Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine in patients with peripheral arterial disease: is it worth the effort?

ABSTRACT Introduction: For patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), the various components of telemedicine, such as telemonitoring, telecoaching, and teleconsultation, could be valuable in daily management. The objective of this review was to give an overview of the current use of telemedicine interventions in PAD. Areas covered: A literature search was performed for studies that evaluated patients with PAD of the aorto-pedal trajectory, who were monitored by telemedicine and acted upon accordingly. The primary outcome was health-related outcomes. The studies that were found focused mainly on wearable activity monitoring and telecoaching in PAD (n = 4) or wound monitoring after vascular surgery (n = 2). Main results indicate that telemedicine interventions are able to detect (post-operative) complications early, improve functional capacity and claudication onset time, and improve PAD patients’ quality of life. Expert opinion: The use of telemedicine in PAD patients is still an under-explored area. Studies investigating the use of telemedicine in PAD are very limited and show varying results. Owing to its high potential in improving physical ability, lifestyle coaching, and timely detection of deterioration, future research should focus on proper implementation of telemedicine in PAD patients, including clinical and feasibility outcomes, effect on workload of nurses, and cost-efficiency.
EMG- Versus EEG-Triggered Electrical Stimulation for Inducing Corticospinal Plasticity

Brain-computer interfaces have been proposed for stroke rehabilitation. Motor cortical activity derived from the electroencephalography (EEG) can trigger external devices that provide congruent sensory feedback. However, many stroke patients regain residual muscle (EMG: electromyography) control due to spontaneous recovery and rehabilitation; therefore, EEG may not be necessary as a control signal. In this paper, a direct comparison was made between the induction of corticospinal plasticity using either EEG- or EMG-controlled electrical nerve stimulation. Twenty healthy participants participated in two intervention sessions consisting of EEG- and EMG-controlled electrical stimulation. The sessions consisted of 50 pairings between foot dorsiflexion movements (decoded through either EEG or EMG) and electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. Before, immediately after and 30 minutes after the intervention, 15 motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were elicited in tibialis anterior through transcranial magnetic stimulation. Increased MEPs were observed immediately after (62 ± 26%, 73 ± 27% for EEG- and EMG-triggered electrical stimulation, respectively) and 30 minutes after each of the two interventions (79 ± 26% and 72 ± 27%) compared to the pre-intervention measurement. There was no difference between the interventions. Both EEG- and EMG-controlled electrical stimulation can induce corticospinal plasticity which suggests that stroke patients with residual EMG can use that modality instead of EEG to trigger stimulation.
Long-term follow-up after multiple plastic stenting for refractory pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis

Abstract Background Dominant pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis are often managed by endoscopic placement of a single plastic stent. Insertion of multiple plastic stents (MPS) has been proven to be effective in managing refractory strictures, but data are still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and long-term results of MPS to dilate pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis. Methods 48 patients (34 men; mean age 44 years) with chronic pancreatitis and a single pancreatic stent through a refractory stricture in the pancreatic head underwent the following protocol: 1) removal of the single pancreatic stent; 2) balloon dilation of the stricture; 3) insertion of the maximum number of stents; 4) stent removal after 6 – 12 months. Results The median number of pancreatic plastic stents placed was 3 (diameter 7 – 11.5 Fr, length 3 – 7 cm). Five patients (10.4 %) had persistent strictures after MPS removal. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 years (0.3 – 15.5 years) after stent removal, 74.4 % (32/43) of the patients were asymptomatic, and 25.6 % (11/43) experienced pancreatitis recurrence or pancreatic type pain after a mean time of 26.4 months (8/43, 18.6 % underwent plug extraction without evidence of stricture recurrence; 3/43, 7.0 % had stricture recurrence). No major complications were recorded. Conclusion Endoscopic multiple plastic stenting of chronic pancreatitis-related pancreatic duct strictures showed satisfactory long-term results, with the option of re-treatment. This procedure can be considered an important therapeutic alternative for painful pancreatic duct strictures located in the head of the pancreas in the setting of chronic pancreatitis.
Knowledge Graph Embedding for Hyper-Relational Data

Knowledge graph representation has been a long standing goal of artificial intelligence. In this paper, we consider a method for knowledge graph embedding of hyper-relational data, which are commonly found in knowledge graphs. Previous models such as Trans (E, H, R) and CTransR are either insufficient for embedding hyper-relational data or focus on projecting an entity into multiple embeddings, which might not be effective for generalization nor accurately reflect real knowledge. To overcome these issues, we propose the novel model TransHR, which transforms the hyper-relations in a pair of entities into an individual vector, serving as a translation between them. We experimentally evaluate our model on two typical tasks-link prediction and triple classification. The results demonstrate that TransHR significantly outperforms Trans (E, H, R) and CTransR, especially for hyperrelational data.
TREEDETECTION: AUTOMATIC TREE DETECTION USING UAV-BASED DATA

