Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gesture Decoding Using ECoG Signals from Human Sensorimotor Cortex: A Pilot Study

Electrocorticography (ECoG) has been demonstrated as a promising neural signal source for developing brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). However, many concerns about the disadvantages brought by large craniotomy for implanting the ECoG grid limit the clinical translation of ECoG-based BMIs. In this study, we collected clinical ECoG signals from the sensorimotor cortex of three epileptic participants when they performed hand gestures. The ECoG power spectrum in hybrid frequency bands was extracted to build a synchronous real-time BMI system. High decoding accuracy of the three gestures was achieved in both offline analysis (85.7%, 84.5%, and 69.7%) and online tests (80% and 82%, tested on two participants only). We found that the decoding performance was maintained even with a subset of channels selected by a greedy algorithm. More importantly, these selected channels were mostly distributed along the central sulcus and clustered in the area of 3 interelectrode squares. Our findings of the reduced and clustered distribution of ECoG channels further supported the feasibility of clinically implementing the ECoG-based BMI system for the control of hand gestures.
Biomechanisch sichere Geschwindigkeitsregelung für die Mensch-Roboter Interaktion

Zusammenfassung In diesem Artikel befassen wir uns mit dem Problem eine für den Menschen sichere Robotergeschwindigkeit zu erzeugen. Hierfür untersuchen wir die Relation zwischen Kollisionsmasse, -geschwindigkeit und -geometrie, sowie der damit verbundenen Verletzung im medizinischen Sinne. Diese Einsichten werden derart repräsentiert, dass ein biomechanisch sicherer Geschwindigkeitsregler abgeleitet werden kann. Hierfür wertet der Algorithmus die reflektierte Trägheit, Geschwindigkeit und Oberflächengeometrie an möglichen Kollisionspunkten entlang der Roboterstruktur in Echtzeit aus.
The fragile X: a scanning electron microscope study.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used to study the fragile X chromosome. The fragile site appears as an isochromatid gap in the majority of cases, confirming light microscope (LM) observations. SEM has allowed a more precise location of the fragile site to the Xq27 . 3 region.
Radial basis function network using intuitionistic fuzzy C means for software cost estimation

Software development has become an important activity for many modern organisations. Software engineers have become more and more concerned about accurately predicting the cost and quality of software product under development. In the last few decades many software cost estimation models have been developed but no model has proved to be successful at effectively and consistently predicting software development cost. In this paper we propose the use of Radial Basis Function Network RBFN for software cost estimation using Intuitionistic Fuzzy C Means IFCM with Gaussian potential functions. This technique selects the most desirable cluster centres, thereby increasing the clustering accuracy which results in improved software cost estimations. A comparison of RBFN using IFCM, Fuzzy C Means FCM and conventional COCOMO model is presented. The datasets used in our study are the COCOMO81 dataset and NASA93 dataset. Experimental results are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Comparison of the Strength and Stability of Six Techniques of Cerclage Wire Fixation for Fractures

Summary: An in vitro comparison of six methods of cerclage wire fixation was performed using 1-mm-diameter stainless steel wire. A testing apparatus was designed to simulate the tensile forces on a cerclage wire around a femoral shaft fracture. The hairpin cerclage knot that we describe generated significantly higher initial compressive force (p<0.001) and had significantly higher tensile strength (p<0.02) compared with the other five methods.
Are we missing important areas in pelagic marine conservation? Redefining conservation hotspots in the ocean

The protection of biodiversity is one of the most important goals in terrestrial and marine conservation. Marine conservation approaches have traditionally followed the example of terrestrial initiatives. However, patterns, processes, habitats, and threats differ greatly between the 2 systems — and even within the marine environment. As a result, there is still a lack of con- gruence as to how to best identify and prioritize conservation approaches moving from the static terrestrial and nearshore realm into a more fluid, 3-dimensional pelagic realm. To address this problem, we investigate how the conservation science literature has been used to inform and guide management strategies in the marine system from coastal to pelagic environments. As cumulative impacts on the health of the oceans continue to increase, conservation priorities have shifted to include highly dynamic areas of the pelagic marine system. By evaluating whether pri- orities match science with current place-based management approaches (i.e. marine protected areas, MPAs), we identify important gaps that must be considered in current conservation schemes. Effective pelagic MPA design requires monitoring and evaluation across multiple phys- ical, biological, and human dimensions. Because many threatened and exploited marine species move through an ephemeral and ever-changing environment, our results highlight the need to move beyond traditional, 2-dimensional approaches to marine conservation, and into dynamic management approaches that incorporate metrics of biodiversity as well as oceanographic fea- tures known to promote multilevel, trophic productivity.
Occurrence of a beta-lactam-inducible penicillin-binding protein in methicillin-resistant staphylococci

