Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of multi-atlas cardiac segmentation from thoracic planning CT in a probabilistic framework

Toxicity to cardiac and coronary structures is an important late morbidity for patients undergoing left-sided breast radiotherapy. Many current studies have relied on estimates of cardiac doses assuming standardised anatomy, with a calculated increase in relative risk of 7.4% per Gy (mean heart dose). To provide individualised estimates for dose, delineation of various cardiac structures on patient images is required. Automatic multi-atlas based segmentation can provide a consistent, robust solution, however there are challenges to this method. We are aiming to develop and validate a cardiac atlas and segmentation framework, with a focus on the limitations and uncertainties in the process. We present a probabilistic approach to segmentation, which provides a simple method to incorporate inter-observer variation, as well as a useful tool for evaluating the accuracy and sources of error in segmentation. A dataset consisting of 20 planning computed tomography (CT) images of Australian breast cancer patients with delineations of 17 structures (including whole heart, four chambers, coronary arteries and valves) was manually contoured by three independent observers, following a protocol based on a published reference atlas, with verification by a cardiologist. To develop and validate the segmentation framework a leave-one-out cross-validation strategy was implemented. Performance of the automatic segmentations was evaluated relative to inter-observer variability in manually-derived contours; measures of volume and surface accuracy (Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean absolute surface distance (MASD), respectively) were used to compare automatic segmentation to the consensus segmentation from manual contours. For the whole heart, the resulting segmentation achieved a DSC of , with a MASD of mm. Quantitative results, together with the analysis of probabilistic labelling, indicate the feasibility of accurate and consistent segmentation of larger structures, whereas this is not the case for many smaller structures, where a major limitation in segmentation accuracy is the inter-observer variability in manual contouring.
Exploring the role of body mass index in relationship of serum nitric oxide and advanced glycation end products in apparently healthy subjects

This study aimed to identify any association of serum nitric oxide (NO) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with body mass index (BMI) in apparently healthy subjects. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 90 apparently healthy subjects, categorized into three BMI groups as follows: BMI≤19.5 (n = 21), 19.6≤BMI≤24.9 (n = 35), and BMI≥25 (n = 34). Serum levels of NO were measured by griess reaction method. Determination of serum pentosidine and carboxymethyllysine (CML) was done using ELISA. Median (95% confidence interval [CI]: lower- upper) of serum NO in subjects with BMI≥25 were 68.94 (CI: 55.01–70.56) μmol/L, which was higher compared with 19.6≤BMI≤24.9 and BMI≤19.5 groups (22.65 (CI: 19.29–28.17) μmol/L and 8.00 (CI: 9.12–29.58) μmol/L, respectively). Serum NO positively correlated with BMI in total subjects (r = 0.585, p<0.001), which this correlation was significant in both male and female groups (r = 0.735, p<0.001 and r = 0.476, p = 0.001, respectively). Serum pentosidine and CML were significantly lower in subjects with higher BMI. Further, BMI showed negative correlations with pentosidine and CML (r = -0.363, p<0.001 and r = -0.484, p<0.001, respectively). There were not any significant differences in serum NO, pentosidine, and CML levels between sex groups. After adjusting the effects of confounders (BMI, sex, age, and waist to hip ratio), serum NO significantly correlated with serum pentosidine and CML (r = -0.319, p = 0.003 and r = -0.433, p<0.001, respectively). It is concluded that higher BMI is accompanied by increased serum NO and suppressed pentosidine and CML.
Effect of Pranayama on Level of Dyspnoea among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Diseases

