Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tubing internal diameter affects the pressures and oscillation frequencies generated by the therapist-made bubble-positive expiratory pressure device

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the positive expiratory pressures (PEP) and oscillation frequencies generated in the therapist-made-bubble-PEP device using tubing with different internal diameters (IDs). Design: Bench-top experimental study. Therapist-made-bubble-PEP device with a 10 cm column height of water, tubing length of 30 cm with distal end of the tubing resting 3 cm from base of container. Tubing with 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10 mm IDs were tested with flows of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 L/min. A pressure transducer measured the pressures and oscillation frequencies. Data were captured with PhysioDAQxs© software and analyzed with Breathalyser© software. Results: Therapist-made-bubble-PEP device with: (1) 2 mm ID tubing with 5 and 10 L/min flows produced mean(SD) PEP of 20.1(0.2) and 41.8(0.5)cmH2O, respectively, oscillation frequencies of 15-19 Hz; (2) 4 mm ID tubing with 5 and 25 L/min flows produced PEP of 12.5(0.2) and 41.5(0.3)cmH2O, oscillations of 14–18 Hz; (3) 5 mm ID tubing with 5 and 25 L/min flows produced PEP of 10.9(0.1) and 15.8(0.1)cmH2O, oscillations of 17–18 Hz; (4) 7 mm ID tubing with 5 and 25 L/min flows produced PEP of 10.7(0.0) and 12.7(0.2)cmH2O, oscillations of 14–17 Hz; (5) 8 mm ID tubing with 5 and 25 L/min flows produced PEP of 10.5(0.0) and 11.4(0.0)cmH2O, oscillations of 14–18 Hz; and (6) 10 mm ID tubing with 5 and 25 L/min flows produced PEP of 10.4(0.1) and 10.8(0.2)cmH2O, oscillations of 13–17 Hz. Conclusions: Therapist-made-bubble-PEP device with tubing of 10 mm ID generated the most stable PEP in relation to water height (10 cm) irrespective of flow compared to tubing with ID of 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 mm. The oscillation frequencies generated at all flows and tubing IDs were between 13 and 19 Hz.
Advances in Photopletysmography Signal Analysis for Biomedical Applications

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is an important tool for the analysis of a patient’s physiological conditions, as well a method aiding the diagnosis of cardiopathies. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is an optical technique applied in the monitoring of the HRV and its adoption has been growing significantly, compared to the most commonly used method in medicine, Electrocardiography (ECG). In this survey, definitions of these technique are presented, the different types of sensors used are explained, and the methods for the study and analysis of the PPG signal (linear and nonlinear methods) are described. Moreover, the progress, and the clinical and practical applicability of the PPG technique in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases are evaluated. In addition, the latest technologies utilized in the development of new tools for medical diagnosis are presented, such as Internet of Things, Internet of Health Things, genetic algorithms, artificial intelligence and biosensors which result in personalized advances in e-health and health care. After the study of these technologies, it can be noted that PPG associated with them is an important tool for the diagnosis of some diseases, due to its simplicity, its cost–benefit ratio, the easiness of signals acquisition, and especially because it is a non-invasive technique.
‘In some ways it all helps but in some ways it doesn't’: The complexities of service users’ experiences of inpatient mental health care in Australia

Recovery-oriented mental health care requires active involvement of service users in the evaluation of care. While experience of care surveys is routinely given out upon discharge, capturing the depth and detail of service users' experiences in such a way to meaningfully improve services may require more in-depth and targeted approaches. This study aimed to gather voluntary and involuntary service users' experiences of care during hospitalization in two acute adult mental health inpatient units, through the collaborative completion of a purpose designed tool. The purpose of the study was to examine broad experiences of care and to identify the utility of proactive approaches to ongoing service evaluation. Overall, 67 participants were interviewed. Findings highlight the complexity of experiences of care including how an admission can seemingly facilitate clinical recovery while not being recovery-oriented. The findings also detail areas for improvement in the way that care is delivered and evaluated. The implications are particularly pertinent for mental health nurses to consider how, within the existing constraints of their roles, they can provide therapeutic care to all service users.
Cigarette smoke modifies and inactivates SPLUNC1, leading to airway dehydration