In this study it is presented a toolbox built in ArcGIS using ArcPy designed to automatically detect trees in high resolution data obtained from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The toolbox, TreeDetection, contains a tool called TreeDetect, which requires three parameters: a raster input, a conversion factor and an output folder. Three other optional parameters can be changed to improve the detection according to characteristics of the forest and raster source. We tested the TreeDetect tool in three study sites: a young Eucalyptus plantation; adult Eucalyptus and Pinus stands; and a Mixed Hardwood natural forest. We also tested distinct raster inputs, according to the data availability in each site. The tool was considered efficient to detect the trees in the three study areas. The detection accuracy was lower in the natural stand, as expected considering the complex structure of this forest type. All the raster input rested provided satisfactory results, but in the homogeneous stand the Digital Surface Model (DSM) was not as effective as the spectral bands. Furthermore, research can be performed with emphasis in different sensors and band combinations, as well in the parameters’ selection.
Differences in kynurenine metabolism during depressive, manic, and euthymic phases of bipolar affective disorder.

Background amp; Objective: The kynurenine pathway is involved in inflammatory diseases. Alterations of this pathway were shown in psychiatric entities as well. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific changes in kynurenine metabolism are associated with current mood symptoms in bipolar disorder. METHODS Sum scores of the Hamilton Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Young Mania Rating Scale were collected from 156 bipolar individuals to build groups of depressive, manic and euthymic subjects according to predefined cut-off scores. Severity of current mood symptoms was correlated with activities of the enzymes kynurenine 3- monooxygenase (ratio of 3-hydroxykynurenine/ kynurenine), kynurenine aminotransferase (ratio of kynurenic acid/ kynurenine) and kynureninase (ratio of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid/ 3-hydroxykynurenine), proxied by ratios of serum concentrations. RESULTS Individuals with manic symptoms showed a shift towards higher kynurenine 3-monooxygenase activity (χ 2 = 7.14, Df = 2, p = .028), compared to euthymic as well as depressed individuals. There were no differences between groups regarding activity of kynurenine aminotransferase and kynureninase. Within the group of depressed patients, Hamilton Depression Scale and kynurenine aminotransferase showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.41, p = .036), displaying lower metabolism in the direction of kynurenic acid. CONCLUSION Depression severity in bipolar disorder seems to be associated with a decreased synthesis of putative neuroprotective kynurenic acid. Furthermore, higher kynurenine 3-monooxygenase activity in currently manic individuals indicates an increased inflammatory state within bipolar disorder with more severe inflammation during manic episodes. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of the different affective episodes could represent parallel mechanisms rather than opposed processes.
Nucleoside dimers analogs containing floxuridine and thymidine with unnatural linker groups: synthesis and cancer line studies. Part III

Abstract Two series of novel fluorinated nucleosides dimers with an unnatural 1,2,3-triazole linkage were synthesized. The obtained molecules were prepared using “click” chemistry approach based on copper(I) catalyzed Huisgen azide–alkyne cycloaddition. It was performed between 3′- and 5′-azido-nucleosides as the azide components, and the 3′-O- and 5′-O-propargyl-nucleosides as the alkyne components. Based on analysis of the 3JHH, 3JH1′C2 and 3JH1′C6 we estimated conformational preferences of sugar part and orientation around glycosidic bond. All described nucleosides dimers analogs were characterized by spectroscopic methods and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity in three human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), oral (KB) and breast (MCF-7).
Minimizing Convergecast Time and Energy Consumption in Green Internet of Things