The study was conducted with an objective of assessing the level of dyspnoea among patients with COPD. Quasi Experimental Non-Randomised Control group design was adopted for the study. A sample of total 60 were included; 30 experiemental , 30 controls were collected using purposive sampling from Inpatient and Outpatient areas of Chest and T.B Department in Kannur Medical College, Hospital, Kannur. Intervention, Nadi Suddhi Pranayama was practiced twice daily for half an hour upto one month continuously. Post test were conducted after one month period and which revealed that post test dyspnoea score was lower than the pretest score by using Medical Research Council Dyspnoea scale(MRC Scale). The study results showed that calculated t value 13.43 is greater than table value (t29=2.045)at 0.05 level of significance. Therefore study concluded that Pranayama exercise reduces the level of dyspnoea among COPD patients.
Regeneration of the Periodontal Apparatus in Aggressive Periodontitis Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare, retrospectively, the outcome of two different periodontal regeneration procedures in patients suffering from aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with AgP, suffering from several intra-bony defects (IBD); that were treated by one of two periodontal regeneration techniques randomly assigned to each patient: a. guided tissue regeneration (GTR) or b. an application of extracted enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) combined with demineralized bone xenograft particles (DBX). Probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession were recorded. Pre-treatment and follow-up (up to 10 years from the surgery) recordings were analyzed statistically within and between groups. A significant reduction was shown at time on PPD and CAL values, however, not between subject groups. CAL values decreased in all sites. At the EMD group (44 sites), CAL gain was 1.92 mm (±1.68) from pre-treatment to follow-up (p < 0.001) and at the GTR group (12 sites) CAL gain of 2.27 (±1.82) mm. In conclusion, 1–10 years observations have shown that surgical treatment of AgP patients by either GTR or by application of EMD/DBX results in similar successful clinical results.
ESTIMATING THE RETURNS TO SCHOOLING

EC312 Microeconomics 3 Empirical Project ABSTRACT The aim of the project is to estimate the returns to schooling for a data set containing the earnings of 540 individuals, their years of schooling and a set of nine control variables. After motivating the initial model and preliminary data transformation the initial results of the first two-stage-least-squares (TSLS) regression are presented. Insignificant variables are then dropped sequentially with the use of a two-sided p-value of 5 percent. Then a second TSLS together with a Hausman and Weak Instrument (WI) Test are presented and the Shea partial R2 statistic is computed for the relevance of the instrumental variables (IVs). The final model excludes the IV siblings due to its irrelevance. The model is tested for heteroskedasticity and the TSLS estimates are compared to the equivalent OLS regressions. Returns to schooling are estimated at 18.30 percent in the final model. However, this estimate has to be treated with caution.
Antibiotic resistant phenotypes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh and fermented milk in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This work was aimed at determining the occurrence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh and fermented milk samples in parts of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 180 samples comprising of fresh raw milk, bulk milk, nono, and kindirmo were collected over a period of 6 months (May to October, 2017). Standard microbiological procedures were employed in the isolation, identification, characterisation, and determination of the antibiogram of S. aureus from the milk samples. Characterisation of the S. aureus isolates was by morphological, biochemical characteristics using conventional methods, Microgen® STAPH-ID kits. Confirmed isolates were tested for susceptibility or resistance to a panel of 11 commonly used antibiotics using the agar disc diffusion technique. Out of the 180 milk samples examined, 9 S. aureus were isolated giving a prevalence of 5.0%. The occurrence of S. aureus was higher in nono (12.1%) and kindirmo (10.6%) than in fresh raw milk (5.9%). The high occurrence of S. aureus in nono disproved the assertion that fermented foods are not good media for the survival and growth of S. aureus. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of the S. aureus isolates indicated all of the nine isolates were completely resistant to cefoxitin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. The isolates were moderately resistant to erythromycin (22.2%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (22.2%), and tetracycline (44.4%). Five antibiotic resistance patterns were recorded among the isolates. All of the isolates had a multiple antibiotics resistance (MAR) index of 0.3 and above, an indication of possible antibiotic misuse in the areas studied.
Translation and validation of the English version of the general medication adherence scale (GMAS) in patients with chronic illnesses

