Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling legs for locomotion—insights from robotics and neurobiology

Walking is the most common terrestrial form of locomotion in animals. Its great versatility and flexibility has led to many attempts at building walking machines with similar capabilities. The control of walking is an active research area both in neurobiology and robotics, with a large and growing body of work. This paper gives an overview of the current knowledge on the control of legged locomotion in animals and machines and attempts to give walking control researchers from biology and robotics an overview of the current knowledge in both fields. We try to summarize the knowledge on the neurobiological basis of walking control in animals, emphasizing common principles seen in different species. In a section on walking robots, we review common approaches to walking controller design with a slight emphasis on biped walking control. We show where parallels between robotic and neurobiological walking controllers exist and how robotics and biology may benefit from each other. Finally, we discuss where research in the two fields diverges and suggest ways to bridge these gaps.
Development of a self-healing soft pneumatic actuator: a first concept

Inspired by the intrinsic softness and the corresponding embodied intelligence principles, soft pneumatic actuators (SPA) have been developed, which ensure safe interaction in unstructured, unknown environments. Due to their intrinsic softness, these actuators have the ability to resist large mechanical impacts. However, the soft materials used in these structures are in general susceptible to damage caused by sharp objects found in the unstructured environments. This paper proposes to integrate a self-healing (SH-) mechanism in SPAs, such that cuts, tears and perforations in the actuator can be self-healed. Diels–Alder (DA-) polymers, covalent polymer network systems based on the thermoreversible DA-reaction, were selected and their mechanical, as well as SH-properties, are described. To evaluate the feasibility of developing an SPA constructed out of SH-material, a single cell prototype, a SH-soft pneumatic cell (SH-SPC), was constructed entirely out of DA-polymers. Exploiting the SH-property of the DA-polymers, a completely new shaping process is presented in this paper, referred to as ‘shaping through folding and self-healing’. 3D polygon structures, like the cubic SH-SPC, can be constructed by folding SH-polymer sheet. The sides of the structures can be sealed and made airtight using a SH-procedure at relatively low temperatures (<90 °C). Both the (thermo) mechanical and SH-properties of the SH-SPC prototype were experimentally validated and showed excellent performances. Macroscopic incisions in the prototype were completely healed using a SH-procedure (<70 °C). Starting from this single-cell prototype, it is straight-forward to develop a multi-cell prototype, the first SPA ever built completely out of SH-polymers.
High ratios of plasma and platelets to packed red blood cells do not affect mortality in nonmassively transfused patients.

