Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An ergonomic evaluation of tasks of healthcare unit personnel in different shifts in General Hospitals in West Bengal

Background: The job challenges faced by healthcare unit personnel are psychological, temporal and physically demanding. Studies on psychological stress on nurses are available but unfortunately studies on physiological load or temporal analysis of tasks of nurses or attendants in general hospitals in India have not been reported so far. Objective: The study aims at evaluating the perception of workload in different shifts among healthcare unit personnel and to develop better ergonomic management protocols. Participants: The study population comprised 150 staff nurses and 175 attendants working in three government hospitals in West Bengal, India. Method: The amount of time spent by nurses and attendants performing different tasks were recorded throughout the shifts using an activity analysis chart along with perceived exertion rating and heart rate throughout the shifts. Results: About 26.8% of the total working time throughout the day was spent in “direct care”. In case of general duty attendants 24.4% of the duty time was spent in indirect care. Time spent in different tasks differed by shifts. More leisure time occurs in the night shift compared to the morning and afternoon shifts but duration of shift was longer (11 to 12 hours). Perceived exertion rating of healthcare unit personnel in night shift was more compared to other shifts but physiological response did not reflect that. Conclusion: There were temporal variations of job demand in healthcare units. So, ergonomic orientation of layouts of departments, arrangement of activities, ergonomic way of keeping the records and use of proper communication system, recommended reducing the stress of healthcare unit personnel. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ijosh.v2i2. 6566 International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, Vol 2. No 2 (2012) 14-22
PPARγ/RXRα Heterodimers Are Involved in Human CGβ Synthesis and Human Trophoblast Differentiation.

Recent studies performed with null mice suggested a role of either RXRα or PPARγ in murine placental development. We report here that both PPARγ and RXRα are strongly expressed in human villous cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. Moreover, specific ligands for RXRs or PPARγ (but not for PPARα or PPARδ) increase both human CGβ transcript levels and the secretion of human CG and its free β-subunit. When combined, these ligands have an additive effect on human CG secretion. Pan-RXR and PPARγ ligands also have an additive effect on the synthesis of other syncytiotrophoblast hormones such as human placental lactogen, human placental GH, and leptin. Therefore, in human placenta, PPARγ/RXRα heterodimers are functional units during cytotrophoblast differentiation into the syncytiotrophoblast in vitro. Elements located in the regulatory region of the human CGβ gene (β5) were found to bind RXRα and PPARγ from human cytotrophoblast nuclear extracts, suggesting that PPARγ/RXRα heterodimers directly regulate hu.
of the 23 rd Annual EMBS International Conference , October 25-28 , Istanbul , Turkey ANALYSIS OF ROLE OF VISION IN HUMAN UPRIGHT POSTURE CONTROL

Abstruct-In this study, we investigated the role of the visual feedback in human upright posture control. To make the role of vision clear, we compared the visual, vestibular and somatosensory feedback systems in their ability to perceive movement and suppress shortand long-term sway. First, we measured thresholds for the perception of movement. Then effects of each feedback system to suppress shortand long-term sway were analyzed through posture control experiments, in which the available sensory input was limited. The visual and somatosensory thresholds were small (< 0.1 degree) while the vestibular threshold was relatively large (> 0.5 degree). The results of the posture control experiments suggested that the visual system contributed to suppression of sway in the frequency range below 0.4 Hz and the system had a minor effect in frequencies above 0.5 Hz. These results support our previous finding that the visual system does not allow a normal subject to maintain an upright posture by itself. The somatosensory system, on the other hand, suppressed body sway around 0.2 and 0.9 Hz The higher frequency range might enable the system to maintain an upright posture by itself.
Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Elective Hysterectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Outcomes Trial of Aprepitant NK-1-Receptor Antagonist