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to translate the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) into English language and validate it in patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Methods: A 1-month study (January 2018) was conducted in a random sample of patients suffering from chronic illnesses who visited the outpatient departments of four tertiary healthcare facilities in Karachi, Pakistan. Translation of the tool and its content, as well as face validity, was carried out. Factor structure was explored (i.e. exploratory and partial confirmatory factor analyses were carried out) and fit indices were calculated for model fitting. Test–re-test reliability and internal consistency were analyzed. Validity of GMAS-English was established by convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 23. The study was ethically approved by concerned authorities (Letter# NOV:15). Results: The GMAS was translated into English language by standard procedure. Factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model. Fit indices, namely normed fit index, Tucker Lewis index, comparative fit index, and root mean square of error approximation, were calculated with satisfactory results (i.e. NFI, TLI, and CFI > 0.9 and RMSEA < 0.08). Internal consistency (α) was 0.82. A high response rate of 91.6% was reported. GMAS-English established convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validities. The tool was sensitive (>75%) in screening patients with partial-to-low adherence based on their education level. Conclusion: The tool was translated in English language and demonstrated adequate internal consistency. The results indicate that GMAS-English is a valid and reliable tool to measure medication adherence in patients with chronic illness.
Chronic localized back pain due to entrapment of cutaneous branches of posterior rami of the thoracic nerves (POCNES): a case series on diagnosis and management

Introduction and aim Chronic back pain (CBP) may be caused by a variety of conditions including dysfunctional muscles, ligaments or intervertebral discs, improper movement of vertebral column joints, or nerve root compression. Recently, CBP was treated successfully in a patient having an entrapment of cutaneous branches of the posterior rami of the thoracic nerves, termed posterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (POCNES). Our aim is to describe clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and management of patients with such a neuropathic pain syndrome. Methods This study analyzed prospectively obtained data from consecutive patients suspected of having POCNES, presenting to two Dutch hospitals between January 2013 and September 2016. Patients received a diagnostic 2–5 mL 1% lidocaine injection just below the thoracolumbar fascia. Pain was scored using a numerical rating scale (0 = no pain to 10 = worst possible pain). A >50% pain reduction was defined as success. A neurectomy was proposed if pain reduction was temporary or insufficient after one to three injections. Long-term treatment effect was determined using a verbal rating scale (VRS; 1 = very satisfied, no pain, to 5 = pain worse). Results Fourteen patients (12 women, median age 26, age range 18–73) were diagnosed with POCNES. Eighty-one percent (n=11) reported a >50% pain drop after injection (NRS pain scores of median 8.0 [IQR 7.0–8.0] to median 3.0 [IQR 1.5–3.5], P<0.001). In one patient, repeated injections were successful long-term (VRS score of 2). Two patients declined surgery, whereas the remaining eleven underwent a neurectomy that was successful in seven (64%). A 57% long-term efficacy (median 29 months follow-up, range 5–48, VRS score 1–2) was attained in the entire study population. Conclusion POCNES should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic localized back pain. A treatment regimen including injections and neurectomy of the specific cutaneous branch results in long-term pain relief in more than half of these patients.
Is Inharmonicity Perceivable in the Acoustic Guitar