The mechanism of methicillin resistance was investigated in methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) and in variants which had lost methicillin resistance. Phase-contrast microscopy showed that cells swelled at low concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics in both MRS and variants which had lost methicillin resistance. Cells of variants which had lost methicillin resistance were lysed easily when higher concentrations of antibiotic were used. In contrast, MRS cells remained swollen at even higher concentrations of antibiotics. Furthermore, bacterial growth was inhibited at antibiotic concentrations much lower than MICs for MRS. Examination of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in MRS revealed that a new PBP-2' (molecular weight, 74,000) was induced in large quantity by exposure to beta-lactams. PBP-2' was produced constitutively in variants of MRS which had lost a penicillinase plasmid. The induction of PBP-2' by beta-lactams was not detected in variants which had lost methicillin resistance. High concentrations of beta-lactam were required for saturation of PBP-2'. The optimum antibiotic concentration for the induction of PBP-2' varied with the beta-lactam used as the inducer, and PBP-2' was produced in a larger amount at 32 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. From these results, we suggest that the mechanism of methicillin resistance depends on the induction of PBP-2', which may function as a detour enzyme for PBP-2 or PBP-3 or may be a particular enzyme involved in peptidoglycan synthesis.
Regulation of intracellular trafficking of human CD1d by association with MHC class II molecules

CD1 family members are antigen‐presenting molecules capable of presenting bacterial or synthetic glycolipids to T cells. Here we show that a subset of human CD1d molecules are associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, both on the cell surface and in the late endosomal/lysosomal compartments where class II molecules transiently accumulate during transport. The interaction is initiated in the endoplasmic reticulum with class II–invariant chain complexes and appears to be maintained throughout the class II trafficking pathway. A truncated form of CD1d which lacks its cytoplasmic YXXZ internalization motif is transported to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments in the presence of class II molecules. Furthermore, the same CD1d deletion mutant is targeted to lysosomal compartments in HeLa cells expressing class II molecules and invariant chain by transfection. The deletion mutant was also found in lysosomal compartments in HeLa cells expressing only the p33 form of the invariant chain. These data suggest that the intracellular trafficking pathway of CD1d may be altered by class II molecules and invariant chain induced during inflammation.
Surveillance of antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

coefficients between the amount of tobacco consumed daily and the sialic acid concentrations were 0 10 (p=0 04) for men and 0 01 (p=0 90) for women (nonsmokers were assumed to consume 0 g). Among men the sialic acid concentration adjusted for age was 0-69 g/l in non-smokers and 7 1 g/l in smokers (p=009). The corresponding figures for women were 0-71 and 0-71 g/l respectively (p=096). There was a significant positive correlation between age and sialic acid concentration in male non-smokers and in female smokers and non-smokers. Young male smokers, however, had almost the same sialic acid concentration as old male smokers (figure). Consequently, a decreasing difference in sialic acid concentration between male smokers and non-smokers was observed with increasing age, but this trend was not significant (p=0 15).
Responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to sedimentation

Unprecedented development along tropical shorelines is causing severe degradation of coral reefs primarily from increases in sedimentation. Sediment particles smother reef organisms and reduce light available for photosynthesis. Excessive sedmentation can adversely affect the structure and function of the coral reef ecosystem by altering both physical and biological processes. Mean sediment rates and suspended sediment concentrations for reefs not subject to stresses from human activities are < 1 to ca 10 mg cm-* d-' and < 10 mg I-', respectively. Chronic rates and concentrations above these values are 'hlgh'. Heavy sedmentation is associated with fewer coral species, less live coral, lower coral growth rates, greater abundance of branching forms, reduced coral recruitment, decreased calcification, decreased net productivity of corals, and slower rates of reef accretion. Coral species have different capabilities of clearing themselves of sediment particles or surviving lower light levels. Sedlment rejection is a function of morphology, orientation, growth habit, and behavior; and of the amount and type of se lment . Coral growth rates are not simple indicators of sediment levels. Decline of tropical fisheries is partially attributable to deterioration of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves from sedimentation. Sedimentation can alter the complex interactions between fish and their reef habitat. For example, sedimentation can lull major reef-building corals, leading to eventual collapse of the reef framework. A decline in the amount of shelter the reef provides leads to reductions in both number of individuals and number of species of fish. Currently, we are unable to rigorously predict the responses of coral reefs and reef organisms to excessive sedimentation from coastal development and other sources. Given information on the amount of sediment which will be introduced into the reef environment, the coral community composition, the depth of the reef, the percent coral cover, and the current patterns, we should be able to predict the consequences of a particular activity. Models of physical processes (e.g. sediment transport) must be complemented with better understanding of organism and ecosystem responses to sediment stress. Specifically, we need data on the threshold levels for reef orgarusms and for the reef ecosystem as a whole the levels above which sedimentation has lethal effects for particular species and above which normal functioning of the reef ceases. Additional field studies on the responses of reef organisms to both temgenous and calcium carbonate sediments are necessary. To effectively assess trends on coral reefs, e.g. changes in abundance and spatial arrangement of dominant benthic organisms, scientists must start using standardized monitoring methods. Long-term data sets are critical for tracking these complex ecosystems.
Effective subspace detection based on cross cumulative residual entropy for hyperspectral image classification