Objectives: Current prophylactic interventions fail to completely eliminate postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) for a substantial number of patients. A new antiemetic (aprepitant) has been effective in preventing chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). We hypothesized that adding aprepitant to our current prophylactic regimen of dexamethasone and ondansetron would reduce the incidence of PONV in our elective hysterectomy population. Methods: 256 patients undergoing elective hysterectomy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Subjects received either oral aprepitant 40 mg or oral placebo 30 minutes prior to induction of standardized anesthesia. The primary outcome was vomiting within the first 24 hours after surgery. Postoperative nausea, vomiting, and use of rescue antiemetics were documented over a 24 h period. Additionally, adverse events, hospitalization days, and readmissions for PONV were compared. Results: There was a trend towards reduction of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the aprepitant group. Nausea and vomiting were noted for 24% and 17% of women in the aprepitant group versus 38% and 29% of women in the Placebo group, respectively. Supplemental antiemetic medication was used by 42% of women in the aprepitant group versus 60% of women in the Placebo group. No adverse events were substantially more common in the aprepitant group than the Placebo group. Conclusions: Preemptive use of aprepitant prior to elective hysterectomy may reduce the incidence of PONV and diminish the need for rescue antiemetics postoperatively. Further studies with larger power are needed to confirm the trends observed in this study.
Optimised nanoformulation of bromocriptine for direct nose-to-brain delivery: biodistribution, pharmacokinetic and dopamine estimation by ultra-HPLC/mass spectrometry method

Objective: The present work evaluated whether the prepared nanoparticles (NPs) would be able to target the drug to the brain by a non-invasive nasal route enhancing its bioavailability. Methods: Bromocriptine (BRC) chitosan NPs (CS NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method. The biodistribution, pharmacokinetic parameters and dopamine concentration was analysed by ultra-HPLC/mass spectrometry method. The histopathological examination in haloperidol-induced Parkinson's disease in mice model following intranasal (i.n.) administration was evaluated. Results: BRC was found stable in all exposed conditions and the percentage accuracy observed for intra-day and inter-day batch samples ranged from 90.5 to 107% and 95.3 to 98.9% for plasma and brain homogenates, respectively. BRC-loaded CS NPs showed greater retention into the nostrils (42 ± 8.5% radioactivity) for about 4 h, whereas the 44 ± 7.5% could be retained up to 1 h for BRC solution. The brain:blood ratios of 0.96 ± 0.05 > 0.73 ± 0.15 > 0.25 ± 0.05 of BRC-loaded CS NPs (i.n.) > BRC solution (i.n.) > BRC-loaded CS NPs (intravenous), respectively, at 0.5 h indicated direct nose-to-brain transport bypassing blood–brain barrier. BRC-loaded CS NPs administered intranasally showed significantly high dopamine concentration (20.65 ± 1.08 ng/ml) as compared to haloperidol-treated mice (10.94 ± 2.16 ng/ml) (p < 0.05). Histopathology of brain sections showed selective degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in haloperidol-treated mice which was markedly reverted by BRC-loaded CS NPs. Conclusion: Nanoparticulate drug delivery system could be potentially used as a nose-to-brain drug delivery carrier for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Implication of CD44 in adhesion‐mediated overproduction of TGF‐β and IL‐1 in monocytes from patients with bone marrow fibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by bone marrow (BM) fibrosis and excessive deposits of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins which include fibronectin (FN), collagen type I and hyaluronic acid (HA). We have previously reported that adhesion to polystyrene overactivates MF monocytes. We now confirm their activation by increased CD25 expression and tyrosine phosphorylation. We hypothesize that ECM protein‐adhesion molecule interactions induce overproduction of fibrogenic cytokines in MF monocytes leading to BM fibrosis. In this study we found that FN, collagen type I and HA induce 2–3‐fold more TGF‐β and 6–9‐fold more interleukin (IL)‐1 in MF monocytes than normal controls (NC). Since CD44 can function as the natural ligand for these proteins, its role was studied. We found that CD44 mediated most of the TGF‐β and IL‐1 produced. Immunoprecipitation of CD44 revealed three proteins at approximately 110 kD in MF monocytes and one in NC. Our results indicate that adhesion is important in overproduction of TGF‐β and IL‐1, and that their production is at least partly mediated by adhesion molecule–ECM protein interactions. These results implicate at least one adhesion molecule, CD44, in the pathophysiology of BM fibrosis.
A Control Strategy for Four-Switch Three-Phase Brushless DC Motor Using Single Current Sensor

