Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A paradigm shift for rehabilitation robotics

Therapeutic robots enhance clinician productivity in facilitating patient recovery. In this article, we presented an overview of the remarkable growth in the activities in the area of therapeutic robotics and of experiences with our devices. We briefly review the published clinical literature in this emerging field and our initial clinical results in stroke. However, we also report our initial efforts that go beyond stroke, broadening the potential population that might benefit from this class of technology by discussing case studies of applications to other neurological diseases. We will also highlight the underexploited potential of this technology as an evaluation tool.
The Accuracy of C-Reactive Protein, Procalcitonin, and s-TREM-1 in the Prediction of Serious Bacterial Infection in Neonates

In this prospective study, we examined the usefulness of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (s-TREM-1), and procalcitonin (PCT), in identifying serious bacterial infection (SBI) among neonates. Infants younger than 3 months with suspected SBI were included and serum concentrations of CRP, PCT, and s-TREM-1 were determined. Results. A total of 112 patients (19 with SBI and 93 with negative cultures) were evaluated. There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups regarding age, presence of fever, and serum concentrations of the different biomarkers. Performance of the different biomarkers were as follows: The sensitivities were 45%, 55%, and 82% for CRP, PCT, and s-TREM-1, respectively, whereas the specificities we 82%, 75%, and 48% for CRP, PCT, and s-TREM-1, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.6, 0.63, and 0.61, for CRP, PCT, and s-TREM-1, respectively. Conclusions. In real-life pediatric practice, none of the tested biomarkers was sufficiently accurate to serve as a reliable indicator for the identification of SBI in neonates.
Protective Effect of the Cochlear Efferent System During Noise Exposure

ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to confirm the hypothesis that the cochlear efferent system is involved in the mechanisms underlying the “toughening” effect at high frequencies. The toughening effect is defined as a progressive threshold shift reduction when repeated exposures to the same noise are applied. Vestibular neurectomy was performed through a posterior cranial fossa approach in six healthy pigmented guinea pigs, and it assured the interruption of both crossed and uncrossed olivocochlear bundles to one ear only, before their entrance in the internal auditory meatus. The animals were then implanted with permanent electrodes for the electrocochleographic findings. Ten days after the operation the animals were exposed to octave‐band toughening noise, centered at 4 kHz, at 85‐dB SPL, for 10 consecutive days, 6 hours on/18 hours off. The hearing threshold was registered before and at the end of each exposure session. The behavior of the hearing threshold in the operated ears was then compared to that of the controlateral, nonoperated ears. Complete recovery from TS in the control ear began after four days of exposure, whereas in the operated ear hearing loss increased to day 7 (55 dB), with only a partial reduction (45 dB) beyond ten days of exposure.
Trajectory optimization for constrained UAVs: A Virtual Target Vehicle approach

In this paper we propose a novel approach for trajectory optimization for constrained Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). With regard to the classical trajectory optimization problem, we take a Virtual Target Vehicle (VTV) perspective by introducing a virtual target that plays the role of an additional control input. Based on a nonlinear projection operator optimal control technique and extending the concepts of the maneuver regulation framework, we propose a trajectory optimization based strategy to compute, for any given desired path with a specified desired speed profile, the (local) optimal feasible trajectory that best approximates the desired one. The optimization procedure takes explicitly into account the extra flexibility of the VTV by changing (during the transient period) the velocity of the virtual target with the benefit of improving the convergence of the solver to obtain the optimal feasible path, and also avoid the singularities that occur in some maneuver regulation techniques described in the literature. We provide numerical computations for three testing scenarios that illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Structure and duplication of the centrosome

The centrosome has evolved in multicellular organisms from the basal body/axoneme of the unicellular ancestor ([Azimzadeh and Bornens, 2004][1]). It plays a major role in organizing the microtubule cytoskeleton in animal cells. During interphase, the centrosome organizes an astral array of
Recombination induced by triple-helix-targeted DNA damage in mammalian cells

