Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the effects of visual feedback training and unstable surface training on static and dynamic balance in patients with stroke

[Purpose] This study compared the effects of visual feedback training and unstable surface training on the static and dynamic balance of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The study enrolled 20 stroke patients and randomly assigned them to visual feedback training and unstable surface training groups. Both groups performed 30 minutes of conventional exercise therapy twice a week for 4 weeks. In addition, the subjects in the visual feedback training group completed a visual feedback training regimen and the subjects in the unstable surface training group completed training on an unstable surface (30-minute session three times a week for 4 weeks in both groups). Static and dynamic balance parameters were recorded immediately before and after the 4 weeks of training. For data analysis, the paired and independent t-test was used to compare the two groups. [Results] In the visual feedback training group, the sway line at the postural sway of the center of pressure and trace length decreased significantly after training. In both groups, the sway range at the limits of stability in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions increased significantly after training. [Conclusion] Visual feedback training was better at improving static and dynamic balance than unstable surface training in stroke patients.
Genetic polymorphisms of the A and B subunits of human coagulation factor XIII in mainland Italy and Sardinia: Description of a new FXIIIA variant allele

The distribution of the two alleles of FXIIIA and the three alleles of FXIIIB were studied in populations from mainland Italy and from Sardinia. The frequencies of the FXIIIA*2 allele were 0.266 and 0.265. The frequencies of FXIIIB*1 were 0.787 and 0.765; of B*2, 0.070 and 0.094; of B*3, 0.143 and 0.141. A new cathodal FXIIIA allele (A*7) was described in the Rome sample. No significant difference in the distribution of allele frequencies for either system was found between the two populations studied. For typing both markers, good results were also obtained by using whole blood instead of plasma.
All the great things you can do with trademark data: Taking stock and looking ahead

Firms increasingly rely upon trademarks, but management research exploiting trademark data is surprisingly limited. Reasons for this include data availability, awareness, and bias toward other sources, in particular patents. I demonstrate how imaginative scholars have used trademarks to capture several elements of how, when, and to what extent firms bring (new) products and services to the market. Their work can inspire further applications, particularly now that trademarks are becoming more strategically relevant for companies and as more data are becoming available. After taking stock of what has already been achieved, I look ahead to original research by discussing conceptual and methodological opportunities.
Content-independent image processing based fall detection

A novel detection concept, content-independent image processing system (CIIP system) is designed in this study. The regular life safety of elders who live alone is concerned. It is desired to detect possible falling behaviors and unconscious situations of elders in the case. We intend to use image processing techniques to detect elders' fall but without the concern of being watched. The idea is to put a very cheap wireless small camera on the user (elder) to recode environment images instead of users' motion images. The image process of this approach needs to find the motion information directly from the image instead of some known contents. Thus, this kind of approach is referred to as the content-independent image processing in our study. The proposed system uses several basic digital image processing skills and voting mechanisms to distinguish fall and unconscious situations from activities of daily living. The experiments conducted in our study show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Midgestation lethality in mice deficient for the RecA‐related gene, Rad51d/Rad51l3

Summary: Homologous recombination (HR) occurs in all organisms, and is important for repair of DNA damage, chromosome segregation during meiosis, and genetic diversification. Genes critical for recombinational DNA repair and meiotic recombination include members of the RecA/RAD51 family, of which seven have been identified in mammals. Here, we describe the disruption of Rad51d (recently designated Rad51l3) in mice and its phenotypic consequences. Rad51d‐deficient mice die between 8.5 and 11.5 dpc. The affected embryos are smaller than littermates, posteriorly truncated, and developmentally delayed. Embryonic fibroblasts from mutant embryos could not be propagated more than one generation in culture. Rad51d‐deficient blastocysts were not sensitive to gamma radiation or methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) in blastocyst outgrowth experiments. The variable and generalized developmental progression defects in Rad51d‐deficient embryos suggests that mutant cells may undergo delayed or suboptimal repair of DNA damage, resulting in accumulated degrees of mutation and/or cell cycle perturbation that are incompatible with normal embryonic development. genesis 26:167–173, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting obesity in young adulthood from childhood and parental obesity.

