Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disability Related to Function of the Upper Extremities in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis – Course and Relation to Other Disease Parameters Over 10 Years: A Cohort Study

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the course of disability related to the upper extremities (UE) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to assess correlations between such disability and clinical parameters, including grip force. Methods: In an inception cohort of patients with early RA (N=222), disability of the UE was assessed using a subscore of the Health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI), and average grip force of the dominant hand was measured. Changes between consecutive follow-up visits in the HAQ-DI-UE subscore were assessed using the paired samples t-test, and correlations with key disease parameters using Spearman’s rank test. The relation between joint involvement and HAQ-DI-UE was examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: The HAQ-DI-UE decreased significantly from inclusion to the 6-month follow-up (mean change -0.26; 95% CI -0.18 to -0.34), and increased significantly after 2 years. There were fairly strong correlations for HAQ-DI-UE with grip force (r: -0.50 to -0.62), patient’s global assessment (r:0.58 to 0.64) and patient’s assessment of pain (r:0.54 to 0.60) at all time points up to 5 years, but only moderate to weak correlations with swollen joints, CRP and ESR. At inclusion wrist synovitis and tender PIP joints had both an independent impact on HAQ-DI-UE, whereas tenderness of the shoulder and the wrist had a greater importance at 6 months. Conclusions: Disability related to the upper extremities decreased significantly during the first 6 months, and increased again after 2 years. The correlations with clinical parameters underline the major impact of pain and impaired hand function in early RA.
The effects of speaking rate and vowel context on nasalance

This study examined the effects of speaking rate and vowel context on nasalance scores as derived from the Nasometer. The subjects were 15 children and adults with repaired cleft palate, aged between 6;05 and 25;03 years, and 15 age- and sex-matched control subjects without cleft palate. Speech samples included 5 high vowel loaded sentences and 5 low vowel loaded sentences. Each speaker read the sentences at slow, normal and fast speaking rates. Mean nasalance score was obtained for the sentences at different speaking rates and in the two different vowel contexts for each subject. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in nasalance for the slow, normal and fast speaking rates in both the cleft group and the non-cleft group. High vowel sentences had statistically higher nasalance than low vowel sentences in the cleft group only. There was large variability within the cleft group. No age effect was observed in the study. Possible explanations for the results were discussed.
Brain-Computer Interfaces: Revolutionizing Human-Computer Interaction

A brain-computer interface (BCI) establishes a direct output channel between the human brain and external devices. BCIs infer user intent via direct measures of brain activity and thus enable communication and control without movement. This book, authored by experts in the field, provides an accessible introduction to the neurophysiological and signal-processing background required for BCI, presents state-of-the-art non-invasive and invasive approaches, gives an overview of current hardware and software solutions, and reviews the most interesting as well as new, emerging BCI applications. The book is intended not only for students and young researchers, but also for newcomers and other readers from diverse backgrounds keen to learn about this vital scientific endeavour.
EFECTO DE LA COMPOSICIÓN Y EL TIEMPO DE PROCESADO SOBRE LAS PROPIEDADES TECNOLÓGICAS Y ÓPTICAS DE LAS EMULSIONES CÁRNICAS

The principal challenge in the manufacture of meat emulsion products such as frankfurters and bologna is to produce stable meat products that can withstand the subsequent cooking process without fat and water separation. An emulsion breakdown is only evident during the heating process, but at this point it is too late to introduce corrective actions. Starch, fat, and non-meat proteins are very frequently used to improve emulsion stability and processing yield after cooking. In this study, two pork meat-fat ratio products with different percentages of starch were chopped for a period of 16 min. Samples were taken at 2 min intervals for CIELAB coordinates, gel strength and cooking measurements. The results suggest that low fat meat emulsion products made with starch had a significant decrease in cooking loss, better processing yield after cooking and higher final product stability. The increase of L* values at the beginning of process was accompanied with an increase of gel firmness (P‹0.01) and reduced cooking loss (P‹0.001). High fat meat emulsion products made without starch showed a significant increase (P‹0.01) of cooking loss after 10 min of chopping accompanied by low L* value and a higher tendency for emulsion breakdown. These results suggest that further test should be conducted to determine if the optical parameter L* contains sufficient information to predict cooking loss during emulsify process and to evaluate the independent effects of starch and meat-fat on final product stability.
Estimation of in-vivo muscle moment arms around the MCP joint using ultrasound

