Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A real-time system to aid clinical classification and quantification of tremor in Parkinson's disease

The availability of an objective clinical evaluation in the diagnosis and monitoring of parkinson's disease is a primary importance objective in neurology. Furthermore, in many patients next to resting tremor typical of the disease are also found other types of tremor as kinetic and postural tremor so making the diagnosis difficult. The ability to classify the different types of tremor specific for each patient through an examination of the instrumental, non-invasive and very simple and fast is a great tool to aid the clinical diagnosis of the disease. Our system meets the above requirements. It consists of an inertial sensor that allows the acquisition of the quantities of interest, and by a series of algorithms able to provide an objective and quantitative assessment of the type and severity of tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease. The availability of an objective report on the severity of the disorder developed according to a strict correlation with the valuation provided by the UPDRS scale is a good starting point towards the personalization of care as well as being a useful tool in the analysis of the course of the disease.
On the design of orthogonal pulse-shape modulation for UWB systems using Hermite pulses

Orthogonal pulse-shape modulation using Hermite pulses for ultra-wideband communications is reviewed. Closed-form expressions of cross-correlations among Hermite pulses and their corresponding transmit and receive waveforms are provided. These show that the pulses lose orthogonality at the receiver in the presence of differentiating antennas. Using these expressions, an algebraic model is established based on the projections of distorted receive waveforms onto the orthonormal basis given by the set of normalized orthogonal Hermite pulses. Using this new matrix model, a number of pulse-shape modulation schemes are analyzed and a novel orthogonal design is proposed. In the proposed orthogonal design, transmit waveforms are constructed as combinations of elementary Hermites with weighting coefficients derived by employing the Gram-Schmidt (QR.) factorization of the differentiating distortion model's matrix. The design ensures orthogonality of the vectors at the output of the receiver bank of correlators, without requiring compensation for the distortion introduced by the antennas. In addition, a new set of elementary Hermite Pulses is proposed which further enhances the performance of the new design while enabling a simplified hardware implementation.
Is End-Stage Ankle Arthrosis Best Managed with Total Ankle Replacement or Arthrodesis? A Systematic Review

Introduction. End-stage ankle osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition. Traditionally, ankle arthrodesis (AA) has been the surgical intervention of choice but the emergence of total ankle replacement (TAR) has challenged this concept. This systematic review aims to address whether TAR or AA is optimal in terms of functional outcomes. Methods. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA checklist using the online databases Medline and EMBASE after January 1, 2005. Participants must be skeletally mature and suffering from ankle arthrosis of any cause. The intervention had to be an uncemented TAR comprising two or three modular components. The comparative group could include any type of ankle arthrodesis, either open or arthroscopic, using any implant for fixation. The study must have reported at least one functional outcome measure. Results. Of the four studies included, two reported some significant improvement in functional outcome in favour of TAR. The complication rate was higher in the TAR group. However, the quality of studies reviewed was poor and the methodological weaknesses limited any definitive conclusions being drawn. Conclusion. The available literature is insufficient to conclude which treatment is superior. Further research is indicated and should be in the form of an adequately powered randomised controlled trial.
On-Road Vehicle Emission Control in Beijing : Past , Present , and Future †

Beijing, the capital of China, has experienced rapid motorization since 1990; a trend that is likely to continue. The growth in vehicles and the corresponding emissions create challenges to improving the urban air quality. In an effort to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on urban air quality, Beijing has adopted a number of vehicle emission control strategies and policies since the mid 1990s. These are classified into seven categories: (1) emission control on new vehicles; (2) emission control on inuse vehicles; (3) fuel quality improvements; (4) alternativefuel and advanced vehicles; (5) economic policies; (6) public transport; and (7) temporal traffic control measures. Many have proven to be successful, such as the Euro emission standards, unleaded gasoline and low sulfur fuel, temporal traffic control measures during the Beijing Olympic Games, etc. Some, however, have been failures, such as the gasoline-toLPG taxi retrofit program. Thanks to the emission standards for new vehicles as well as other controls, the fleet-average emission rates of CO, HC, NOX, and PM10 by each major vehicle category are decreasing over time. For example, gasoline cars decreased fleet-average emission factors by 12.5% for CO, 10.0% for HC, 5.8% for NOX, and 13.0% for PM10 annually since 1995, and such a trend is likely to continue. Total emissions for Beijing’s vehicle fleet increased from 1995 to 1998. However, they show a clear and steady decrease between 1999 and 2009. In 2009, total emissions of CO, HC, NOX, and PM10 were 845 000t,121 000t,84 000t,and3700t, respectively;withreductions of 47%, 49%, 47%, and 42%, relative to 1998. Beijing has been considered a pioneer in controlling vehicle emissions within China, similar to the role of California to the U.S. The continued rapid growth of vehicles, however, is challenging Beijing’s policy-makers.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa exploits a PIP3-dependent pathway to transform apical into basolateral membrane