A control strategy based on single current sensor is proposed for a four-switch three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motor system to lower cost and improve performance. The system's whole working process is divided into two groups. In modes 2, 3, 5, and 6, where phase c works, phase-c current is sensed to control phases a and b, and phase-c current is consequently regulated. In modes 1 and 4, the combination of four suboperating modes for controlling phase-c current is proposed based on detailed analysis on the different rules that these operating modes have on phase-c current. Phase-c current is maintained at nearly zero level first, and phase- a and phase-b currents are regulated by speed circle. To improve control performance, a single-neuron adaptive proportional-integral (PI) algorithm is adopted to realize the speed regulator. Simulation and experimental systems are set up to verify the proposed strategy. According to simulation and experimental results, the proposed strategy shows good self-adapted track ability with low current ripple and strong robustness to the given speed reference model. Also, the structure of the drive is simplified.
The Long Drought: The Dearth of Public Funding for Headache Research

Headache disorders are the most prevalent of neurological conditions, and migraine is the most prevalent disabling neurological condition (1). Migraine affects 12% and chronic daily headache 4% of Europeans and Americans (2, 3); these disorders also predominantly afflict women during their peak years of productivity. Headache disorders account for ~9% of total lost labour productivity (>r20 billion) (4, 5) and ~1% of total disability (6) in the United States annually. Severe migraine attacks are classified by the World Health Organization as among the most disabling illnesses, comparable to dementia, quadriplegia and active psychosis (7). Given the high global prevalence, enormous societal costs and substantial disability and suffering, one might assume that the alleviation of migraine and other headache disorders would be a major priority for the public research agencies of developed nations. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. In this issue of Cephalalgia, Olesen and coworkers (8) quantify for the first time the neglect of migraine among European public research funding agencies. Their data are stark: migraine is the least publicly funded of all neurological illnesses relative to its economic impact. Moreover, these authors found that anxiety and affective disorders, two of the most prevalent categories of disorders comorbid with migraine, rank nearly as low as migraine in European public research funding priorities relative to economic impact. The cumulative effect of these funding decisions is to deny migraineurs the promise of research developments to change the courses of their illnesses. The lack of public research support for migraine is not limited to European grant-giving agencies. The problem is equally profound in the USA. Although the precise dollar amounts of migrainerelated National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants have not been reported, the Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP) database of US federally funded biomedical research projects can be used to infer abysmal funding levels. CRISP includes a document for every year of every federally funded (mostly NIH) biomedical research grant. Analysis of the relative number of CRISP documents for prevalent chronic disorders provides an approximation of the relative weight of US federal funding for each disorder. The results are striking (Figure 1 and Table 1). A comparison of the number of CRISP documents (9) with actual NIH funding levels (10) for several disorders leads to an estimate of the mean annual federal funding for migraine research at ~r13M. This sum comprises <0.05% of the total current NIH budget of ~r28B. By comparison, ~21 times more NIH research funding is devoted to
Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the pineal gland.

OBJECTIVES To report a case of primary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the pineal gland in an adult, as well as review the literature on this rare entity. METHODS The case is compared with previous reports of similar entities, with emphasis on this patient's characteristics and clinical presentation, investigations, and management. RESULTS Diagnosis of primary RMS of the pineal gland was based on the presence of strap cells and multinucleated myotube-like structures, as well as tumor cell expression of skeletal muscle markers consistent with myogenic differentiation. Multimodality treatment was initiated based on pediatric protocols. Unfortunately, the disease progressed on treatment, and the patient survived only 5 months from diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Pineal RMS is a rare disease with poor prognosis. Optimal management is unknown but likely to involve aggressive multimodality therapy.
Cloning and pharmacological characterization of a rat kappa opioid receptor.

