysis

Objective To assess the net impact of purpose in life on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Methods The electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO were systematically searched through June 2015 to identify all studies investigating the relationship between purpose in life, mortality, and cardiovascular events. Articles were selected for inclusion if, a) they were prospective, b) evaluated the association between some measure of purpose in life and all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular events, and c) unadjusted and/or adjusted risk estimates and confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results Ten prospective studies with a total of 136,265 participants were included in the analysis. A significant association was observed between having a higher purpose in life and reduced all-cause mortality (adjusted pooled relative risk = 0.83 [CI = 0.75–0.91], p < .001) and cardiovascular events (adjusted pooled relative risk = 0.83 [CI = 0.75–0.92], p = .001). Subgroup analyses by study country of origin, questionnaire used to measure purpose in life, age, and whether or not participants with baseline cardiovascular disease were included in the study all yielded similar results. Conclusions Possessing a high sense of purpose in life is associated with a reduced risk for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Future research should focus on mechanisms linking purpose in life to health outcomes, as well as interventions to assist individuals identified as having a low sense of purpose in life.
Three-dimensional dynamics optical coherence tomography for tumor spheroid evaluation

We present a completely label-free three-dimensional (3D) optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based tissue dynamics imaging method for visualization and quantification of the metabolic and necrotic activities of tumor spheroid. Our method is based on a custom 3D scanning protocol that is designed to capture volumetric tissue dynamics tomography images only in a few tens of seconds. The method was applied to the evaluation of a tumor spheroid. The time-course viability alteration and anti-cancer drug response of the spheroid were visualized qualitatively and analyzed quantitatively. The similarity between the OCT-based dynamics images and fluorescence microscope images was also demonstrated.
Postseismic strain following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake from GPS and leveling measurements

Postseismic deformation in the 5 years following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake has been measured with the Global Positioning System and precise leveling. Postearthquake velocities at distances greater than ∼20 km from the coseismic rupture are not significantly different from those observed in the 20 years prior to the earthquake. However, velocities at stations within ∼20 km of the rupture exceed preearthquake rates and exhibit unanticipated contraction normal to the strike of the San Andreas fault system. A combination of forward modeling and nonlinear optimization suggests that the observed postseismic deformations were caused by aseismic oblique reverse slip averaging 2.9 cm/yr on the San Andreas fault and/or the Loma Prieta rupture zone and 2.4 cm/yr reverse slip along a buried fault within the Foothills thrust belt. The best fitting sources of postseismic deformation are all located at depths of less than 15 km. We find no evidence for accelerated flow or shear below the Loma Prieta rupture in the first 5 years following the earthquake. The inferred postseismic slip is likely to have been caused by the coseismic stress change updip of the 1989 rupture.