Gene therapy has been hindered by the low frequency of homologous recombination in mammalian cells. To stimulate recombination, we investigated the use of triple-helix-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) to target DNA damage to a selected site within cells. By treating cells with TFOs linked to psoralen, recombination was induced within a simian virus 40 vector carrying two mutant copies of the supF tRNA reporter gene. Gene conversion events, as well as mutations at the target site, were also observed. The variety of products suggests that multiple cellular pathways can act on the targeted damage, and data showing that the triple helix can influence these pathways are presented. The ability to specifically induce recombination or gene conversion within mammalian cells by using TFOs may provide a new research tool and may eventually lead to novel applications in gene therapy.
Exercise, bone mass and bone size in prepubertal boys: one‐year data from the pediatric osteoporosis prevention study

This non‐randomized prospective controlled study evaluates a daily school‐based exercise intervention program of 40 min/school day for 1 year in a population‐based cohort of 81 boys aged 7–9 years. Controls were 57 age‐matched boys assigned to the general school curriculum of 60 min/week. Bone mineral content (BMC; g) and areal bone mineral density (aBMD; g/cm2) were measured with dual X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the total body, the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and the femoral neck (FN). Bone width for L3 and FN was calculated from the lumbar spine and hip scan. No differences between the groups were found at baseline in age, anthropometrics or bone parameters. The mean annual gain in L3 BMC was 5.9 percentage points higher (P<0.001), L3 aBMD a mean 2.1 percentage points higher (P=0.01) and L3 width a mean 2.3 percentage points higher (P=0.001) in the cases than in the controls. When all individuals were included in one cohort, the total duration of exercise including both school‐based and spare‐time training correlated with L3 BMC (r=0.26, P=0.003), L3 aBMD (r=0.18, P=0.04) and L3 width (r=0.24, P=0.006). The study suggests that exercise in pre‐pubertal boys influences the accrual of bone mineral and bone width and that a 1‐year school‐based exercise program confers skeletal benefits, at least in the lumbar spine.
What Do We Know about Teacher Pay-for-Performance ?

Research has shown that teachers and teacher expertise are the most important factors related to student learning and achievements (Darling-Hammond 1997). However, the importance of teachers to student achievement has not always been reflected in how teachers are compensated. Literature describing the current reform efforts that link teacher performance to compensation and other incentive strategies reveals the following key takeaways:
Tomateiro para processamento industrial: irrigação e fertirrigação por gotejamento.

Sistema por gotejamento. Qualidade e tratamento da agua. Necessidade de aguas das plantas. Manejo da agua de irrigacao. Fertilizante para fertirrigacao. Manejo da fertirrigacao. Estado nutricional das plantas. Sintese das recomendacoes.
Three‐dimensional structural organization of layer I of the human cerebral cortex: A golgi study

The three‐dimensional structural organization of layer I of the developing and adult human cerebral cortex has been investigated by using sagittal, transverse, and tangential rapid Golgi and Klüver‐Barrera preparations. The actual morphology of its fundamental neuron—the Cajal‐Retzius cell (C‐R)—is established. These large and solitary cells are horizontal multipolar neurons characterized by: (1) long horizontal dendrites that radiate in all directions within a tangential plane parallel to the pial surface, (2) long horizontal axonic collaterals that radiate in all directions within layer I middle level, and (3) a descending axonic process that reaches the lower level, becomes a long tangential fiber—and eventually a myelinated one—and projects in any direction within this level. In cortical ontogenesis, its dendrites, axonic collaterals and terminal axon undergo a progressive multipolar “horizontalization” extending throughout the surface of the expanding cerebral cortex. The neuron's body and main dendrites will be found only in some areas, whereas its axonic collaterals and terminal tangential axon should be found throughout the cerebral cortex. This developmental feature explains the presence of two—middle and lower—plexuses in layer I, composed of the axonic collaterals and the terminal tangential axons of C‐R cells, respectively. It is emphasized that the basic morphology of the C‐R cell remains essentially unchanged in the course of cortical ontogenesis and that the neuron persists in the adult cerebral cortex. Whereas the C‐R cell is the basic neuron of layer I, the pyramidal cells dendritic bouquets represent its larger and main receptive surface (the only one early in development). By the 30th week of gestation, a C‐R cell could establish: (1) proximal contacts, through its axonic collaterals, with all dendritic bouquets within a ∼ 350 μm radius, and (2) distant contacts, through its tangential axon, with dendritic bouquets within a narrow sagittal, transverse, or diagonal territory several mm long. In cortical ontogenesis, the C‐R cells' functional territories continue to expand throughout the surface of the cerebral cortex and possibly overlap with each other, It is proposed that the C‐R cell receives inputs from primitive (mesencephalic? ) corticipetal fibers and that it transmits the same kind of information (perhaps a basal tone? ) to the dendritic bouquets of all pyramidal neurons throughout the cerebral cortex regardless of their location, cortical depth, or functional role.
FDG-PET/CT in Early Assessment of Response to Therapy in Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma