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an important human pathogen, preferentially binds and enters injured cells from the basolateral (BL) surface. We previously demonstrated that activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt are necessary and sufficient for P. aeruginosa entry from the apical (AP) surface and that AP addition of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) is sufficient to convert AP into BL membrane (Kierbel, A., A. Gassama-Diagne, K. Mostov, and J.N. Engel. 2005. Mol. Biol. Cell. 16:2577–2585; Gassama-Diagne, A., W. Yu, M. ter Beest, F. Martin-Belmonte, A. Kierbel, J. Engel, and K. Mostov. 2006. Nat. Cell Biol. 8:963–970). We now show that P. aeruginosa subverts this pathway to gain entry from the AP surface. In polarized monolayers, P. aeruginosa binds near cell–cell junctions without compromising them where it activates and recruits PI3K to the AP surface. Membrane protrusions enriched for PIP3 and actin accumulate at the AP surface at the site of bacterial binding. These protrusions lack AP membrane markers and are comprised of BL membrane constituents, which are trafficked there by transcytosis. The end result is that this bacterium transforms AP into BL membrane, creating a local microenvironment that facilitates its colonization and entry into the mucosal barrier.
High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Morphology of Cygnus A

We present subarcsecond-resolution mid-infrared images at 10.8 and 18.2 μm of Cyg A. These images were obtained with the University of Florida mid-IR camera/spectrometer OSCIR at the Keck II 10 m telescope. Our data show extended mid-IR emission primarily to the east of the nucleus with a possible western extension detected after image deconvolution. This extended emission is closely aligned with the biconical structure observed at optical and near-IR wavelengths by the Hubble Space Telescope. This emission is consistent with dust heated from the central engine of Cyg A. We also marginally detect large-scale low-level emission extending more than 1.5 kpc from the nucleus, which may be caused by in situ star formation, line emission, and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination within the bandpass of our wide N-band filter.
Original Research @bullet Recherche Originale Impact of a Multifaceted Pediatric Sedation Course: Self-directed Learning versus a Formal Continuing Medical Education Course to Improve Knowledge of Sedation Guidelines

Background: Procedural sedation guidelines were established for a tertiary care pediatric emergency department (ED). We developed a pediatric procedural sedation course to disseminate these guidelines. Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a sedation course in improving physicians' knowledge of pediatric procedural sedation practices and guidelines, relative to individual self-directed learning. Methods: We recruited emergency staff physicians and fellows as well as fourth-year pediatric residents in a tertiary care pediatric ED to participate in a randomized, controlled, educational intervention. All consenting physicians received pediatric sedation educational material for individual study 2 weeks before a learning assessment. Participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. The self-directed learning group (n = 24) completed a multiple-choice examination without receiving any formal teaching. The study group (n = 24) participated in a 4-hour formal multi-faceted sedation course before writing the multiple-choice examination. Results: The groups did not differ significantly in demographic characteristics or self-perceived knowledge of pediatric sedation. The formal teaching group's median examination score (83.3%; range 75.8%–96.5%) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than the median examination score of participants in the self-directed study group (73.3%, range 43.5%–86.6%). Conclusion: The multifaceted sedation course was more effective in improving physician knowledge and understanding of sedation guidelines and practices than unstructured, self-directed learning. RÉSUMÉ Contexte : On a établi des lignes directrices sur la sédation opératoire pour un service d'urgence pédiatrique de soins tertiaires, et un cours à ce sujet pour les diffuser.
Socio-demographic and Religious Factors Affecting Fertility Rate among Childbearing Women in Easter Iran: A Population-based Study

Background & aim: The reduction of fertility rate in the recent years in Iran may be due to the cultural and socioeconomic development in this country. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship of fertility rate with demographic, socioeconomic, and religious factors among childbearing women in a city in Easter Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 254 childbearing women in Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran, in 2016. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and scale of religiosity developed by Khodayari Fard (2000). Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and general linear model were used to assess the relationships between variables Results: The mean number of children among women was 1.85±0.99. Fertility rate showed a direct relationship with age, age of spouse, and duration of marriage. There was an indirect relationship between age at marriage and fertility rate (P=0.001). Also, fertility rate was significantly correlated with education (P=0.001) and the mean total score of religiosity and its three dimensions (P<0.05). Based on the general linear model, women’s age, age of spouse, age at marriage, and level of education could predict 54% of the fertility rate variance (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings, fertility rate was significantly associated with couple’s age, age at marriage, and educational level among the women of reproductive age in Torbat Heydariyeh. Therefore, policy makers should focus on the moderation of these variables to influence population growth.
Physicochemical and pharmacological evaluation of carvedilol-eudragit® RS100 electrosprayed nanostructures