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity increases the risk of obesity in adulthood, but how parental obesity affects the chances of a child's becoming an obese adult is unknown. We investigated the risk of obesity in young adulthood associated with both obesity in childhood and obesity in one or both parents. METHODS Height and weight measurements were abstracted from the records of 854 subjects born at a health maintenance organization in Washington State between 1965 and 1971. Their parents' medical records were also reviewed. Childhood obesity was defined as a body-mass index at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex, and obesity in adulthood as a mean body-mass index at or above 27.8 for men and 27.3 for women. RESULTS In young adulthood (defined as 21 to 29 years of age), 135 subjects (16 percent) were obese. Among those who were obese during childhood, the chance of obesity in adulthood ranged from 8 percent for 1- or 2-year-olds without obese parents to 79 percent for 10-to-14-year-olds with at least one obese parent. After adjustment for parental obesity, the odds ratios for obesity in adulthood associated with childhood obesity ranged from 1.3 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.6 to 3.0) for obesity at 1 or 2 years of age to 17.5 (7.7 to 39.5) for obesity at 15 to 17 years of age. After adjustment for the child's obesity status, the odds ratios for obesity in adulthood associated with having one obese parent ranged from 2.2 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 4.3) at 15 to 17 years of age to 3.2 (1.8 to 5.7) at 1 or 2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Obese children under three years of age without obese parents are at low risk for obesity in adulthood, but among older children, obesity is an increasingly important predictor of adult obesity, regardless of whether the parents are obese. Parental obesity more than doubles the risk of adult obesity among both obese and nonobese children under 10 years of age.
Comparative analysis of standards for Low-power Wide-area Network

This paper examines and analyzes the existing standards NB-IoT, LoRA, Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah) used in wireless networks of Low-power Wide-area Network (LPWAN). Also, the paper reviews main applications of wireless networks of three different standards. The main features of these standards are analyzed, their pros and cons are determined.
Human-friendly stylization of video content using simulated colored paper mosaics

ABSTRACT Video content is used extensively in many fields. However, in some fields, video manipulation techniques are required to improve the human-friendliness of such content. In this paper, we propose a method that automatically generates animations in the style of colored paper mosaics, to create human-friendly, artistic imagery. To enhance temporal coherence while maintaining the characteristics of colored paper mosaics, we also propose a particle video-based method that determines coherent locations for tiles in animations. The proposed method generates evenly distributed particles, which are used to produce animated tiles via our tile modeling process.
Heroin use as an attempt to cope: clinical observations.

The authors suggest that addicts' use of opiates represents a unique and characteristic way of dealing with ordinary human problems and the real world around them. Through five case reports they illustrate how addicts resort to drugs because they have failed to develop symptomatic, characterologic, or other adaptive solutions to stress. In addition, they describe how the pseudoculture of the addict also plays a part infilling his social vacuum and providing an alternative to the establishment of meaningful attachments to other people. The implications for treatment are considered.
Triamcinolone acetonide protects auditory hair cells from 4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (HNE) ototoxicity in vitro

Abstract Conclusion. Triamcinolone acetonide crystalline suspension (e.g. Volon A®) was not ototoxic to the auditory hair cells present within organ of Corti explants and protected them from an ototoxic molecule, i.e. 4-hydroxy-2,3-nonenal (HNE), that is produced within the organ of Corti as a result of oxidative stress-induced damage. Objectives. To test the corticosteroid, triamcinolone acetonide, for ototoxicity and otoprotective capacity in organ of Corti explants. Materials and methods. Organ of Corti explants excised from 4-day-old rats were the test system, HNE was the ototoxin challenge. Hair cell integrity counts were performed with fluorescent microscopy on fixed explants stained with FITC-labeled phalloidin. Statistical significance was set atp <0.05. Results. Triamcinolone acetonide did not affect hair cell integrity in the organ of Corti explants and it provided a high level of protection of hair cells against the ototoxic effects of a damaging level of HNE as determined by hair cell density counts.
Characterization of particles fabricated with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) and an ornithine–histidine peptide as carriers of oligodeoxynucleotide for delivery into primary dendritic cells

We report the formulation of particles to deliver oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) into primary murine dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs) known, using poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a small cationic peptide. PLGA polymer and the ODN were fabricated into nano-sized spherical particles with the aid of O10H6 (O = ornithine, H = histidine). We have previously determined that O10H6 condenses DNA and is less toxic to DCs than a similar lysine-based peptide. The colloidal particles are stabilized by negative surface potentials. The peptide and the ODN can be detected in the fabricated particles with reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Significant ODN uptake can be observed in DCs exposed to the particles. Confocal imaging studies reveal that ODN can be internalized and escape from lysosomes in DCs. Taken together, these data suggest that combining PLGA and O10H6 is a feasible method to generate ODN-containing nano-sized particles for applications in DCs.
Free space structurization of telerobotic environment for on-line transition to autonomous tele-manipulation

This paper proposes a new approach to structuring a free space model in tele-robotic environment by using a slave manipulator equipped with a stereo vision tele-operated by a human operator. Using initial tele-operated motion data of the manipulator, structure of the empty space is reliably and conservatively obtained without explicit geometric model of objects in the environment. A post-processing method enables efficient acquisition of the free space model, which is then utilized to autonomously plan collision-free motion. Thus on-line transition to autonomous tele-operation from master-slave manipulation is achieved. This feature enables wider application of the tele-robotic system in unstructured environment
DETECTION OF GAIT EVENTS USING A VIBRATORY GYROSCOPE