Since in the finger most muscle-tendons cross multiple joints, moment arms (MA’s) of these muscle-tendons have a major influence on the distribution of joint moments over these joints. This is crucial for finger balance and therefore finger functioning. Recent developments in the technique of ultrasonic measurements have made it possible to accurately measure tendon displacements over a large range of motion in-vivo. The change in tendon displacement divided by the change in corresponding joint angle (dl/d? ) was used to estimate joint angle dependent MA’s (MAest) of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendon at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the long finger. In addition, MA’s were obtained from the joint geometry for each individual subject (MAgeo). Two sessions of 3 repetitions of active flexion-extension motion of the long finger were conducted by each of the five subjects enrolled in this study. The intra subject repeatability between the two sessions at 0 degrees of flexion for the FDS and EDC tendon was good (ICC > 0.95, p = 0.004 and 0.101 respectively) but rather weak for the FDP (ICC = 0.630, p = 0.157). The obtained MAest values were underestimated in comparison to the MAgeo values. Thus, this method proved to be promising, but should be further validated and developed to yield sufficiently reliable results. Once fully developed, the in-vivo estimation of MA’s can be used to determine the subject specific muscle MA balances around the finger joints. These MA balances can be an important parameter for a musculoskeletal finger model. In addition, it can be a generic measure for finger pathologies where finger balance is disturbed.
Effects of Tidal Volume on Physiology and Clinical Outcomes of Surgery Patients Undergoing One-lung Ventilation: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: It is unclear how tidal volume (Vt) impacts patients during one-lung ventilation (OLV). A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of Vt on physiology and clinical outcomes in OLV patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane library, and Web of Science were retrieved until February 2020. Randomized controlled trials comparing the application of low and high Vt ventilation in adults with OLV were included. Demographic variables, Vt, physiology, and clinical outcomes were retrieved. Summary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and mean difference with standard deviation were calculated using a random-effects model.Results: 12 studies involving a total of 876 participants met inclusion criteria. Significant difference in blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) was observed between low Vt ventilation and high Vt ventilation (MD -35.51 pg/ml, 95% CI [-66.47, -4.54 pg/ml], p = 0.02). Low Vt ventilation decreased driving pressure (ΔP) (MD -6.02 cmH2O, 95% CI [-8.32, -3.72 cmH2O], p < 0.0001), Peak pressure (Ppeak) (MD -2.88 cmH2O, 95% CI [-4.60, -1.16 cmH2O], p = 0.001), and improved PaO2/FiO2 (MD 32.27 mmHg, 95% CI [19.54, 45.01 mmHg], p <0.00001). Risk of atelectasis was the same between the two groups. Furthermore, the study suggested that low Vt ventilation was associated with decreases in the risk of acute lung injury (OR 0.05, 95% CI [0.28, 0.88], p = 0.02). Decreased hospital length of stay in the low Vt group occurred when Vt was set 4-5 ml/kg (MD -0.78 d, 95% CI [-1.45, -0.11 d], p = 0.02). Conclusions: In OLV patients, low Vt ventilation improved PaO2/FiO2, and it was also associated with decreased blood IL-6, ΔP, Ppeak, and risk of acute lung injury, when the low Vt was set 4-5 ml/kg hospital length of stay was decreased .
An investigation of the knowledge and practices relating to drink driving among Chinese drivers

This project was a comprehensive study of drink driving in two Chinese cities. It examined general motor vehicle drivers' and drunk driving offenders' knowledge on and practices of drinking and driving, and their interaction with alcohol misuse problems. In addition, traffic police officers' perceptions of drink driving and their legal enforcement practices were studied. The differences between the two cities (Guangzhou and Yinchuan) were discussed and the approaches by China and Australia to drink driving legislation, legal enforcement and policy were also compared.
Occurrence and antibiotic susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes along meat production chain in southwest Ethiopia﻿

Background The widespread habit of consumption of raw meat along with poor hygiene during handling, transportation and processing are the major contributors to the high prevalence of food-borne diseases in Ethiopia. Listeriosis is one of the important food-borne diseases acquired through consumption of meat. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Listeria species in meat collected from abattoir and butcher shops.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2019 on isolation, phenotypic characterization, and determination of antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates of L. monocytogenes. A total of 100 meat samples were collected from abattoir and butcher shops in Jimma Town. Laboratory based isolation and characterization of the Listeria species was made using conventional culture and biolog. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using ten different selected antibiotics of current veterinary and human therapy. An observational check list was used to assess meat handling practices of butcher shops and abattoir workers.Results From the total of 100 samples collected from butcher shops and the abattoir, 29 (29%; 95% CI: 21.0-38.5%) were found positive for Listeria species. Out of this, 15 (30%, 95% CI: 34.4–68.6%) samples were from the butcher shops and 14 (28%, 95% CI: 31.4–65.6%) were from the abattoir. L. innocua (48.3%) was the dominant species followed by L. seeligeri (27.6%). L. monocytogenes accounts 7% of the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that L. monocytogenes isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, vancomycin, Sulfamethoxazole-Sulfamethrimethoprim, chloramphenicol and cloxacillin. In contrary, L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to cloxacillin, penicillin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. On the other hand, low level of education, lack of training on meat handling and poor cleanliness of meat contact surfaces were significantly associated with the occurrence of Listeria spp. (P < 0.05). Conclusion The findings highlighted the need for regular training on hygienic meat handling practices for meat handlers in order to minimize the risk of food borne diseases. Furthermore, regulation of the optimal use of antimicrobials in food producing animals is highly recommended so as to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Improving surgical outcomes in advanced ovarian cancer: a UK centre quality improvement strategy