Purpose of the study: was to estimate the value of early assessment of response in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (PHL) patients using FDG-PET/CT. Methods: prospective analysis of 195 patients presented in Children’s Cancer Hospital, Egypt (CCHE) with pathologically proven untreated PHL, they underwent18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) early after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (PET 2). This chemotherapy regimen consists of concurrent treatment with Adriamycin, Bleomycin ,Vinblastine & Dacarbazine (ABVD). Analysis of PET 2 was done according to the Deauville score (5-point score) with cut-off 3-4 between Minimal Residual Uptake (MRU) and positive result. Results: Follow-up was done for mean period of 2.9 years (range, 0.6 to 5.2 years). Visual assessment of PET 2 was found to be significantly correlated with Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS) in advanced stages PHL (intermediate and high risk patients); the estimate for OS and PFS was 83.3% and 68.8 respectively in the PET-positive (PET +ve) group compared with 97.3% and 92.6|% respectively in the PET-negative (PET – ve) group (p-value <0.0001 and 0.0001). Conclusion: Early assessment of FDGPET/CT after 2 cycles of ABVD in PHL shows potential value in prediction of OS and PFS in advanced stages (intermediate and high risk patients).
Coplanar waveguide coupled with TE/sub 01/spl gamma// mode dielectric resonator

This paper newly proposes that coupling between a coplanar waveguide (CPW) and a TE/sub 01/spl gamma//mode dielectric resonator (DR) can be realized for a parallel resonant characteristic as the DR coupled with a microstrip line. Coupling characteristics have been investigated by placing the DR on a special support above the CPW and by moving the DR away from the center of a slot of the CPW to the ground plane. FEM simulation (HFSS) results in terms of S-parameters agree well with measurement results. Finally, loaded Q values of the DR coupled with a CPW are compared with those of the DR coupled with a microstrip line. The comparison demonstrates that a DR coupled with a CPW has slightly higher loaded Q than that coupled with a microstrip line has.
Adverse Effects of Grape Seed Extract Supplement: A Clinical Case and Long-Term Follow-Up

ABSTRACT Grape seed extract (GSE) supplement use is becoming more popular today for its potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic role. We report a 49-year-old male who presented with recurrent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and acute weakness following GSE use. A thorough medical workup ensued and no causes were identified clinically, procedurally, or with imaging. Symptoms resolved after GSE discontinuation and the patient remained symptom-free 5 years later. This case illustrates the paucity of documented detailed clinical cases and lack of controlled trials detailing a thorough and reproducible adverse effect profile of GSE supplement.
Compositional Gradients in Cu(In,Ga)Se$_{\bf 2}$ Thin Films for Solar Cells and Their Effects on Structural Defects