The replacement of force sensitive resistors (FSRs) with a single vibratory gyroscope has been examined for use within a drop foot correction system. The sensor is small and lightweight enough to be easily attached to the shoe, and may be used (currently with an IBM compatible PC) to detect four gait events: heel contact, foot flat, heel rise and toe off. The cost of the gyroscopic sensor is comparable to that of two FSRs, but it is expected that the lifetime will be greater. To date the system has been used to reliably detect these events in the gait of eight able bodied subjects verified using either a force platform or two FSRs. The system has also been used successfully to detect the gait events in eight hemiplegic subjects. A portable version of the system is to be developed which may be used with the University of Surrey’s Compustim 10B two channel gait assist stimulator.
In vivo imaging of lamina cribrosa pores by adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

PURPOSE To visualize and assess the surface-level pores of the lamina cribrosa in patients with glaucoma by using a prototype adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) system. METHODS The numbers of laminar pores were compared between color disc photography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) without AO, and AOSLO. The pore area and elongation index were examined for correlation with ocular parameters such as the mean deviation, disc area, cup/disc ratio, disc ovality index, intraocular pressure (IOP), and axial length in the AOSLO images. RESULTS The 40 eyes (20 normal and 20 glaucomatous) of 40 subjects were enrolled. The AOSLO provided laminar pore images of better quality than other imaging methods, and the number of visible pores was significantly greater in the AOSLO images than in the other imaging methods (the color disc photographs [P < 0.001] and SLO without AO images [P < 0.001]) when compared for 26 subjects. When compared for 40 subjects using AOSLO, the pore area was significantly larger in glaucomatous subjects than in normal subjects (P = 0.031), but elongation index was not. The pore area correlated significantly with the axial length (P = 0.008) in normal subjects, with the untreated IOPs (P = 0.002) in the glaucomatous subjects, and with the axial length (P = 0.001) and cup/disc ratio (P = 0.012) in the total subjects. Via multiple regression analysis, significant correlations with pore area were found for axial length in the normal (β = 0.684, P = 0.001) and total subjects (β = 0.496, P < 0.001) and untreated IOP in the glaucomatous (β = 0.506, P = 0.023) and total subjects (β = 0.331, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS AOSLO is a useful imaging technology for assessing laminar pore morphology. The laminar pore area may be affected by axial length and IOP.
THE CETACEAN FISHING IN THE CANARY ISLANDS

Resumen: La pesca de cetaceos, principalmente ballenas, fue una actividad importante en algunos pueblos marineros durante el Antiguo Regimen, porque proporcionaba cierta riqueza en el aprovechamiento de estos mamiferos, especialmente era demandada su grasa, asi como el aprovechamiento de su carne y hasta sus barbas y osamenta. En Canarias hubo intentos por desarrollar y potenciar esta actividad durante la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII, que adquirio especial importancia tras el tratado de Utrecht, cuando Espana pierde la posibilidad de faenar en las pesquerias de Terranova. Estuvo bajo los auspicio de los ilustrados que trataban de generar nuevos recursos para el desarrollo del pueblo. Sin embargo, como otras tantas empresas de este tiempo, nunca llego a generar los Abstract: The Cetacean fishing, mainly of whales, was an important activity in several maritime villages during the Ancien Regime, because this mammal produced supplies for the people. The most important whale product was its «sain» a kind of oil, together with the meat whale and its whiskers and its bones. In the Canary Islands there was interest in developing this activity in the second half of the 18th Century. This was more important after the Treaty of Utrecht, when the Spanish lost the fishing bank of Terra Nova. These enterprises were supported by the Enlightened who tried to find new sources of development for the people. However, like other initiatives at this time, it never became a reality. The result was several injured whales and a few young cetaceans but the profitability was always low.
Monitoring C5aR2 Expression Using a Floxed tdTomato-C5aR2 Knock-In Mouse