Remote sensing hyperspectral images are blessings of technology through which the ground objects can be detected effectively with the cost of computer processing. For classification of hyperspectral images finding an effective subspace is very important to classify them efficiently. In recent years, many researchers have drawn their interest to extract data more effectively from hyperspectral dataset. In this research, an approach has been proposed to find the effective subspace by measuring the relevance of individual features through Cross Cumulative Residual Entropy from the Principal Component images. The Support Vector Machine has been used as the classifier for the assessment of the feature reduction performance. Experiment has been completed on real hyperspectral dataset and achieved 97% of accuracy which is better than the standard approaches studied.
Research in creativity and GSS

Recent IS literature points to a growing interest in the subject of creativity. After some isolated attempts in the 1980's by researchers, systematic efforts by Couger (1996) and others have yielded much useful creativity research in the 1990s pertinent to the field of information systems. Much less work relevant to creativity has been done in the topic area of group support systems (GSS); we review this research and prepare the ground for stimulating more extensive studies.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of the Adolescent Patient With Idiopathic Scoliosis Before Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion: A Prospective, Double-Blinded Study of 140 Patients

Study Design. This was a prospective, double-blinded study of the magnetic resonance imaging findings in the neural axis of 140 neurologically normal typical adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis who were scheduled for scoliosis surgery. Objective. To detect the prevalence of spinal cord and neural axis abnormalities in this select population. Summary of Background Data. No similar study exists, although a few related studies were published. Methods. Full-length neural axis magnetic resonance imaging studies were reviewed independently by two radiologists who specialize in the spine. Results. Only four patients had a definite abnormality-one a small thoracic syrinx and the other three with a Chiari I malformation. None of these required neurosurgery. All 140 patients had their scoliosis surgery without necrologic compromise. Conclusion. Routine magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of neurologically normal, typical adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis is not warranted, based on this study.
Private Equity in Italia: caratteristiche del mercato e ruolo per le imprese

italiano Il fine del presente contributo è triplice. Primo, mostrare come le ipotesi adottate nella teoria della finanza di impresa debbano essere modificate affinchè siano applicabili al contesto del private equity. Secondo, illustrare le caratteristiche del mercato italiano del private equity in termini di investimenti, operatori, rccolta dei fondi, disinvestimenti e performance. Si sono utilizzati i dati dell’AIFI (Associazione Italiana del Private Equity e del Venture Capital) e del PEM (Private Equity Monitoring). Terzo, dare conto del ruolo che l’attività di private equity può avere per l’impresa. In particolare, i risultati di alcuni studi internazionali mostrano che gli investimenti in private equity: facilitano la crescita delle imprese; migliorano la corporate governance; aiutano l’impresa nei momenti di crisi; migliorano la comunicazione di tipo economico e quella finanziaria.
Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of the conversion of the 7Fe into the 8Fe form of ferredoxin III from Desulfovibrio africanus. Identification of a [4Fe-4S] cluster with one non-cysteine ligand.

Desulfovibrio africanus ferredoxin III is a protein (Mr 6585) containing one [3Fe-4S]1+,0 and one [4Fe-4S]2+,1+ core cluster when aerobically isolated. The amino acid sequence contains only seven cysteine residues, the minimum required to ligand these two clusters. Cyclic voltammery by means of direct electrochemistry at a pyrolytic-graphite-'edge' electrode promoted by neomycin shows that, when reduced, the [3Fe-4S]0 centre reacts rapidly with Fe(II) ion to form a [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster. The latter, which can be reduced at a redox potential similar to that of the other [4Fe-4S] cluster, must include non-thiolate ligation. We propose that the carboxylate side chain of aspartic acid-14 is the most likely candidate, since this amino acid occupies the position of a cysteine residue in the sequence typical of an 8Fe ferredoxin. The magnetic properties at liquid-He temperature of this novel cluster, studied by low-temperature magnetic-c.d. and e.p.r. spectroscopy, are diamagnetic in the oxidized state and S = 3/2 in the one-electron-reduced state. This cluster provides a plausible model for the ligation states of the [4Fe-4S]1+ core in the S = 3/2 cluster of the iron protein of nitrogenase and in Bacillus subtilis glutamine:phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase.
THE ASSOCIATION AMONG YOUNG/MIDDLE-AGED MEN BETWEEN DRUNKEN DRIVING, PSYCHIATRIC IN-PATIENT CARE CRIMINALITY AND SICKNESS ABSENCE/DISABILITY PENSION

