Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differences in birth weight by sex using adjusted quantile distance functions

Herein, we report results from a study of birth weight distribution among boys and girls born in Norway in 2008. As our primary interest was to detect differences in the variability between the two sexes, we used the quantile distance function to describe the difference between two distribution functions. We used an adjusted version of the quantile function to look into the relation of sex differences in birth weight conditioned on maternal age, gestational age, preeclampsia, maternal diabetes type 1, maternal smoking status, and parity. At term (⩾37 weeks of gestation), boys showed a greater variability in birth weight than did girls, and these differences were maintained in the adjusted model. We also found that maternal age and maternal smoking habits influenced both sexes equally, whereas gestational age, preeclampsia, maternal diabetes type 1, and parity influenced one sex more than the other. The adjusted quantile distance function proved efficient in analyzing and demonstrating how covariates influence sex differences in birth weight. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Medical Schools in Australia: A Survey of Current Practice

Introduction. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is acknowledged worldwide as a stressful clinical activity for all young doctors. The extent of standardisation of preparation for CPR within Australian curricula is unknown. Recent trends in the UK suggest the emergence of a common endpoint, Immediate Life Support (ILS) certification. The support for a similar shared endpoint in Australia is unknown. Methodology. A telephone questionnaire survey about the preparation for teaching CPR to medical students was undertaken in all Australian medical schools in early 2012; 88% of schools replied. Results. The majority favoured early basic CPR training. There was marked variation in how schools taught advanced CPR and how CPR competence was assessed. Only one school considered their graduates to be less than well prepared for CPR and all schools agreed that a common endpoint was desirable. Discussion. There is broad support for Immediate Life Support as a common end in resuscitation competence. Medical schools where students are prepared for a rural placement on graduation may still require a higher standard of competence.
The Advantages of Normalizing Electromyography to Ballistic Rather than Isometric or Isokinetic Tasks.

Isometric tasks have been a standard for electromyography (EMG) normalization stemming from anatomic and physiologic stability observed during contraction. Ballistic dynamic tasks have the benefit of eliciting maximum EMG signals for normalization, despite having the potential for greater signal variability. It is the purpose of this study to compare maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to nonisometric tasks with increasing degrees of extrinsic variability, ie, joint range of motion, velocity, rate of contraction, etc., to determine if the ballistic tasks, which elicit larger peak EMG signals, are more reliable than the constrained MVIC. Fifteen subjects performed MVIC, isokinetic, maximum countermovement jump, and sprint tasks while EMG was collected from 9 muscles in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and lower leg. The results revealed the unconstrained ballistic tasks were more reliable compared to the constrained MVIC and isokinetic tasks for all triceps surae muscles. The EMG from sprinting was more reliable than the constrained cases for both the hamstrings and vasti. The most reliable EMG signals occurred when the body was permitted its natural, unconstrained motion. These results suggest that EMG is best normalized using ballistic tasks to provide the greatest within-subject reliability, which beneficially yield maximum EMG values.
Does Foot Anthropometry Predict Metabolic Cost During Running?

Several recent investigations have linked running economy to heel length, with shorter heels being associated with less metabolic energy consumption. It has been hypothesized that shorter heels require larger plantar flexor muscle forces, thus increasing tendon energy storage and reducing metabolic cost. The goal of this study was to investigate this possible mechanism for metabolic cost reduction. Fifteen male subjects ran at 16 km⋅h-1 on a treadmill and subsequently on a force-plate instrumented runway. Measurements of oxygen consumption, kinematics, and ground reaction forces were collected. Correlational analyses were performed between oxygen consumption and anthropometric and kinetic variables associated with the ankle and foot. Correlations were also computed between kinetic variables (peak joint moment and peak tendon force) and heel length. Estimated peak Achilles tendon force normalized to body weight was found to be strongly correlated with heel length normalized to body height (r = -.751, p = .003). Neither heel length nor any other measured or calculated variable were correlated with oxygen consumption, however. Subjects with shorter heels experienced larger Achilles tendon forces, but these forces were not associated with reduced metabolic cost. No other anthropometric and kinetic variables considered explained the variance in metabolic cost across individuals.
Accounting for baseline differences and measurement error in the analysis of change over time