The biological significance of C5a receptor [(C5aR)2/C5L2], a seven-transmembrane receptor binding C5a and C5adesArg, remains ill-defined. Specific ligation of C5aR2 inhibits C5a-induced ERK1/2 activation, strengthening the view that C5aR2 regulates C5aR1-mediated effector functions. Although C5aR2 and C5aR1 are often coexpressed, a detailed picture of C5aR2 expression in murine cells and tissues is still lacking. To close this gap, we generated a floxed tandem dye (td)Tomato–C5aR2 knock-in mouse that we used to track C5aR2 expression in tissue-residing and circulating immune cells. We found the strongest C5aR2 expression in the brain, bone marrow, and airways. All myeloid-derived cells expressed C5aR2, although with different intensities. C5aR2 expression in blood and tissue neutrophils was strong and homogeneous. Specific ligation of C5aR2 in neutrophils from tdTomato–C5aR2 mice blocked C5a-driven ERK1/2 phosphorylation, demonstrating functionality of C5aR2 in the reporter mice. In contrast to neutrophils, we found tissue-specific differences in C5aR2 expression in eosinophils, macrophages, and dendritic cell subsets. Naive and activated T cells stained negative for C5aR2, whereas B cells from different tissues homogeneously expressed C5aR2. Also, NK cell subsets in blood and spleen strongly expressed C5aR2. Activation of C5aR2 in NK cells suppressed IL-12/IL-18–induced IFN-γ production. Intratracheal IL-33 challenge resulted in decreased C5aR2 expression in pulmonary eosinophils and monocyte-derived dendritic cells. In summary, we provide a detailed map of murine C5aR2 immune cell expression in different tissues under steady-state conditions and upon pulmonary inflammation. The C5aR2 knock-in mouse will help to reliably track and conditionally delete C5aR2 expression in experimental models of inflammation.
Relationships among depressive symptoms, benefit-finding, optimism, and positive affect in multiple sclerosis patients after psychotherapy for depression.

OBJECTIVE While many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience psychological problems, such as depression, benefit-finding is commonly reported. Using the Broaden-and-Build Model of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2001) and the Expectancy-Value Model of optimism (Carver & Scheier, 1998) as two related, yet, distinct conceptual frameworks, this study examined positive affect and optimism as mediators of the relationship between improved depression and enhanced benefit-finding. DESIGN MS patients (N=127), who participated in a larger, randomized clinical trial comparing two types of telephone psychotherapy for depression, were assessed at baseline, midtherapy (8 weeks), end of therapy (16 weeks), and 6- and 12-month posttherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Depression was measured with a telephone administered version of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression; Positive Affect was measured with the Positive Affect Subscale from the Positive and Negative Affect Scale; Optimism was measured with the Life Orientation Test-Revised; Benefit-Finding was measured with the revised version of the Stress-Related Growth Scale. RESULTS Data were analyzed with multilevel random-effects models, controlling for time since MS diagnosis and type of treatment. Improved depression was associated with increased benefit-finding over time. The relationship between improved depression and benefit-finding was significantly mediated by both increased optimism and increased positive affect. CONCLUSION Findings provide support to both theoretical models. Positivity appears to promote benefit-finding in MS.
Wind turbine failure analysis for wind farm at Devgarh in Rajasthan

Wind turbine failure analysis is necessary for efficient operation and maintenance of machines in a wind farm. An analytical study related to wind turbine failures was done for a wind farm at Devgarh in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan, India. Data related to failures were collected from the maintenance log book at wind farm site, and comparison between all the installed wind turbines was done. On analyzing failures of wind turbine components during the three years period, it was observed that failure duration of yaw motor was highest, followed by failure duration of gear-oil pump, and then failure duration of hydraulic unit of blade tip air brakes system.
Relationship between health literacy, health status, and healthy behaviors among older adults in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Health literacy is a measure of an individual's ability to read, comprehend, and act on medical instructions. Limited health literacy can reduce the adults’ ability to comprehend and use basic health-related materials, such as prescription, food labels, health education pamphlets, articles, appointment slips, and health insurance plans, which can affect their ability to take appropriate and timely health care action. Nowadays, low health literacy is considered a worldwide health threat. So, the purpose of this study was to assess health literacy level in older adults and to investigate the relationships between health literacy and health status, health care utilization, and health preventive behaviors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 354 older adults was conducted in Isfahan. The method of sampling was clustering. Health literacy was measured using the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Data were collected using home interviewing. Health status was measured based on self-rated general health. Health care utilization was measured based on self-reported outpatient clinic visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations, and health preventive behaviors were measured based on self-reported preventive health services use. Results: Approximately 79.6% of adults were found to have inadequate health literacy. They tended to be older, had fewer years of schooling, lower household income, and were females. Inadequate health literacy was associated with poorer general health (P < 0.001). Health literacy level was negatively associated with outpatient visits (P = 0.003) and hospitalization (P = 0.01). No significant association was found between health literacy level and emergency room utilization. Self-reported lack of PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test (P < 0.001) and fecal occult blood test (FOBT; P = 0.003) was higher among individuals with inadequate health literacy than those with adequate health literacy. No significant association was found between health literacy level and mammogram in the last 2 years. Conclusion: Low health literacy is more prevalent in older adults. It indicates the importance of health literacy issue in health promotion. So, with simple educational materials and effective interventions for low health literacy group, we can improve health promotion in the society and mitigate the adverse health effects of low health literacy.