Real-time surveillance systems with green wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are vital for maintaining high energy efficiency in many situations. This paper considers a scenario utilizing green WSNs to monitor the situation of Internet of Things (IoT), which constitute one of the most crucial sources of electricity consumption in information and communications technologies (ICT). More specifically, we focus on optimizing the cluster structure to minimize the delay and energy consumption for aggregation convergecast in green WSNs. We first find the optimal value of the network cluster radius for minimizing the delay through theoretical analysis. We then propose a novel cluster network architecture in which clusters that are far from the sink are small, allowing inter-cluster data aggregation to be processed earlier, and clusters that are near the sink are relatively large to allow more time for intra-cluster data aggregation. Hence, the sensor nodes can be scheduled in consecutive time slots to reduce the number of state transitions, consequently achieving the goal of minimizing both delay and energy consumption. Simulation results indicate that the proposed Algorithm outperforms previously reported solutions in terms of both schedule length and lifetime, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness.
Ridge preservation following tooth extraction using bovine xenograft compared to porcine xenograft. A randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE The primary purpose of this study was to histologically determine if there is a significant difference in new bone formation, residual graft material and connective tissue/other when ridge preservation is accomplished using a bovine vs. a porcine xenograft. METHODS Forty-four patients needing a single rooted tooth extraction and ridge preservation in preparation for dental implant placement were recruited in the study. After minimally traumatic tooth extraction, alveolar ridge dimensions were measured using a custom-fabricated acrylic stent. Patients were then randomized 1:1 to receive ridge preservation using either bovine or porcine xenograft material. A trimmed dense polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane was overlaid on the graft material, the mucoperiosteal flaps were replaced, and the surgical site was sutured. After 18-20 weeks of wound healing, sites were surgically re-entered, ridge dimensions were again measured using the previously fabricated acrylic stents and a bone core sample of the grafted site was harvested for histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS Thirty eight of the 44 enrolled patients completed the study, 17 from the bovine group and 21 from the porcine group. Histologically, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups for mean percentage of vital bone formation (bovine = 36.21%, porcine = 31.27%, p = 0.49), residual graft material (bovine = 20.47%, porcine = 19.52%, p = 0.82) and connective tissue/other (bovine = 43.32%, porcine = 49.21%, p = 0.19). For secondary outcomes, there were no significant differences between the groups for mean change in buccal ridge height, lingual ridge height, and ridge width. However, a higher number of patients in the porcine group had additional grafting at the time of implant placement, either due to thin buccal plate or failure of implant stability. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that ridge preservation with porcine xenograft results in comparable histomorphometric outcomes and dimensional stability with bovine xenograft. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Mortality of older construction and craft workers employed at department of energy nuclear sites: Follow-up through 2016.

BACKGROUND To determine if construction and trades workers employed at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear sites facilities are at significant risk for diseases associated with occupational exposures, we compared the mortality experience of participants in the Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed) to that of the US population. METHODS The cohort includes 24,086 BTMed participants enrolled between 1998 and 2016 and 5203 deaths. Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios were calculated based on US death rates. RESULTS Mortality was elevated for all causes, all cancers, cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung and lymphatic and hematopoietic system, mesothelioma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asbestosis, transportation injuries, and other injuries, particularly those caused by accidental poisoning, suggesting a possible effect of the opioid epidemic. CONCLUSIONS Apart from other injuries, mortality patterns were very similar to those reported in the past in this population. Construction workers employed at DOE sites have a significantly increased risk for occupational illnesses. Risks are associated with employment during all time periods covered including possibly after 1990. The cancer risks closely match the cancers identified for DOE compensation from radiation exposures. The high risk of lung cancer supports the value of early lung cancer detection. Continued medical surveillance is important.
Intervention for burnout among postgraduate chemistry education students

Objective This study investigated the efficacy of a group rational emotive behavioural intervention for burnout among postgraduate chemistry education students in Nigeria. Method Participants were 36 postgraduate chemistry education students with high burnout symptoms; 18 students were randomly assigned to an experimental group and 18 to a control group. The Oldenburg Burnout Inventory – Student Version was used to assess burnout. Results There was no significant difference between the experimental group and control group in pretest mean burnout scores. However, experimental group posttest scores showed a significant improvement compared with both experimental group pretest scores and with control group posttest scores, indicating that the group rational emotive behavioural intervention was effective in enabling postgraduate chemistry education students to manage burnout. Experimental group follow-up scores showed a significantly sustained improvement compared with both experimental group posttest scores and with control group follow-up scores, indicating that the effect of the intervention was maintained at follow-up. Conclusion The group rational emotive behavioural intervention was an effective treatment modality for burnout in postgraduate chemistry education students.
Generalized exchange orientation: Conceptualization and scale development.