If change over time is compared in several groups, it is important to take into account baseline values so that the comparison is carried out under the same preconditions. As the observed baseline measurements are distorted by measurement error, it may not be sufficient to include them as covariate. By fitting a longitudinal mixed‐effects model to all data including the baseline observations and subsequently calculating the expected change conditional on the underlying baseline value, a solution to this problem has been provided recently so that groups with the same baseline characteristics can be compared. In this article, we present an extended approach where a broader set of models can be used. Specifically, it is possible to include any desired set of interactions between the time variable and the other covariates, and also, time‐dependent covariates can be included. Additionally, we extend the method to adjust for baseline measurement error of other time‐varying covariates. We apply the methodology to data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study to address the question if a joint infection with HIV‐1 and hepatitis C virus leads to a slower increase of CD4 lymphocyte counts over time after the start of antiretroviral therapy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of a workplace intervention programme on return to work after stroke: a randomised controlled trial

Objective: To determine the effect of a workplace intervention programme on the rate of return to work of previously employed stroke survivors in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Design: A randomised controlled trial. Setting: Participants’ workplaces and three hospitals with stroke rehabilitation facilities. Subjects: Eighty stroke survivors between the ages of 18 and 60 years who were employed at the time of stroke onset. Intervention: The workplace intervention programme was tailored according to functional ability and workplace challenges of each stroke survivor. The control group received usual stroke care which took into consideration job requirements but without workplace intervention. Main outcomes: The primary outcome was return to work rate. Secondary outcomes included activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, basic cognitive function and perceived quality of life. Results: At six months follow-up 60% (n = 24) of stroke survivors in the intervention group returned to work compared to 20% (n = 8) in the control group (P <0.001). The odds ratio for return to work for stroke survivors in the intervention group was 5.2. For every unit increase in the ADLs and cognitive assessment score, the odds of return to work increased by 1.7 and 1.3 respectively; those who returned to work had better quality of life than those who did not return to work (P = 0.05). Conclusion: A workplace intervention consisting of workability assessments and workplace visits was effective in facilitating return to work for stroke survivors in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
Tai Chi for improving cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To examine the effect of Tai Chi on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Data sources: Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, China Biology Medicine disc, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database. Methods: Articles on randomized controlled trials comparing Tai Chi with other treatments or no treatment were identified. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Fifteen articles involving 1354 participants were included. Compared with the control group, Tai Chi was more effective in improving exercise capacity on 6-minute walking distance (short term: MD = 16.02, 95% CI 2.86 to 29.17; mid term: MD = 30.90, 95% CI 6.88 to 54.93; long term: MD = 24.63, 95% CI 2.30 to 46.95), as well as pulmonary functions on forced expiratory volume in the first second (mid term: MD = 0.10; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.19), and forced vital capacity (mid term: MD = 0.20; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.36). Concerning quality of life, we found Tai Chi was better than the control group for the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire dyspnoea score (short term: MD = 0.90; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.29), fatigue score (short term: MD = 0.75; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.09), and total score (short term: MD = 1.92; 95% CI 0.54 to 3.31). Conclusions: Tai Chi may improve exercise capacity in the short, mid, and long terms. However, no significant long term differences in pulmonary function and quality of life were observed for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Six weeks of unsupervised Nintendo Wii Fit gaming is effective at improving balance in independent older adults.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of unsupervised Nintendo Wii Fit balance training in older adults. METHODS Forty-one older adults were recruited from local retirement villages and educational settings to participate in a six-week two-group repeated measures study. The Wii group (n = 19, 75 ± 6 years) undertook 30 min of unsupervised Wii balance gaming three times per week in their retirement village while the comparison group (n = 22, 74 ± 5 years) continued with their usual exercise program. Participants' balance abilities were assessed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS The Wii Fit group demonstrated significant improvements (P < .05) in timed up-and-go, left single-leg balance, lateral reach (left and right), and gait speed compared with the comparison group. Reported levels of enjoyment following game play increased during the study. CONCLUSION Six weeks of unsupervised Wii balance training is an effective modality for improving balance in independent older adults.
Stuxnet: Dissecting a Cyberwarfare Weapon

Last year marked a turning point in the history of cybersecurity-the arrival of the first cyber warfare weapon ever, known as Stuxnet. Not only was Stuxnet much more complex than any other piece of malware seen before, it also followed a completely new approach that's no longer aligned with conven tional confidentiality, integrity, and availability thinking. Con trary to initial belief, Stuxnet wasn't about industrial espionage: it didn't steal, manipulate, or erase information. Rather, Stuxnet's goal was to physically destroy a military target-not just meta phorically, but literally. Let's see how this was done.
Steganography in Digital Media: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications (Fridrich, J. 2010) [Book Reviews]