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, a major cause of COPD, dysregulates airway epithelial ion transport and diminishes airway surface liquid (ASL) volume. Short palate lung and nasal epithelial clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is secreted into the airway lumen where it maintains airway hydration via interactions with the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). Although ASL hydration is dysregulated in CS‐exposed/COPD airways, effects of CS on SPLUNC1 have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that CS alters SPLUNC1 activity, therefore contributing to ASL dehydration. CS exposure caused irreversible SPLUNC1 aggregation and prevented SPLUNC1 from internalizing ENaC and maintaining ASL hydration. Proteomic analysis revealed αβ‐unsaturated aldehyde modifications to SPLUNCL's cysteine residues. Removal of these cysteines prevented SPLUNC1 from regulating ENaC/ASL volume. In contrast, SPX‐101, a peptide mimetic of natural SPLUNC1, that internalizes ENaC, but does not contain cysteines was unaffected by CS. SPX‐101 increased ASL hydration and attenuated ENaC activity in airway cultures after CS exposure and prolonged survival in a chronic airway disease model. These findings suggest that the CS‐induced defects in SPLUNC1 can be circumvented, thus making SPX‐101 a novel candidate for the treatment of mucus dehydration in COPD. —Moore, P. J., Reidel, B. , Ghosh, A. , Sesma, J., Kesimer, M. , Tarran, R. Cigarette smoke modifies and inactivates SPLUNC1, leading to airway dehydration. FASEB J. 32, 6559–6574 (2018). www.fasebj. org
Obese and Overweight People Food Profile in Brazzaville, Congo

In Congo Brazzaville, there are two factors that early led the country to turn to importation of meat and agricultural products from developed countries: low performances in both livestock farming and agriculture sectors and the popula-tion growth of people who preferably live in urban centers. The association of those two factors has impacts on people nutritional status. This present study, for the first time, shows the actual situation of overweight and obese people food profile in Congo Brazzaville what shall enable to elaborate a database and take further necessary measures to address the issue. To do so, a food consumption study has been carried out in the nine neighborhoods of Brazzaville, the capital city of the republic of Congo, and concerned 65 households. So, it appears that, of the 26.2% of the investigated people, 58.5% were women. The women were the dominant gender, aged between 31 and 40 (p? 0.001). The women who were living alone represented 84.5% and those who were living in couples represented 15.5%. Those investigated people had a low education level: 73.3% of them only attended junior high school. Their households’ monthly income was low too. The households whose sizes ran from 7 to 8 people represented 21.3% and those living with three meals a day at home represented 85.7%. The majority of the investigated people that lived on food dominated by animal proteins represented 92.3%, those living on oilseeds represented 90.8% and simple carbohydrates represented 98.5%. Fruit and vegetables, rich in micronutrients and fibers, were not eaten enough: fruit 3.1% and vegetables 1.5% (p ? 0.001). 86.2% of overweight and obese people had sport activities restrictions. So, people in Brazzaville, according to the above fig-ures, adapt to behavior that leads to obesity. That is why, for such a population, we must initiate a food education and fight bad behavior that leads to obesity.
Targeting the Immune Microenvironment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Focus on T Cell Immunity

Immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bispecific antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have emerged as promising modalities in multiple hematologic malignancies. Despite the excitement surrounding immunotherapy, it is currently not possible to predict which patients will respond. Within solid tumors, the status of the immune microenvironment provides valuable insight regarding potential responses to immune therapies. Much less is known about the immune microenvironment within hematologic malignancies but the characteristics of this environment are likely to serve a similar predictive role. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common hematologic malignancy in adults, and only 25% of patients are alive 5 years following their diagnosis. There is evidence that manipulation of the immune microenvironment by leukemia cells may play a role in promoting therapy resistance and disease relapse. In addition, it has long been documented that through modulation of the immune system following allogeneic bone marrow transplant, AML can be cured, even in patients with the highest risk disease. These concepts, along with the poor prognosis associated with this disease, have encouraged many groups to start exploring the utility of novel immune therapies in AML. While the implementation of these therapies into clinical trials for AML has been supported by preclinical rationale, many questions still exist surrounding their efficacy, tolerability, and the overall optimal approach. In this review, we discuss what is known about the immune microenvironment within AML with a specific focus on T cells and checkpoints, along with their implications for immune therapies.
Overexpression of BraLTP2, a Lipid Transfer Protein of Brassica napus, Results in Increased Trichome Density and Altered Concentration of Secondary Metabolites

Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) belong to a large multigene family that possesses complex physiological functions. Trichomes are present on the aerial surfaces of most plants and include both glandular secretory hairs and non-glandular hairs. In this study, BraLTP2 was isolated from Brassica rapa (B. rapa) and its function was characterized in the important oilseed crop Brassica napus (B. napus). B. rapa lipid transfer protein 2 (BraLTP2) belongs to the little-known Y class of nsLTPs and encodes a predicted secretory protein. In ProBraLTP2::GUS (β-glucuronidase) transgenic plants, strong GUS activity was observed in young leaves and roots, while low activity was observed in the anther. It is noteworthy that strong GUS activity was observed in trichomes of the first four leaves of 4-week-old and 8-week-old seedings, however, it disappeared in 12-week-old seedings. In transgenic plants expressing a BraLTP2::GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion protein, GFP fluorescence localized in the extracellular space of epidermal cells and trichomes. Overexpression of BraLTP2 in B. napus caused an increase in trichome number and altered the accumulation of secondary metabolites in leaves, including 43 upregulated secondary metabolites. Moreover, transgenic plants showed significantly increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that BraLTP2, a new nsLTP gene, may play a role in trichome development and the accumulation of secondary metabolites.
Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Systematic Review

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been investigated because of its intimate relationship with tissue recovery processes, such as on peripheral nerve damage. Based on the wide range of benefits that the PBMT has shown and its clinical relevance, the aim of this research was to carry out a systematic review of the last 10 years, ascertaining the influence of the PBMT in the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. The search was performed in the PubMed/MEDLINE database with the combination of the keywords: low-level laser therapy AND nerve regeneration. Initially, 54 articles were obtained, 26 articles of which were chosen for the study according to the inclusion criteria. In the qualitative aspect, it was observed that PBMT was able to accelerate the process of nerve regeneration, presenting an increase in the number of myelinated fibers and a better lamellar organization of myelin sheath, besides improvement of electrophysiological function, immunoreactivity, high functionality rate, decrease of inflammation, pain, and the facilitation of neural regeneration, release of growth factors, increase of vascular network and collagen. It was concluded that PBMT has beneficial effects on the recovery of nerve lesions, especially when related to a faster regeneration and functional improvement, despite the variety of parameters.
Online Parallel Portfolio Selection with Heterogeneous Island Model

We present an online parallel portfolio selection algorithm based on the island model, which is commonly used for parallelization of evolutionary algorithms. In our case each of the islands runs a different optimization algorithm. The distributed computation is managed by a central planner which periodically changes the running methods during the execution of the algorithm - less successful methods are removed while new instances of more successful methods are added. We compare different types of planners in the heterogeneous island model among themselves and also to the traditional homogeneous model on a wide set of problems. The tests include experiments with different representations of the individuals and different duration of fitness function evaluations. The results show that heterogeneous models are a more general and universal computational tool compared to homogeneous models.
Sweetener content and cariogenic potential of pediatric oral medications: A literature

Sweetened oral medications are widely used for children to facilitate compliance. A variety of natural and artificial sweeteners are used in these drug formulations to augment the sweetness and thereby palatability of the product. There is growing concern among dentists about the increased consumption of sugars in these medications by children, especially those who are chronically ill as it may contribute to diabetes mellitus, dental erosion, and dental caries. This literature review provides information about the sweetener content and cariogenic potential of commonly prescribed pediatric oral medications that are used for managing acute and chronic conditions in children and measures for oral health prevention.
Hippotherapy on postural balance in the sitting position of children with cerebral palsy – Longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Purpose: To verify the effects of 12, 24, 36 hippotherapy sessions over time on postural balance while sitting in children with cerebral palsy as well the effects of treatment after one interruption period of 45 days. Methods: Hippotherapy program with a twice-weekly treatment with a total of 13 children aged 5–10 years old. Measurements of postural balance during sitting were performed using the AMTI AccuSway Plus platform. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in mediolateral and anteroposterior sway after the first 12 hippotherapy sessions, and further significant sway reduction occurred as the treatment progressed. Changes in the center of pressure displacement velocity variable began to occur after 24 sessions. Conclusion: Seated postural balance improved in children with cerebral palsy, as evidenced by lower COP displacement, particularly after a greater number of sessions. After the last evaluations, when completing 36 sessions of hippotherapy, it was verified that the improvements to the postural balance continued to occur. Therefore, further studies with a longer treatment period may help to clarify if, at some point, there is stabilization in the improvement of postural balance. Furthermore, it is important to analyze the impact of hippotherapy on functional activities over time.
Mini-Review: Assessing the Potential Impact of Microneedle Technologies on Home Healthcare Applications

The increasing devolution of healthcare towards community care has meant that the management of many conditions is conducted within the home either by community nurses or by the patients themselves. The administration of medicines within home healthcare scenarios can however be problematic—especially when considering the delivery of medicines through injection. The possibility of needlestick injury (NSI) has become an ever-present hazard within healthcare settings, with a significant proportion of percutaneous injuries occurring during the handling and disposal of the needle. The emergence of transdermal microneedle systems, however, offers a potentially revolutionary advance and could dramatically improve safety—particularly within home healthcare where there are mounting concerns over the use and disposal of sharps. A mini-review of the advantages proffered by microneedle drug delivery technologies is presented and the potential impact on delivery of medicines within the home is critically appraised.
Valosin‐containing protein VCP/p97 is essential for the intracellular development of Leishmania and its survival under heat stress