BACKGROUND Administration of high transfusion ratios in patients not requiring massive transfusion might be harmful. We aimed to determine the effect of high ratios of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLT) to packed red blood cells (PRBC) in nonmassively transfused patients. METHODS Records of 1,788 transfused trauma patients who received <10 units of PRBC in 24 hours at 23 United States Level I trauma centers were reviewed. The relationship between ratio category (low and high) and in-hospital mortality was assessed with propensity-adjusted multivariate proportional hazards models. RESULTS At baseline, patients transfused with a high FFP:PRBC ratio were younger, had a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score, and a higher Injury Severity Score. Those receiving a high PLT:PRBC ratio were older. The risk of in-hospital mortality did not vary significantly with FFP:PRBC ratio category. Intensive care unit (ICU)-free days, hospital-free days, and ventilator-free days did not vary significantly with FFP:PRBC ratio category. ICU-free days and ventilator-free days were significantly decreased among patients in the high (≥1:1) PLT:PRBC category, and hospital-free days did not vary significantly with PLT:PRBC ratio category. The analysis was repeated using 1:2 as the cutoff for high and low ratios. Using this cutoff, there was still no difference in mortality with either FFP:PRBC ratios or platelet:PRBC ratios. However, patients receiving a >1:2 ratio of FFP:PRBCs or a >1:2 ratio PLT:PRBCs had significantly decreased ICU-free days and ventilator-free days. CONCLUSIONS FFP:PRBC and PLT:PRBC ratios were not associated with in-hospital mortality. Depending on the threshold analyzed, a high ratio of FFP:PRBC and PLT:PRBC transfusion was associated with fewer ICU-free days and fewer ventilator-free days, suggesting that the damage control infusion of FFP and PLT may cause increased morbidity in nonmassively transfused patients and should be rapidly terminated when it becomes clear that a massive transfusion will not be required.
User involvement in structured violence risk management within forensic mental health facilities -- a systematic literature review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine empirical literature on user involvement in collaboration between patients and nurses. The scope of the review was limited to structured violence risk management interventions in forensic mental health settings. BACKGROUND Violence in forensic mental health settings represents a significant problem for patients and staff. Structured violence risk management interventions in forensic mental health have been reported to ignore patient participation, despite the growing attention on user involvement in clinical practice. DESIGN A systematic review. METHOD Searches were conducted in six databases: the Cochrane Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest, ScienceDirect and PsycINFO. Papers were assessed according to a predetermined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS After searches of the reference lists of retrieved articles were conducted, only three papers met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS This review has shown that empirical research on the topic of risk management interventions in which patients are involved is scarce. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE There is barely any research evidence of the clinical effect of user involvement approaches on violence risk management in forensic mental health practice. Therefore, we suggest that clinicians may learn from positive experiences concerning user involvement in general psychiatry and carefully adapt and test them out in the forensic treatment context.
Effects of an early postoperative walking exercise programme on health status in lung cancer patients recovering from lung lobectomy.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of an early postoperative walking exercise programme on postlobectomy lung cancer patients. BACKGROUND Few interventional studies on the postoperative health status of lung cancer patients have considered the efficacy of programmes designed to improve critical health variables. DESIGN A two-group quasi-experimental, longitudinal approach repeated four times examined participant data collected 12-18 hours prior to surgery and again at one, three and six months after surgery. METHODS We assigned the first 33 enrolled participants to the intervention group and the second 33 to the control group. The intervention was a daily supervised walking exercise programme consisting of 12 weeks of brisk walking exercise that began on the day following transfer to the regular ward along with weekly telephone calls until 12 weeks after discharge. Health status was measured using a structured questionnaire (World Health Organization Quality of Life, brief version) and clinical tests (pulmonary function test and 6-minute walk test). We analysed data using general estimating equations, with p < 0·05 considered significant. RESULTS Intervention group pulmonary and physical functions were increasingly better over time than those of the control group, with no significant difference in quality of life between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the intervention group earned significantly better values for FVC% at postoperative month 3 and for FEV1 % at postoperative months 3 and 6. Intervention group 6MWT scores were significantly better than those of the control group at postoperative months 1, 3 and 6. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the benefits of an early postoperative walking exercise intervention for pulmonary and physical function in postlobectomy lung cancer patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results may guide the design of appropriate interventions in the future. Clinical trials in other populations are needed to confirm the results of this study.
Prognostic factors influencing final visual acuity in open globe injuries.

BACKGROUND To investigate the factors that influence final visual acuity (VA) in open globe injuries. METHODS The records of patients with open globe injuries who were followed for longer than 6 months between 1998 and 2009 in two different centers were retrospectively reviewed. The data collected included patients' demographics as well as their initial VA, wound location, mechanism and type of injury, clinical findings, and final best-corrected VA. Statistical analysis was conducted using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Of 313 patients, 73.2% were men, and the mean age was 32.01 years ± 21.04 years. Penetrating injury was the most common type of injury. Of 313 injuries, 212 were caused by sharp/projectile objects, and injuries most commonly occurred in the workplace. In a univariate analysis, the factors contributing to a final VA worse than 20/200 included being older than 50 years, injury in zone 2 or 3, blunt injury, rupture-type injury, poor initial VA, and the presence of endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, relative afferent papillary defect, hyphema, vitreous prolapse, and uveal prolapse. In a multiple logistic regression analysis in which all factors that may influence final VA were analyzed together, poor initial VA, retinal detachment, and vitreous prolapse were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION In this retrospective study, the most important factors influencing final VA were initial VA, retinal detachment, and vitreous prolapse, all of which are important with regard to informing the patient of the prognosis and determining the approach the physician will take.
Two-year experience of using pigtail catheters to treat traumatic pneumothorax: a changing trend.