Objective(s): This study was carried out to boost the pharmacologic influence of carvedilol (CAR) (as a poorly water-soluble drug) by developing CAR-eudragit® RS100 (Eud) nanofibers and nanobeads benefiting an electrospraying approach. Materials and Methods: CAR-Eud nanoformulations with varying ratios (1:5 and 1:10) at total solution concentrations of 10 %, 15 % and 20 % w/v were formulated. Results: The solution concentration remarkably impressed the size and morphology of the samples; in which, the nanobeads (mean diameter of 135.83 nm) were formed at low solution concentrations and high concentrations led to nanofibers (mean diameter of 193.45 nm) formation. DSC thermographs and PXRD patterns along with FTIR spectrum precisely showed CAR amorphization and no probable chemical interactions between CAR and Eud in the electrosprayed nanosystems. The in vitro release considerations demonstrated that the nanoformulations with the drug: polymer ratios of 1:10 and 1:5 depict rapid dissolution rate compared to the physical mixtures (PMs) and the pure drug. The in vivo studies in Wistar male rats suggested that the electrosprayed nanoformulation (1:10; 20 %) reduced the isoproterenol (ISO) induced elevation of heart rate, necrosis and accumulation of neutrophils in the heart tissue more efficient than the pure drug and PM. Conclusion: Our finding illustrated that the electrospraying as a profitable one-step procedure could be productively benefited to improve the physicochemical features and pharmacologic influences of CAR.
Estimating Continuous Time Transition Matrices From Discretely Observed Data

A common problem in credit risk management is the estimation of probabilities of rare default events in high investment grades, when sufficient default data are not available. In addressing this issue, increasing attention has been paid to the use of continuous time Markov chains for modeling transition matrices. This approach incorporates the possibility of successive downgrades leading to defaulting in such a way that a very slight probability of default can be captured. In banking applications, however, the approach faces a problem with data limitations, since it requires continuously observed rating data to estimate intensities for transition matrices. In reality, the data frequency of internal rating systems for individual banks is either annual or bi-annual. To make the approach more applicable, the estimation methodology based on discretely observed rating data needs to be examined from a practical perspective. Against this background, the paper discusses and compares the small sample performances of the five estimation methods designed for discrete time observations -- diagonal adjustment, weighted adjustment, quasi-optimization approach, expectation maximization algorithm and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation -- by measuring differences in default probabilities of investment grades and several matrix norms. Monte Carlo experiments reveal that the MCMC gives the most accurate finite-sample performance, both in terms of the estimated default probabilities and the matrix norms. Moreover, a case study to examine the impact on the loss distribution of a hypothetical investment grade portfolio shows that differences in these estimation methods have the potential to yield significantly different estimates of economic capital.
Can Regime-Switching Models Reproduce The Business Cycle Features of US aggregate consumption, investment and output?

The ability of Markov-switching (MS) autoregressive models to replicate selected classical business cycle features found in US post-war consumption, investment and output is compared to that of linear models. Univariate MS models appear to offer more dynamically parsimonious representations, but generally are unable to reproduce features missed by linear models. In the multivariate models, some cointegration restrictions were found to have a crucial impact, and the ability of models that imposed cointegration to reproduce business cycle features was enhanced by Markov switching. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strengthening personal growth: The effects of a strengths intervention on personal growth initiative

Personal growth is not only a central individual need but also a key requirement for organizational success. Nevertheless, workplace interventions aimed at stimulating the personal growth of employees are still scarce. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of an intervention that aimed at the identification, development, and use of employee strengths in stimulating personal growth initiative. We conducted a field experiment with a sample of 84 educational professionals who were either assigned to a strengths intervention or a wait-list control group. In a 1-month follow-up study, we found that the intervention had a direct effect on general self-efficacy (GSE) and an indirect effect on personal growth initiative. Moreover, in line with plasticity theory we found that the intervention was especially effective for participants with low to medium initial levels of GSE. We conclude that a strengths intervention may provide a brief and effective tool for organizations that aim for self-directed learning among their staff, in particular when offered to employees who lack confidence in their own abilities. Practitioner points In a 1 month follow-up study, we found that a strengths intervention had a positive direct effect on general self-efficacy and an indirect effect on personal growth initiative. In line with plasticity theory, we found that the strengths intervention was especially effective for participants with low to medium initial levels of general self-efficacy.
EFFICIENT PHOTOMETRIC SELECTION OF QUASARS FROM THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY. II. ∼1, 000, 000 QUASARS FROM DATA RELEASE 6