The book is presented primarily as a textbook, with a pedagogical structure and exercises proposed throughout the text. The level of the book is for graduate students, since the breadth and depth of the topics addressed would make the book difficult to understand to an a average undergraduate student. The book can also be a good starting point for anyone that wants to enter the field of steganography,however, readers must keep in mind that for taking full advantage of the richness of this book, a sequential reading is recommended including a serious attempt to solve at least part of the suggested exercises. On the other hand, the book can be conveniently used by readers that already know some basic notions of steganography and steganalysis and wish to deepen their understanding of a particular topic or algorithm.
A multiple imputation strategy for sequential multiple assignment randomized trials

Sequential multiple assignment randomized trials (SMARTs) are increasingly being used to inform clinical and intervention science. In a SMART, each patient is repeatedly randomized over time. Each randomization occurs at a critical decision point in the treatment course. These critical decision points often correspond to milestones in the disease process or other changes in a patient's health status. Thus, the timing and number of randomizations may vary across patients and depend on evolving patient‐specific information. This presents unique challenges when analyzing data from a SMART in the presence of missing data. This paper presents the first comprehensive discussion of missing data issues typical of SMART studies: we describe five specific challenges and propose a flexible imputation strategy to facilitate valid statistical estimation and inference using incomplete data from a SMART. To illustrate these contributions, we consider data from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trial of Intervention and Effectiveness, one of the most well‐known SMARTs to date. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the Basis of the Kalman Filter Via a Simple and Intuitive Derivation [Lecture Notes]

This article provides a simple and intuitive derivation of the Kalman filter, with the aim of teaching this useful tool to students from disciplines that do not require a strong mathematical background. The most complicated level of mathematics required to understand this derivation is the ability to multiply two Gaussian functions together and reduce the result to a compact form.
Differences in Plantar Foot Pressure and COP between Flat and Normal Feet During Walking

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the peak plantar foot pressure and the pathway of the center of pressure (COP) between normal and flat feet. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen subjects (10 normal feet, 9 flat feet) participated in this study. Plantar foot pressure was recorded by the Matscan system (Tekscan, Boston, USA) while walking upright. Plantar foot surface was divided into seven regions for pressure measurement: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region, and one heel region. The independent t-test was used to compare plantar foot pressures between normal adults and patients with flat feet. The pathway of COP in normal and flat feet was observed macroscopically. [Results] The plantar foot pressures of the 4th-5th metatarsal head and heel regions in the flat feet group were less than those of the normal feet group. The pathway of COP of normal feet group had a tendency to shift medially in the forefoot but the pathway of COP in the flat feet group had a tendency to be straight in the forefoot. [Conclusion] The results indicate that the plantar foot pressure of a flat foot was lower than that of a normal foot and the pathway of COP of a flat foot may be different from that of a normal foot. We believe that reduction of the longitudinal arch of foot in flat feet explains these results.
Case‐control study on hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma: The role of HCV genotypes and the synergism with hepatitis B virus and alcohol

We performed a case‐control study to evaluate the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A total of 305 newly diagnosed HCC cases (80% males) and 610 subjects (81% males) unaffected by clinically evident hepatic disease admitted to the 2 main hospitals in Brescia, North Italy, were recruited as cases and controls, respectively. Among the 122 HCC cases positive for HCV RNA, genotype 1b was found in 83 patients (68%), genotype 2 in 36 (29.5%) and genotype 1a in 3 (2.5%). Among the controls, 15 were infected with genotype 1b and 15 with type 2. Analysis of HCV envelope 1 nucleotide sequence among 25 cases and 8 controls infected with genotype 2 showed subtype 2c in 96% of cases and in all controls, and subtype 2a in 1 HCC case. The odds ratio (OR) for HCV RNA positivity adjusted for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and alcohol intake was 26.3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.8–44], and it was higher for genotype 1b (OR = 34.2) than type 2 (OR = 14.4). The OR for HCV RNA was 35.6 (95% CI: 14.5–87.1) when the HBV markers were all negative and 132 (15.3–890) when HBsAg positivity was present; the OR was 26.1 (95% CI: 12.6–54.0) among subjects with alcohol intake of 0–40 g/day and increased to 62.6 (23.3–168) and 126 (42.8–373) with an alcohol intake of 41–80 and >80 g/day, respectively. In conclusion, synergism was found between HCV infection and HBV infection and alcohol intake in causing HCC. Int. J. Cancer 81:695–699, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Milk Fever (Parturient Paresis) in Dairy Cows—A Review