A number of studies have found an association between high-level alcohol consumption, increased sickness absence and disability pensions. Information was obtained from a group of individuals about alcohol consumption habits and other aspects of lifestyle when they began military service in 1969-70. This study examines the role of subsequent hazardous alcohol habits, as indicated by records of drunken driving and in-patient care, with alcohol-related diagnosis for a disability pension in these individuals. The results indicated that the risk of being granted a disability pension or having highly increased sickness absence increased over 3 times if there was a drink driving offence. For the covering abstract see IRRD 893732.
A novel multimode digital control approach for single-stage flyback power supplies with power factor correction and fast output voltage regulation

This paper describes a novel digital control approach to achieve the unity power factor and fast output voltage regulation for single-stage single-switch AC-DC flyback power supplies. This intelligent digital approach achieves the combined benefits of high performance, low cost and high reliability in a single controller. In this solution, the power converter is constructed with the simplest and least expensive basic flyback topology that does not require a bulk capacitor to store energy on its primary-side. The converter operates in various modes according to the line input voltage and the output load. For power factor correction, there are two operation modes: critical discontinuous conduction mode (CDCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Two other operation modes apply to the output voltage regulation: fast transient mode during load transient and pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode at light load. The IC incorporating these innovative solutions have been introduced by iWatt. In addition to describing this approach, this paper gives the experimental results obtained on a 90W (19.5 V 4.62 A) prototype
Effects of Menopause on Bone Mineral Density in Women with Endemic Fluorosis

Purpose The effects of menopause on bone mineral density (BMD) in women with endemic fluorosis were investigated. Materials and Methods Eighty healthy Turkish women who lived in and around the city of Isparta were selected randomly and enrolled in this study. They were separated into four groups: group 1, 20 premenopausal women with regular menstrual cycles and endemic fluorosis; group 2, 20 postmenopausal women with endemic fluorosis; group 3, 20 premenopausal normal women constituting one control group; and group 4, 20 postmenopausal normal women constituting the other control group. Bone mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine and proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results In the premenopausal group, BMD values of vertebrae L2-L4 and Ward’s triangle in women with endemic fluorosis were significantly greater than the respective values in women without endemic fluorosis (P = 0.024, P = 0.036). There were no differences between the groups in BMD values of the femoral neck (P = 0.156) and intertrochanteric area (P = 0.076). The BMD values of vertebrae L2-L4, the femoral neck, intertrochanteric area, and Ward’s triangle in the postmenopausal women with endemic fluorosis were significantly greater than those of postmenopausal women without endemic fluorosis (P < 0.001, P = 0.015, P = 0.002, and P < 0.001, respectively). The BMD values of vertebrae L2-L4, the femoral neck, intertrochanteric area, and Ward’s triangle in the premenopausal women with endemic fluorosis were significantly greater than those of postmenopausal women with endemic fluorosis (P = 0.010, P = 0.002, P = 0.004, and P = 0.010, respectively). The BMD values of the sites noted for the premenopausal controls were significantly greater than those of postmenopausal controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Postmenopausal BMD values in both endemic fluorosis and controls were significantly less than premenopausal BMD values. Although the differences were less prominent in women with endemic fluorosis, menopause is still the major determinant of BMD in the spine and femur.
Association of NIDDM and Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of NIDDM with hearing loss in a large population-based study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from population-based longitudinal studies of aging conducted in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, were used in these analyses. Hearing thresholds were determined by pure-tone air- and bone-conduction audiometry performed by trained technicians following American Speech-Language-Hearing Association specifications. Hearing loss was defined as the pure-tone average of the frequencies 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz > 25 decibels hearing level in the worse ear. Diabetes status was determined by self-report of physician-diagnosed diabetes or by elevated glucose or glycated hemoglobin levels at examination. RESULTS Of 3,571 study participants, 344 were classified as having NIDDM. Subjects with NIDDM were more likely to have a hearing loss than were subjects without diabetes (59 vs. 44%). After results were adjusted for age, this difference was not statistically significant. After individuals with hearing loss patterns inconsistent with presbycusis were excluded, there was an association between NIDDM and hearing loss when controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.05–1.88). There was no association between duration of diabetes or glycemic control and hearing loss. Individuals with NIDDM and nephropathy were more likely to have a hearing loss than were those with NIDDM but no nephropathy (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.04–5.00). CONCLUSIONS These data are suggestive of a weak association between NIDDM and hearing loss.