We present a catalog of 1,172,157 quasar candidates selected from the photometric imaging data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The objects are all point sources to a limiting magnitude of i = 21.3 from 8417 deg2 of imaging from SDSS Data Release 6 (DR6). This sample extends our previous catalog by using the latest SDSS public release data and probing both ultraviolet (UV)-excess and high-redshift quasars. While the addition of high-redshift candidates reduces the overall efficiency (quasars:quasar candidates) of the catalog to ∼80%, it is expected to contain no fewer than 850,000 bona fide quasars, which is ∼8 times the number of our previous sample and ∼10 times the size of the largest spectroscopic quasar catalog. Cross-matching between our photometric catalog and spectroscopic quasar catalogs from both the SDSS and 2dF survey yields 88,879 spectroscopically confirmed quasars. For judicious selection of the most robust UV-excess sources (∼500, 000 objects in all), the efficiency is nearly 97%—more than sufficient for detailed statistical analyses. The catalog's completeness to type 1 (broad-line) quasars is expected to be no worse than 70%, with most missing objects occurring at z < 0.7 and 2.5 < z < 3.0. In addition to classification information, we provide photometric redshift estimates (typically good to Δz ± 0.3 [2σ]) and cross-matching with radio, X-ray, and proper-motion catalogs. Finally, we consider the catalog's utility for determining the optical luminosity function of quasars and are able to confirm the flattening of the bright-end slope of the quasar luminosity function at z ∼ 4 as compared to z ∼ 2.
Reversible Data Hiding Using Enhanced Prediction for Progressive Image Transmission

We propose the reversible data hiding algorithm for progressive image transmission in this paper. With the alteration of difference values between original and predicted images, reversible data hiding can be applicable to progressive image transmission. For assessing parameters including the reversibility, embedding capacity, and image quality, with our algorithm, we observe the generally better performances with simulations over existing methods.
The relationship between life goals and personality traits with subjective well-being in adults

Â Introduction: Subjective well-being is component of psychological quality of life. According to research results, the type of life goals and personality traits are important in predicting the subjective well-being. So this study aims to investigate the role of life goals, personality traits with subjective well-being adults. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive correlation study, sample consisted of 200 adults ( 25 to 60 years), residing in Zone 6 in Tehran, that were selected using method multi- stage random sampling. Participants responded to questionnaires of positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, Big five Personality Factor and Life goals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17, Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical regression. Â Results: The results correlation coefficient showed intrinsic goals, extrinsic goals and personality traitsÂ have positive correlation with subjective wellbeing and neuroticism has negative relationship with subjective wellbeing (P<0.05). Enter regression results showed that There is negative relationship between Subjective well-being and extrinsicâ�� importance (P <0.01) and positive relationship between subjective well being and â��extrinsicâ�� attainment (P<0.05). Also, the results of hierarchical regression results showed that life goals are able to predict subjective well-being (R2=-0.09, P<0.0001) Although life goals haveÂ Â relatively small share of the compared to strong predictors personality traits (R2=-0.49, P <0.0001). Â Conclusion: Considering that life goals are able to predict the contribution of subjective well-being that can not be predicted by personality traits. Therefore, it's recommended that psychologist to consider life goals as an important factor in cultural and economic different situations at their studies.
Assessment of Knowledge and Practices of Standard Precaution against Blood Borne Pathogens among Doctors and Nurses at Adult Emergency Room in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background Standard precautions are infection control techniques against pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Objective This study aims to assess knowledge and practice of standard precautions against blood borne pathogens among doctors and nurses in adult emergency room, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from February to March 2018. A total of 128 study participants selected from four public hospitals were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using standardized pretested questionnaire and thencoded, entered, checked for completeness, and analyzed using SPSS version-23 statisticalsoftware. Chi-square test was used to measure the association between variables. P values <0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Result The mean knowledge score of standard precaution measures was 10.3 out of 14 knowledge items. Out of 32 doctors, 93.8% (n=30) have good knowledge and out of 91 nurses, 86.8% (n=79) have good knowledge. The mean practice level of the study subjects was 8.5 out of 12 practice items. Majority (73.6%) of nurses have good practice level than doctors (21.8%). Knowledge level was significantly associated with the presence of infection control officer, infection control guideline, and washing hands before touching patients. Profession, training, and the presence of infection control guideline in emergency room were significantly associated with practice level of respondents (P<0.05). Conclusion Both nurses and doctors have good knowledge of standard precaution measures. However, nurses have better practice level than doctors. Orientation during employment and continuous training programs should be provided for the newly employed health workers. In addition sustainable supply systems should be available in each hospital management.