Cu(In,Ga)Se$_2$ (CIGSe) absorber layers used in thin-film solar cells exhibit, when grown in a multistage process, compositional gradients of Ga and In. In this study, the correlations between the Ga gradient and the microstructure are studied by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), allowing the determination of structural defects and elemental distributions at identical sample positions. The occurrence of linear defects (dislocations) and planar defects (stacking faults and microtwins) of CIGSe layers was studied by means of TEM images. The Ga distributions obtained from EDX elemental distribution maps and structural parameters from the literature were used to calculate the lattice parameters c and a and the gradient dc/ dx perpendicular to the substrate. We found a correlation between the magnitude of dc/dx and the occurrence of dislocations within individual large grains. From the presented results, a threshold value of the Ga gradient of 12–13at. %/μm can be estimated for the formation of misfit dislocations.
Mosaic analysis of cell rearrangements during ureteric bud branching in dissociated/reaggregated kidney cultures and in vivo

Background: Cell rearrangements mediated by GDNF/Ret signaling underlie the formation of the ureteric bud (UB) tip domain during kidney development. Whether FGF signaling also influences these rearrangements is unknown. Chimeric embryos are a powerful tool for examining the genetic controls of cellular behaviors, but generating chimeras by traditional methods is expensive and laborious. Dissociated fetal kidney cells can reorganize to form complex structures including branching UB tubules, providing an easier method to generate renal chimeras. Results: Cell behaviors in normal or chimeric kidney cultures were investigated using time‐lapse imaging. In Spry1‐/‐ ↔ wild‐type chimeras, cells lacking Spry1 (a negative regulator of Ret and FGF receptor signaling) preferentially occupied the UB tips, as previously observed in traditional chimeras, thus validating this experimental system. In Fgfr2UB‐/‐ ↔ wild‐type chimeras, the wild‐type cells preferentially occupied the tips. Independent evidence for a role of Fgfr2 in UB tip formation was obtained using Mosaic mutant Analysis with Spatial and Temporal control of Recombination (MASTR). Conclusions: Dissociation and reaggregation of fetal kidney cells of different genotypes, with suitable fluorescent markers, provides an efficient way to analyze cell behaviors in chimeric cultures. FGF/Fgfr2 signaling promotes UB cell rearrangements that form the tip domain, similarly to GDNF/Ret signaling. Developmental Dynamics 245:483–496, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Special Issue on “New Advances in Similarity-Based Systems and Applications”

Similarity-based systems are considered to be of central interest for artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences research (Hahn and Chater 1998; Sloman and Rips 1998). Similarity-based systems describe analogies in human reasoning (Pothos 2005). The basic idea behind similarity-based systems is that, in general, reasoning concerned with either comparing different situations or analyzing new situations depends on the similarity between one or more past situations (Hahn and Chater 1998; Stanfill and Waltz 1986). The main theoretical research approaches on similarity-based systems are founded on mathematical concepts; basically on distance or metrics studies and topologies. However, applications of similarity-based systems are focused mainly on the area of classification and learning, ranging from case-based reasoning studies and implicit learning to online recommender systems (Burkhard 2001; Bridge and Ferguson 2002). There are several challenges that could be highlighted in this area of research: from a theoretical point of view, challenges related to the use of nonmonotonic logics to find new approaches that allow us to capture the uncertainty defined in human reasoning and decision-making;
Optimization of test procedures based on OBD system specific field data

This paper shows the results of the research work with regard to optimization of test procedures based on systematic analysis of field behavior. The presented approach outlines all important steps of the overall process, the statistical methods and algorithms used with the help of an example from the automotive industry. The example is based on the data gathered during various rides with four different vehicles (BMW, Chevrolet, Opel and Peugeot) and stored with a data logger connected to an OBD II port. An important part of the approach is the mathematical and statistical analysis of stored signals, which are divided into two groups with regard to the characteristics of their dynamics. Furthermore, the importance and additional benefit of bi- and multivariate analysis of signals is summarized. The results of the signal analysis with all important information are prepared for further analysis of the distinctive functions of car fleets with the rule learning algorithms. The analysis is performed with three different algorithms (NNge, JRip and J48) which provide slightly different results. The performance of all three algorithms to the applied problem is discussed in detail. Nevertheless, the main result shows that the predefined rule (with 5, 10 and 15 attributes) can be found easily with the NNge algorithm. This means that the specific set of operating conditions (OCs) at which the claimed car operates can be distinguished from the rest of the fleet. The assumption for the set of OCs is that the specific, searched information is forwarded to the OBD II interface and stored by the data logger. The obtained set of OCs forms the basis for the optimization of the test procedures and update of the operating conditions of a certain product. The major steps of the optimization of the testing with regard to the present work are as follows: 1. Collect the adequate OBD data 2. Perform the analysis of all OBD signals in order to obtain the operating conditions of the product 3. Compare the gathered information of claimed and not-claimed vehicles to detect the distinctive features 4. Optimize the test conditions with regard to the obtained operating (test) conditions.
Nitric oxide compartments in the mushroom bodies of the locust brain