BACKGROUND The traditional treatment of patients with traumatic hemopneumothorax has been an insertion of a chest tube (CT). But CT, because of its large caliber and significant trauma during an insertion, can cause pain, prevent full lung expansion, and worsen pulmonary outcome. Pigtail catheters (PCs) are smaller and less invasive; they have worked well in patients with nontraumatic pneumothorax (PTX). The purpose of this study was to review our early experience of PC use in trauma patients. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of trauma patients who required CT or PC placement over a 2-year period (January 2008 through December 2009) at a Level I trauma center. The PCs were 14-French (14-F) Cook catheters placed by the trauma team, using a Seldinger technique. We compared outcome for the subgroups that had CT or PC placed for a PTX. For our statistical analysis, we used the unpaired Student t-test, χ(2) test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test; we considered a p value < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS Of 9,624 trauma patients evaluated, 94 were treated with PC and 386 with CT. Of the PC patients, 89% was inserted for PTX. When comparing patients with PC and CT inserted for PTX, demographics, tube days, need for mechanical ventilation, and insertion-related complications were similar. The tube failure rate, defined by a requirement for an additional tube or by recurrence that needed intervention, was higher in PC (11%) than in CT (4%) (p = 0.06), but the difference was not statistically significant. We observed a trend of increased PC use over time. CONCLUSION PC is safe and can be performed at the bedside. It has a comparable efficacy to CT in patients with PTX. A prospective study is needed to determine the precise role of PC placement, including its indication, the associated tube-site pain, and any significant clinical advantages.
Wing and body kinematics of forward flight in drone-flies

Here, we present a detailed analysis of the wing and body kinematics in drone-flies in free flight over a range of speeds from hovering to about 8.5 m s−1. The kinematics was measured by high-speed video techniques. As the speed increased, the body angle decreased and the stroke plane angle increased; the wingbeat frequency changed little; the stroke amplitude first decreased and then increased; the ratio of the downstroke duration to the upstroke duration increased; the mean positional angle increased at lower speeds but changed little at speeds above 3 m s−1. At a speed above about 1.5 m s−1, wing rotation at supination was delayed and that at pronation was advanced, and consequently the wing rotations were mostly performed in the upstroke. In the downstroke, the relative velocity of the wing increased and the effective angle of attack decreased with speed; in the upstroke, they both decreased with speed at lower speeds, and at higher speeds, the relative velocity became larger but the effective angle of attack became very small. As speed increased, the increasing inclination of the stroke plane ensured that the effective angle of attack in the upstroke would not become negative, and that the wing was in suitable orientations for vertical-force and thrust production.
Biomimetics: process, tools and practice

Biomimetics applies principles and strategies abstracted from biological systems to engineering and technological design. With a huge potential for innovation, biomimetics could evolve into a key process in businesses. Yet challenges remain within the process of biomimetics, especially from the perspective of potential users. We work to clarify the understanding of the process of biomimetics. Therefore, we briefly summarize the terminology of biomimetics and bioinspiration. The implementation of biomimetics requires a stated process. Therefore, we present a model of the problem-driven process of biomimetics that can be used for problem-solving activity. The process of biomimetics can be facilitated by existing tools and creative methods. We mapped a set of tools to the biomimetic process model and set up assessment sheets to evaluate the theoretical and practical value of these tools. We analyzed the tools in interdisciplinary research workshops and present the characteristics of the tools. We also present the attempt of a utility tree which, once finalized, could be used to guide users through the process by choosing appropriate tools respective to their own expertize. The aim of this paper is to foster the dialogue and facilitate a closer collaboration within the field of biomimetics.
Complexities of medicines safety: communicating about managing medicines at transition points of care across emergency departments and medical wards.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore how health professionals, patients and family members communicate about managing medicines across transition points of care in two Australian public hospitals. BACKGROUND Medicines errors are common at transition points of care. Little qualitative work has targeted communicating about medicines management across patients' journeys from admission through to discharge. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken. METHODS In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and family members, and focus groups and interviews were undertaken with doctors, nurses and pharmacists (n = 103). These individuals were situated in emergency departments and general medical wards. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Four themes were identified: contextual environment of care, competing responsibilities of care, awareness of responsibility for safety, and interprofessional communication. Contextual environment of care was affected by time pressure and efficiency, and an overriding priority to move patients out of emergency departments. In competing responsibilities of care, a reactive focus was displayed in emergency departments while a proactive stance was demonstrated in medical wards. There was an awareness of responsibility for safety, whereby key stakeholders appreciated the chain of events involved, interpersonal communication affected patients and carers, and consequences existed for patient education related to lack of information. Interdisciplinary communication was associated with communication modalities used in encounters, compartmentalised thinking, and medicines changes relayed to external providers. CONCLUSIONS Medicines management at transition points involved a complex interplay of dynamic features. This interplay infiltrated across diverse environments, affecting patient care within and outside hospitals. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Health professionals require greater appreciation of each other's roles at transition points of care. Prioritisation of high-risk patients is needed, such as those with cognitive impairment and multiple co-morbidities. Establishing workable protocols of communication etiquette and a structured approach to medicines activities may assist in pre-empting problems before they occur.
Variation of intraocular pressure with age and gender