Valosin‐containing protein (VCP)/p97/Cdc48 is one of the best‐characterised type II cytosolic AAA+ ATPases most known for their role in ubiquitin‐dependent protein quality control. Here, we provide functional insights into the role of the Leishmania VCP/p97 homologue (LiVCP) in the parasite intracellular development. We demonstrate that although LiVCP is an essential gene, Leishmania infantum promastigotes can grow with less VCP. In contrast, growth of axenic and intracellular amastigotes is dramatically affected upon decreased LiVCP levels in heterozygous and temperature sensitive (ts) LiVCP mutants or the expression of dominant negative mutants known to specifically target the second conserved VCP ATPase domain, a major contributor of the VCP overall ATPase activity. Interestingly, these VCP mutants are also unable to survive heat stress, and a ts VCP mutant is defective in amastigote growth. Consistent with LiVCP's essential function in amastigotes, LiVCP messenger ribonucleic acid undergoes 3'Untranslated Region (UTR)‐mediated developmental regulation, resulting in higher VCP expression in amastigotes. Furthermore, we show that parasite mutant lines expressing lower VCP levels or dominant negative VCP forms exhibit high accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins and increased sensitivity to proteotoxic stress, supporting the ubiquitin‐selective chaperone function of LiVCP. Together, these results emphasise the crucial role LiVCP plays under heat stress and during the parasite intracellular development.
Unusual root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar and its management: A rare case report

Clinicians proceed the canal exploration according to the literature so far reported. At times, there are apparent variations in the teeth. These discrepancies should be thoroughly surveyed and piled up to date. One such rare complexity of canal morphology was discussed in the present case. A 48-year-old female patient referred to the endodontic clinic for full-mouth rehabilitation. On intraoral hard-tissue examination, decay was noted in multiple teeth which were confirmed by an orthopantomogram and endodontic treatment plan was suggested. The patient was prepared for the access opening of right mandibular first premolar (tooth #44) before which endodontic treatment of first and second quadrants was completed. The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images revealed that tooth # 44 had two separate roots and four distinct root canals (mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, distobuccal, and distolingual). Root canal treatment was completed in two visits. Postoperative CBCT was advised to confirm the obturation of all the canals.
The patterns of the numbers used in occupational fraud schemes

Purpose This study aims to classify the numbers used in recent financial statement, corruption and asset misappropriation fraud schemes in such a way that these classes can be used to design effective proactive analytics-based fraud detection tests. Design/methodology/approach The data sources for the classification scheme include the court records of fraud prosecutions, investigative reports and research papers related to fraud cases. Findings Fraudulent numbers are most often amounts that are round, have a strong period-over-period growth, are just above or below internal control thresholds or other targets, are deviations from Benford’s Law, are purposeful duplicates of authentic transactions, are outliers due to being excessively large and are excessively rounded up or down. The study includes several examples of fraudulent numbers. Research limitations/implications The fraudulent number types are based on a sample of fraud-related court documents, and the sample might not be representative of the population of detected and undetected frauds. Further research is needed into the detection of corruption/bribery schemes. Practical implications The results are important for auditors and forensic accountants running proactive fraud detection tests. The discussions emphasize that the analysis should include refining and rerunning the tests, and then using groupings and filtering to deal with false positives. The importance of an effective audit of the notable transactions is stressed in the concluding section. Originality/value The study is an original in-depth coverage of the patterns found in fraudulent numbers. The discussion sections review implementation issues and considerations for future research.
The Internet in the Arab World: Playground for Political Liberalization

fter decades of political stagnation, in early 2005 new winds of hope were felt in the Middle East, accompanied by a new catchword making the rounds in the American media, »Arab spring. « The perfect embodiment of the new trend was seen in the popular demonstrations in Lebanon that helped to bring down the government and to force Syria to withdraw her troops. National elections in Iraq and local ones in Palestine and Saudi Arabia, or the change of the Egyptian constitution to allow more than one presidential candidate were other signs that change might finally be under way. The age of the old patriarchs, it appeared, was nearing its end. And the new media – satellite television, mobile phones, the Internet – were often regarded as having precipitated this development by undermining governments’ hegemonic control over the flow of information. Not to forget, of course, external factors: supporters of the Bush administration maintained that it was us firmness and insistence on the values of freedom and democracy that was beginning to bear fruit.