ALL insect brains contain mushroom-shaped neural bodies which are implicated in associative learning. Here we show that the mushroom bodies of the locust brain have a remarkable and hitherto undescribed neural organisation consisting of six tubular structures in which bundles of axons are enclosed by cylindrical walls of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expressing processes. A dynamic temporo-spatial simulation shows that the tubular organization allows NO to attain and maintain locally elevated concentrations within highly structured domains in the CNS. A diffusible gaseous signalling molecule such as NO can therefore selectively affect computational processes occurring in discrete parallel channels of information flow in the brain. The implications of this are discussed in relation to the role of NO in a compartmental model of the mushroom bodies and more generally in the context of the targetting of diffusible messenger molecules in the brain.
Pressure Ulcer Preventive Device Use Among Elderly Patients Early in the Hospital Stay

Background: Clinical guidelines for the prevention of pressure ulcers advise that pressure-reducing devices should be used for all patients at risk of or with pressure ulcers and that all pressure ulcers should be documented in the patient record. Adherence to these guidelines among elderly hospital patients early in the hospital stay has not been examined in prior studies. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine adherence to guidelines by determining the frequency and correlates of use of preventive devices early in the hospital stay of elderly patients and by determining the frequency and correlates of recording pressure ulcers in the patient record. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 792 patients aged 65 years or older admitted through the emergency department to the inpatient medical service at two teaching hospitals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between 1998 and 2001. Patients were examined by a research nurse on Hospital Day 3 (median of 48 hours after admission) to determine the use of preventive devices, presence of pressure ulcers, and risk of pressure ulcers (by Norton scale). Data on additional risk factors were obtained from the admission nursing assessment in the patient record. Data on documentation of pressure ulcers were obtained by chart abstraction. Results: Only 15% of patients had any preventive devices in use at the time of the examination. Among patients considered at risk of pressure ulcers (Norton score ≤14), only 51% had a preventive device. In multivariable analyses, high risk of pressure ulcers was associated with use of preventive devices (odds ratio = 41.8, 95% confidence interval = 14.0-124.6), whereas the type and stage of pressure ulcer were not. Documentation of a pressure ulcer was present for only 68% of patients who had a pressure ulcer according to the research examination. Discussion: Use of preventive devices and documentation of pressure ulcers are suboptimal even among patients at high risk.
Infrastructure dominance in short-haul air transport markets

En este trabajo, se analiza como una compania aerea puede beneficiarse del dominio de una red de aeropuertos en un mercado caracterizado por rutas de corto radio y congestion. Se estima un sistema de ecuaciones para el mercado espanol de transporte aereo. Los resultados muestran que los beneficios del dominio aeroportuario, tanto en terminos de demanda como de coste, son consecuencia de ofrecer una frecuencia de servicio elevada. Una frecuencia elevada permite ofrecer mayores descuentos en las clases de tarifas para viajeros por motivos personales y, a su vez, establecer precios mas elevados en las clases de tarifas para viajeros por negocios. Tales beneficios pueden perjudicar la posicion competitiva de aquellas aerolineas con presencia limitada en los aeropuertos. De ahi que una asignacion equilibrada del espacio en los aeropuertos sea crucial para garantizar la competencia.