A full-length cDNA was isolated from a rat striatal library by using low-stringency screening with two PCR fragments, one spanning transmembrane domains 3-6 of the mouse delta opioid receptor and the other unidentified but homologous to the mouse delta receptor from rat brain. The novel cDNA had a long open reading frame encoding a protein of 380 residues with 59% identity to the mouse delta receptor and topography consistent with a seven-helix guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptor. COS-1 cells transfected with the coding region of this clone showed high-affinity binding to kappa opioid receptor-selective ligands such as dynorphin A and U-50,488 and also nonselective opioid ligands such as bremazocine, ethylketocyclazocine, and naloxone. Not bound at all (or bound with low affinity) were dynorphin A-(2-13), enantiomers of naloxone and levophanol [i.e., (+)-naloxone and dextrorphan], and selective mu and delta opioid receptor ligands. Activation of the expressed receptor by kappa receptor agonists led to inhibition of cAMP. Finally, in situ hybridization revealed a mRNA distribution in rat brain that corresponded well to the distribution of binding sites labeled with kappa-selective ligands. These observations indicate that we have cloned a cDNA encoding a rat kappa receptor of the kappa 1 subtype.
Tracking&Tracing-systems in the Wood Supply Chain: Opportunities and Challenges

Tracking&Tracing-systems have been used for years in the logistics and food industry for the monitoring, control and management of processes. In general, the usage of systems includes applications such as finding the source of recalls, proof of product quality and origin, improving logistics and production processes. The benefits of these systems in the specific environment of the wood supply chain have not been explored to this point. Whether the data from Tracking&Tracingsystems could contribute to overcoming wood-specific challenges such as fulfillment of legislative requirements, certification of wood origin, minimizing illegal felling, support of sustainable forest management and thus the environmental sustainability is the main question of the investigation carried out in this paper. The investigation includes a comprehensive overview of possibilities and challenges of these systems in the wood supply chain.
Analgesic action of laser therapy (LLLT) in an animal model.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the analgesic effect of laser therapy on healthy tissue of mice. STUDY DESIGN Forty-five animals were divided in three groups of 15: A--infrared laser irradiation (830 nm, Kondortech, São Carlos, SP, Brazil); B--red laser irradiation (660 nm, Kondortech, São Carlos, SP, Brazil); C-- ham irradiation with laser unit off. After laser application, the mice remained immobilized for the injection of 30 microl of 2% formalin in the plantar pad of the irradiated hind paw. The time that the mouse kept the hind paw lifted was measured at 5 min intervals for 30 minutes. RESULTS Results showed statistically significant differences comparing the control group with the infrared laser group at 5, 20, 25 and 30 accumulated minutes, and with the red laser group at all time points. The analysis of partial times, at each 5 minutes, showed statistically significant differences between the control and the laser groups up to 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Laser therapy had an analgesic effect and red laser had the best results.
Service-Learning-Based Instruction Enhances Students' Perceptions of Their Abilities to Engage in Evidence-Based Practice

ABSTRACT Education leaders in occupational therapy (OT) propose that active learning is one means to developing critical thinking skills essential for successful integration of knowledge into evidence-based practice. This study examines the impact of one type of active learning, service-learning, on students' perceptions of their knowledge, skills, and confidence in their abilities to provide OT services to adults with neurological conditions. Change in OT students' (n == 43) perceptions before and after engagement in service-learning were assessed using quantitative and qualitative data in a triangulation mixed-methods design. Results support previous studies indicating that service-learning can influence positive gains in student knowledge and confidence.
Analysis of Data Streams: Computational and Algorithmic Challenges