Dear Editor, We read with interest article ‘‘Variation of Intraocular Pressure with Age and Gender’’ by Jeelani et al and we would like to highlight few facts. All intraocular pressure measurements as was stated in the article were carried on only in the sitting position during day, only once. Numbers of studies that measure night-time intraocular pressure in recumbent positions generally find higher mean IOPS. Articles of Liu et al showed that there is significant elevation of intraocular pressure during night. We believe that a material and methods in the article should have been written with more specific data. The authors should have mentioned if all IOP measurements were taken by same trained person or several trained. Also authors should have reported what were exclusion criteria for glaucoma. In our opinion the authors should have mentioned if the direct or indirect fundoscopies were performed. That way authors could have detected lesions due arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus. In article of Sakata et al is written that IOP values increase progressively from the hypertensive patients without retinopathy, to the hypertensive with retinopathy and diabetic hypertensive with retinopathy. We would like to suggest authors to make a bigger sample and try to identify a relationship between intraocular pressure and systemic health parameters not only age and sex but also blood and obesity index. Apart of this we would like to suggest authors to try to include in next article also all patients older than 20 years. They could make then seven age groups, divided by decades ranging from 20 to 29 years to 80+years. Also interested study would be if the authors could investigate relationship between corneal diameter, central corneal curvature, central corneal thickness.
Adult scurvy in skeletal remains of late 19th century mineworkers in Kimberley, South Africa

Throughout history, scurvy has been a well-known disease which develops due to restricted resources of fresh fruit and vegetables. The condition results from an extended limited intake of vitamin C. Although skeletal lesions associated with infantile scurvy have been well described by many authors, very little literature is available on adult scurvy and the resulting skeletal lesions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skeletal remains of a 19th century mining population from Kimberley, South Africa, for any skeletal lesions that may be indicative of adult scurvy. Scurvy was well documented as being extremely prevalent in this population. The skeletal remains of 107 individuals, presumed to have died around 1898, were studied. The majority of these individuals were males between 19 and 45 years of age. It is likely that most individuals were migrant workers at the diamond mines. All bones were visually assessed for macroscopic indications of pathological bone alterations associated with healed scurvy. Bone samples were also taken from ambiguous lesions in order to perform histological investigations. Lesions indicative of possible healed adult scurvy were observed in 16 individuals. These lesions included bilateral ossified haematomas, osteoperiostitic bone changes and periodontal disease. Histological investigation confirmed the presence of ossified haematomas on the anterior tibiae of some individuals. Hospital records and historical documents describing the incidence of scurvy in the local hospitals and the daily diet of the black mine workers supported these findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical Abuse in U.S. Children: Risk Factors and Deficiencies in Referrals to Support Services

More than 600,000 U.S. children are reported for physical abuse annually. Risk factors are proposed in the literature, but a comprehensive, national assessment of risk factors and support services has not been conducted. An analysis of national data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Dataset revealed that domestic violence, parental alcohol and drug use, prior child abuse and neglect, public assistance receipt, and child behavior problems are associated with higher odds of substantiated physical abuse reports, compared to unsubstantiated reports. Most families, however, failed to receive relevant support services for any of these risk factors. Screening by physicians, child protection workers, and others for these risk factors could help identify children at increased risk for physical abuse and inform prevention efforts and support-service provision.
Journal of Health Economics Peer Effects in Adolescent Overweight

This study is the first to estimate peer effects for adolescent weight. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and define peer groups using nominated friends within schools. Endogenous peer groups are accounted for using a combination of school fixed effects, instrumental variables, and alternative definitions of peers (i.e., grade-level peers). Mean peer weight is correlated with adolescent weight, even after controlling endogenous peer groups. The impact of peer weight is larger among females and adolescents with high body mass index. The results are consistent with social multipliers for adolescent overweight policies.