Summary The history of milk fever (parturient paresis), traced from the time reports first began to appear in the literature (about 1793) indicates that this metabolic disturbance has been associated with the development of the dairy cow for high milk production. Some thirty theories of the etiology of milk fever have been advanced through the years. As new scientific knowledge and techniques have developed, the false hypotheses gradually have been eliminated so that a complete understanding of the fundamental basis of milk fever now awaits only the proof of certain points in the present concept which now are based on circumstantial evidence. The evidence indicates that the lowered blood calcium in milk fever is due to the failure of the blood calcium regulatory mechanism to mobilize calcium from the tissue reserves rapidly enough to equal the withdrawal of calcium from the blood into the udder secretions. If it is assumed, as the evidence indicates, that the parathyroid hormone is the primary regulator of blood calcium, its failure in milk fever may be caused by either parathyroid inadequacy resulting in the lack of sufficient hormone secretion or by the presence of some metabolic condition in the tissues at parturition that renders the parathyroid hormone temporarily inactive. It would seem, therefore, that further work on the function of the parathyroid glands at parturition must be done before the fundamental basis of milk fever can be proven. Any preventive measure must be aimed at eliminating the precipitous fall in blood calcium at parturition. Vitamin D in large amounts just prior to parturition offers the most encouraging possibilities for prevention. However, it is not known as yet whether the vitamin D acts to increase blood calcium per se or via the parathyroid glands.
EM for regularized zero‐inflated regression models with applications to postoperative morbidity after cardiac surgery in children

This paper proposes a new statistical approach for predicting postoperative morbidity such as intensive care unit length of stay and number of complications after cardiac surgery in children. In a recent multi‐center study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, 311 children undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled. Morbidity data are count data in which the observations take only nonnegative integer values. Often, the number of zeros in the sample cannot be accommodated properly by a simple model, thus requiring a more complex model such as the zero‐inflated Poisson regression model. We are interested in identifying important risk factors for postoperative morbidity among many candidate predictors. There is only limited methodological work on variable selection for the zero‐inflated regression models. In this paper, we consider regularized zero‐inflated Poisson models through penalized likelihood function and develop a new expectation–maximization algorithm for numerical optimization. Simulation studies show that the proposed method has better performance than some competing methods. Using the proposed methods, we analyzed the postoperative morbidity, which improved the model fitting and identified important clinical and biomarker risk factors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aquatic obstacle training improves freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease patients: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of aquatic obstacle training on balance parameters in comparison with a traditional aquatic therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Design: A randomized single-blind controlled trial. Setting: Outpatients in the rehabilitation department. Subjects: A total of 46 patients with Parkinson’s disease in Hoehn–Yahr stage 2–3. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to (1) aquatic therapy or (2) obstacle aquatic therapy. All participants undertook aquatic therapy for 30 minutes, five times per week for six weeks. Main measures: The Freezing of Gait Questionnaire, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test and Berg Balance Scale were assessed at baseline, posttreatment and at six-month follow-up. Results: Both groups of patients had improved primary outcomes after the training program. A between-group comparison of the changes revealed that obstacle aquatic therapy was significantly higher for the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (after treatment: 8.7 ± 3.3 vs 6.2 ± 2.1, P = 0.004; posttest: 7.7 ± 3.1 vs 5.3 ± 2.0, P = 0.003) and Timed Up and Go test (after treatment: 17.1 ± 2.9 vs 13.8 ± 1.9, P < 0.001; posttest: 16.3 ± 2.8 vs 12.9 ± 1.4, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Obstacle aquatic therapy in this protocol seems to be more effective than traditional protocols for gait and balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease, and the effect lasts for six months.
Basophils and eosinophils in human milk in relation to maternal allergy

Forty–three specimens of human milk were obtained from allergic and non–allergic women 3–6 days post–partum and analyzed for their eventual content of eosinophils and metachromatically staining cells. Eosinophils and metachromatically staining cells were identified in all milk samples; however, in lower numbers than in peripheral blood (0.082 to 4. 44% and 0.002 to 0.098% resp. of total cell numbers). Possible contamination of milk fluid with peripheral blood was ruled out. As no mast cells were detected with monoclonal anti–tryptase antibodies, the metachromatically staining cells were basophils. The numbers of basophils and eosinophils in milk were positively correlated to each other (p < 0.05) and to blood eosinophil counts (p0 < 0.001 and p1= 0.01, respectively), suggesting migration of these cells from blood to the mammary glands. Significantly higher numbers of eosinophils, but not of basophils were encountered in milk of allergic women compared to milk of non–allergic mothers (p0 < 0.01 and p1 > 0.05, respectively). As histamine release in the gut increases gut permeability and thereby probably the risk for sensitization to food allergens, basophils in milk might represent an allergy risk factor for the suckling neonate.