Over the past 15 years, our ability to collect massive data sets has increased dramatically. Concomitantly, our need to process, compress, store, analyze, and summarize these data sets has grown as well. Scientific, engineering, medical, and industrial applications require that we carry out these tasks efficiently and reasonably accurately. Data streams are one type of modern massive data sets, characterized by their size and by their distributed and dynamic properties. We give an expository discussion of data stream models and the algorithmic challenges that these models pose for computational statistical analysis, then present an overview of three streaming algorithms and a discussion of the computational challenges with each.
Role of IGF‐I Signaling in Regulating Osteoclastogenesis

We showed that IGF‐I deficiency impaired osteoclastogenesis directly and/or indirectly by altering the interaction between stromal/osteoblastic cells and osteoclast precursors, reducing RANKL and M‐CSF production. These changes lead to impaired bone resorption, resulting in high BV/TV in IGF‐I null mice.
Operating characteristics of a failure counting group replacement policy

This article presents some operating characteristics of a failure counting group replacement policy. A group of identical units are put in service together. The maintenance policy applied for them is a group replacement policy based on failure count; they are replaced altogether when a number of failures reaches a certain amount. For the expected cost rate function under the failure counting group replacement policy, this article presents a method to obtain the optimum cost rate. We also show that the optimum cost rate is an increasing function in the fleet size. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the results.
Fast and Near-Optimal Timing-Driven Cell Sizing under Cell Area and Leakage Power Constraints Using a Simplified Discrete Network Flow Algorithm

We propose a timing-driven discrete cell-sizing algorithm that can address total cell size and/or leakage power constraints. We model cell sizing as a "discretized" mincost network flow problem, wherein available sizes of each cell are modeled as nodes. Flow passing through a node indicates the choice of the corresponding cell size, and the total flow cost reflects the timing objective function value corresponding to these choices. Compared to other discrete optimization methods for cell sizing, our method can obtain near-optimal solutions in a time-efficient manner. We tested our algorithm on ISCAS'85 benchmarks, and compared our results to those produced by an optimal dynamic programming- (DP-) based method. The results show that compared to the optimal method, the improvements to an initial sizing solution obtained by our method is only 1% (3%) worse when using a 180nm (90 nm) library, while being 40-60 times faster. We also obtained results for ISPD'12 cell-sizing benchmarks, under leakage power constraint, and compared them to those of a state-of-the-art approximate DP method (optimal DP runs out of memory for the smallest of these circuits). Our results show that we are only 0.9% worse than the approximate DP method, while being more than twice as fast.
Recombinant IL‐7/HGFβ hybrid cytokine separates acute graft‐versus‐host‐disease from graft‐versus‐tumour activity by altering donor T cell trafficking

Given that donor T cells from a transplant contribute both the desired graft‐versus‐tumour (GVT) effect and detrimental graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), strategies to separate GVHD and GVT activity are a major clinical goal. We have previously demonstrated that in vivo administration of a recombinant (r)IL‐7/HGFβ hybrid cytokine, consisting of interleukin‐7 (IL‐7, IL7) and the β‐chain of hepatocyte growth factor (HGFβ), significantly inhibits the growth of cancer cells in murine tumour models. The antit‐umour effect of rIL‐7/HGFβ is related to a marked infiltration T cells in the tumour tissues. We have also shown that GVHD was not induced in rIL‐7/HGFβ‐treated T cell‐depleted allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. We show here that, in T cell‐replete allogeneic HSCT murine models, rIL‐7/HGFβ attenuated acute GVHD (aGVHD), while promoting GVT activity. This was related to an alteration of donor T cell trafficking, with an increased infiltration of donor T cells into tumour tissues and the lympho‐haematopoietic system but decreased number of the T cells in the GVHD target organs. Therefore, rIL‐7/HGFβ may offer a new tool to alleviate aGVHD while prompting GVT, and to study the molecular regulation of T cell trafficking.