Purpose National outcomes for epithelial ovarian cancer in the UK are inferior to those in other European countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of a multidisciplinary approach to cytoreductive surgery on residual disease status and progression free survival in a single UK region. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer between November 2011 and November 2015 in South East Scotland were analysed. Regular multidisciplinary surgery was established on 1st November 2013. Outcomes for patients diagnosed in the two years prior to (group 1) and following this change (group 2) in practice were examined. Results 224 consecutive patients underwent surgery. There was no difference between groups in terms of age, FIGO stage or histological subtype. Patients in group 2 were more likely to undergo primary surgery (p=0.01) and bowel resection (p=0.002). Rates of optimal cytoreduction were not significantly different between group 1(69.6%) and group 2 (66.1%) (p=0.67). The upper abdomen was the most common site of residual disease. No difference in PFS (median PFS; 15.5 vs. 14.0 months, p=0.13), morbidity (p=0.82) or mortality (p=1.00) was identified. PFS was improved in those patients undergoing primary surgery compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.04). Conclusion Robust quality improvement strategies are required to overcome historic barriers to cytoreductive surgery in the UK. Comprehensive attempts at debulking in the upper abdomen are required if rates of complete cytoreduction are to be improved. We have extended the multidisciplinary model in our institution to include upper abdominal surgery and anticipate an improvement in cytoreduction.
Particulate Measurements and Emissions Characterization of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Exhaust

The objective of this project was to measure and characterize particulate emissions from light-duty alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and equivalent gasoline-fueled vehicles. The project included emission testing of a fleet of 129 gasoline-fueled vehicles and 19 diesel vehicles. Particulate measurements were obtained over Federal Test Procedure and US06 cycles. Chemical characterization of the exhaust particulate was also performed. Overall, the particulate emissions from modern technology compressed natural gas and methanol vehicles were low, but were still comparable to those of similar technology gasoline vehicles.
Spectrally phase coded optical code division multiple access (O-CDMA) system and spectral line-by-line pulse shaping

xvii 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Optical Code Division Multiple Access (O-CDMA) System . 1 1.2 Spectral Line-by-Line Pulse Shaping . 5 2. MULTI-USER, ~Gb/s O-CDMA TESTBED. 12 2.1 Four User O-CDMA System Testbed 12 2.1.1 10 GHz 400 fs Pulse Source . 13 2.1.2 Pulse Shaper Encoder/Decoder . 13 2.1. 3 Nonlinear Processing Based on PPLN . 16 2.2 Four Users, 2.5 Gb/s System Experiments . 17 2.2.1 System Performance Measurement 17 2.2.2 Multi-Level Codes and Capability of Programmable Coding 19 2.2.3 System Degradation Caused by Pulse Overlap Between Users . 20 2.3 Four Users, 10 Gb/s System Experiments 21 2.3.1 Slot-Level Timing Coordination Scheme Utilizing M-Sequence Coding. 21 2.3.2 Hybrid Chip and Slot-Level Timing Coordination Scheme Utilizing Double Hadamard Coding . 23 3. RECONFIGURABLE ALL-OPTICAL CODE TRANSALTION IN SPECTRALLY PHASE CODED O-CDMA NETWORKS . 40 3.1 Introduction of Code Translation in O-CDMA Networks 40 3.2 Principle of Code Translation . 41 3.3 1-Stage Code Translation Experiment . 43 3.4 2-Stage Code Translation Experiment . 45 3.5 Pulse Degradation Caused by Coding . 46
Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering

Praise for Noise Reduction Techniques IN electronic systems "Henry Ott has literally 'written the book' on the subject of EMC. He not only knows the subject, but has the rare ability to communicate that knowledge to others. " EE Times Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering is a completely revised, expanded, and updated version of Henry Ott's popular book Noise Reduction Techniques in Electronic Systems. It reflects the most recent developments in the field of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and noise reductionand their practical applications to the design of analog and digital circuits in computer, home entertainment, medical, telecom, industrial process control, and automotive equipment, as well as military and aerospace systems. While maintaining and updating the core informationsuch as cabling, grounding, filtering, shielding, digital circuit grounding and layout, and ESDthat made the previous book such a wide success, this new book includes additional coverage of: Equipment/systems grounding Switching power supplies and variable-speed motor drives Digital circuit power distribution and decoupling PCB layout and stack-up Mixed-signal PCB layout RF and transient immunity Power line disturbances Precompliance EMC measurements New appendices on dipole antennae, the theory of partial inductance, and the ten most common EMC problems The concepts presented are applicable to analog and digital circuits operating from below audio frequencies to those in the GHz range. Throughout the book, an emphasis is placed on cost-effective EMC designs, with the amount and complexity of mathematics kept to the strictest minimum. Complemented with over 250 problems with answers, Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering equips readers with the knowledge needed to design electronic equipment that is compatible with the electromagnetic environment and compliant with national and international EMC regulations. It is an essential resource for practicing engineers who face EMC and regulatory compliance issues and an ideal textbook for EE courses at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.
Sickle cell disease chronic joint pain: Clinical assessment based on maladaptive central nervous system plasticity

Chronic joint pain (CJP) is among the significant musculoskeletal comorbidities in sickle cell disease (SCD) individuals. However, many healthcare professionals have difficulties in understanding and evaluating it. In addition, most musculoskeletal evaluation procedures do not consider central nervous system (CNS) plasticity associated with CJP, which is frequently maladaptive. This review study highlights the potential mechanisms of CNS maladaptive plasticity related to CJP in SCD and proposes reliable instruments and methods for musculoskeletal assessment adapted to those patients. A review was carried out in the PubMed and SciELO databases, searching for information that could help in the understanding of the mechanisms of CNS maladaptive plasticity related to pain in SCD and that presented assessment instruments/methods that could be used in the clinical setting by healthcare professionals who manage chronic pain in SCD individuals. Some maladaptive CNS plasticity mechanisms seem important in CJP, including the impairment of pain endogenous control systems, central sensitization, motor cortex reorganization, motor control modification, and arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Understanding the link between maladaptive CNS plasticity and CJP mechanisms and its assessment through accurate instruments and methods may help healthcare professionals to increase the quality of treatment offered to SCD patients.
Proposed Asymmetric Microscopic Traffic Flow Theory

The paper presents a microscopic asymmetric traffic flow theory based on detailed analysis of individual vehicle trajectories from the Next-Generation Simulation (NGSIM) database. The findings clearly show the asymmetry in vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration and define five traffic phases: free flow, acceleration, deceleration, coasting, and stationary. The proposed theory provides detailed description and mechanism of phase transitions. Extensions of the basic theory address common driver behavioral characteristics such as maneuvering error and anticipation. The application of the proposed theory provides reasonable and intuitive explanations verified with experimental data on common traffic phenomena that cannot to date satisfactorily addressed by existing macroscopic or microscopic theories. These phenomena include traffic hysteresis, capacity drop, stability, relaxation after lane change, and stop-and-go traffic.
The Role of E-Education in Preserving Educational Outcomes During Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aims to examine the role of e-education in preserving educational outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic and to explore factors that were associated with these outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2020. A sample of Saudi Electronic University (SEU) students was asked to participate in this study. The study questionnaire is composed of seven main domains; demographics domain, attitudes towards e-education, others influence on e-education perception, contents of education and participation in the online discussion, challenges of e-education, effects of e-education, and finally a comparison between e-education and traditional education. One hundred and thirty eight students participated in this survey. The students reported that e-education is appropriate and they indicated positive views towards using e-education tools in their daily study. The majority of study participants reported low participation in an online discussion. In addition, the participants reported limited ability to overcome e-education challenges. The participants stated that e-education improves their overall performance. The majority of the students reported that e-education is superior to the traditional educational methods and half of the participants reported that they would recommend e-education to others. Based on study results, it is recommended to find motivation and monitoring tools to encourage the students to participate more in the online discussion, which could eventually enhance the achievement of students enrolled in the e-education. In addition, more support is needed to eliminate challenges associated with the Covid-19 pandemic and maintain students’ positive view towards the e-education process.
MONITORING AGENTS WITH OTHER AGENTS

The principal-agent literature typically assumes that principals are unable to observe the characteristics or the actions of the agents whom they monitor. The inability of the principal to observe characteristics or actions leads to complications in the design of incentive schemes. For surveys of this literature, see Hart and Holmstrom [1987] and Rees [1985 a], [1985 b]. However, in reality, it is often not the case that agents' characteristics or effort levels are really unobservable; rather, they simply may be very costly to observe. One may choose to model high-costs actions as being infeasible actions, but in doing so, one may miss some interesting phenomena. In particular, simply because information is costly to the principal doesn't mean that it is costly to everyone. It may happen that the agents themselves are in good positions to monitor or advise each other.