We conceptualize generalized exchange orientation, and develop and validate a scale assessing individual orientations toward generalized exchange as well as reciprocal and negotiated exchange for offering a full set of measurements for social exchange orientation. Through 4 phases and using data from 1,408 participants, we established factorial, nomological, discriminant, and incremental validity of the social exchange orientation Scale and examined measurement invariance of the scale between samples from the United States and Japan. First, our findings indicate the newly developed scale for generalized exchange orientation (GEO) is distinct from measures of other forms of social exchange orientation and prosocial orientation. Second, the GEO Scale shows incremental validity as it predicts citizenship behaviors toward individuals above and beyond the key dispositional antecedents known in the literature. Implications and future research on generalized exchange are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
The impacts of decentralization on health system equity, efficiency and resilience: a realist synthesis of the evidence

Abstract One constant refrain in evaluations and reviews of decentralization is that the results are mixed. But given that decentralization is a complex intervention or phenomenon, what is more important is to generate evidence to inform implementation strategies. We therefore synthesized evidence from the literature to understand why, how and under what circumstances decentralization influences health system equity, efficiency and resilience. In doing this, we adopted the realist approach to evidence synthesis and included quantitative and qualitative studies in high-, low- and middle-income countries that assessed the the impact of decentralization on health systems. We searched the Medline and Embase databases via Ovid, and the Cochrane library of systematic reviews and included 51 studies with data from 25 countries. We identified three mechanisms through which decentralization impacts on health system equity, efficiency and resilience: ‘Voting with feet’ (reflecting how decentralization either exacerbates or assuages the existing patterns of inequities in the distribution of people, resources and outcomes in a jurisdiction); ‘Close to ground’ (reflecting how bringing governance closer to the people allows for use of local initiative, information, feedback, input and control); and ‘Watching the watchers’ (reflecting mutual accountability and support relations between multiple centres of governance which are multiplied by decentralization, involving governments at different levels and also community health committees and health boards). We also identified institutional, socio-economic and geographic contextual factors that influence each of these mechanisms. By moving beyond findings that the effects of decentralization on health systems and outcomes are mixed, this review presents mechanisms and contextual factors to which policymakers and implementers need to pay attention in their efforts to maximize the positive and minimize the negative impact of decentralized governance.
A phase II study of bortezomib in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for acute myeloid leukemia

Sickle Cell Center, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Involuntary admission of psychiatric patients: Referring physicians’ perceptions of competence

Background: Involuntary admissions can be detrimental for patients. Due to legal, ethical and clinical considerations, they are also challenging for referring physicians. Nevertheless, not much is known about the subjective perceptions of those who have to decide whether to conduct an involuntary admission or not. Aims: This study aimed at answering the question whether psychiatrists’ perceptions of confidence during psychiatric emergency situations and consecutive involuntary admissions differ from those of physicians without a psychiatric training. Method: We assessed the professional background and subjective perceptions during psychiatric emergency situations in physicians who executed involuntary admissions to the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich. We used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests and chi-square tests to compare the responses of 43 psychiatrists with those of 64 other physicians. Results: Psychiatrists felt less time constraints compared with non-psychiatric residents. The latter also had more doubts on the necessity of the involuntary admission issued. Psychiatrists considered themselves significantly more experienced in handling psychiatric emergency situations and in handling the criteria for involuntary admissions than other physicians. Psychiatrists and other physicians did not differ in their satisfaction concerning course and results of psychiatric emergency situations which was overall high. About half of all participants felt pressure from third parties. Conclusion: Psychiatric emergency situations are challenging situations not only for patients but also for the involved physicians. Physicians with a specialized training might be more confident in the handling of psychiatric emergency situations and exertion of involuntary admissions. Non-psychiatric physicians might benefit from specialized training programs.
Spiraling work engagement and change appraisals: A three-wave longitudinal study during organizational change.

In this longitudinal field study, we examine reciprocal relationships between within-person changes in work engagement and cognitive appraisals of change (threat and challenge) across an organizational merger. Examination of these cyclical relationships provides a more accurate understanding of the complexity of employees' experience of change and a new test of spiraling work engagement and cognitive appraisals. Latent change score modeling is used to analyze 3 waves of longitudinal survey data (N = 623). Our findings showed that engagement mitigated threat appraisals and enhanced challenge appraisals through pre- and postmerger phases. A reciprocal relationship between threat appraisal and engagement was also observed, such that threat fueled decreases in engagement throughout the merger. Challenge appraisal was associated with enhanced work engagement during the first merger phase. This examination advocates managers of change to foster employees' work engagement already prior to change endeavors, along with mitigating threat appraisals throughout organizational change events. Fostering positive challenge appraisals appears to be particularly important for employees' work engagement during times of major changes. Findings suggest that upward spiral of work engagement, as postulated on the basis of the broaden-and-build theory, may be more likely to occur through engagement mitigating negative cognitions (threat) than promoting positive cognitions (challenge). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).