Plucked and struck string instrument sounds are known to exhibit inharmonicity due to stiffness of the strings. Especially in the low piano tones this is very prominent so that the higher partials have frequencies higher than integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. Järveläinen et al (2001) studied the perceivability of inharmonicity for generic string instrument sounds where each harmonic decays with the same rate. While being useful to roughly estimate the threshold where inharmonicity is just noticeable, the importance of this phenomenon in the acoustic guitar has remained unknown. In the present study we have explored this question by listening tests and careful manipulation of the inharmonicity of authentic guitar sounds. A high-resolution parametric modeling technique called FZ-ARMA was applied to estimate the partials of recorded sounds, and these partials were scaled in frequency so that inharmonicity was freely controllable. The results of the listening tests show that the inharmonicity is close to the JND threshold for the four lowest strings while for the two highest strings it is not perceivable. This result was obtained for generally experienced listeners, but it seems that for well trained experts the inharmonicity of low notes is more easily perceived. This implies also that for highest quality sound synthesis of the guitar the inharmonicity must be taken into account, while for an average listener it is questionable if it makes any difference.
One-year safety and efficacy of intravenous etelcalcetide in patients on hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Background Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT), a common complication of chronic kidney disease, is characterized by elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). Etelcalcetide is an intravenous calcimimetic that increases sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor to calcium and decreases PTH secretion. This open-label extension (OLE) trial evaluated the long-term effects of etelcalcetide for sHPT treatment in patients receiving hemodialysis. Methods This 52-week, multicenter, single-arm OLE enrolled patients from three parent trials: two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and one open-label, single-arm, ‘switch’ study from cinacalcet to etelcalcetide. The primary endpoint was to investigate the nature, frequency, severity and relation to treatment of all adverse events (AEs) reported throughout the trial. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with >30% reduction from baseline in PTH and the percentage change from baseline in PTH, albumin-corrected calcium (Ca), phosphate (P) and the calcium–phosphate product (Ca × P). ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01785875; Amgen study: 20120231. Results Overall, 89.8% of the patients experienced one or more treatment-emergent AE. The most common were decreased blood Ca (43.3%), diarrhea (10.8%), vomiting (10.4%) and nausea (9.6%); symptomatic hypocalcemia occurred in 3.7% of the patients. Approximately 68% of patients achieved >30% reduction in PTH, and ∼56% achieved PTH ≤300 pg/mL. Mean percent changes from baseline ranged from −25.4% to −26.1% for PTH, −8.3% to −9.1% for Ca, −3.6% to −4.1% for P and −12.0% to −12.6% for Ca × P. Conclusions Etelcalcetide effectively lowered PTH and its effect was sustained, while no new safety concerns emerged over a 1-year treatment period.
Health Insurance: Awareness, Utilization, and its Determinants among the Urban Poor in Delhi, India

This study reports the awareness, access, and utilization of health insurance by the urban poor in Delhi, India. The study included 2998 households from 85 urban clusters spread across Delhi. The data were collected through a pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was performed for determinants of health insurance possession. Only 19% knew about health insurance; 18% had health insurance (8% Employees State Insurance Scheme – ESIS – 8% Central Government Health Scheme – CGHS – 1.4%; Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) – 9.4% of the eligible households). In case of health needs, 95% of CGHS, 71% ESIS beneficiaries, and 9.5% of RSBY beneficiaries utilized the schemes for episodic and chronic illnesses. For hospitalization needs, 54% of RSBY, 86% of ESIS, 100% CGHS utilized respective services. Residential area, migration period, possession of ration card, household size, and occupation of the head of the household were significantly associated with possession of RSBY. RSBY played a limited role in meeting the healthcare needs of the people, thus may not be capable of contributing significantly in the efforts of achieving equity in healthcare for the poor. Relatively, ESIS and CGHS served the healthcare needs of the beneficiaries better. Expansion of ESIS to the informal workers may be considered. HIGHLIGHTS• Urban poor have limited awareness and access to health insurance. • The mandatory health insurance schemes better served the healthcare needs. • RSBY played a limited role in meeting the healthcare needs of the people. • The type of slum, migration duration, and ration card were associated with RSBY enrolment.
Hepatitis B Reactivation in Patients with Hematological and Solid Malignancies: A Retrospective Analysis of Single Center’s Experience

Background: Hepatitis B reactivation might occur in patients with hematological and solid organ malignancies due to immunosuppressive effect of chemotherapy. Methods: Fourteen patients were evaluated retrospectively from their files to discuss the clinical manifestations, management, and avoiding of Hepatitis B reactivation within patients who receive immunosuppressive treatment. Results: These 14 HbsAg positive patients were being followed up and treated via oncological immunosuppressive chemotherapy. The ages of the patients were between 25 and 72. Seven of the patients were male, and the average follow up period for the patients was between 10 and 74 months. TV 0, 5 mg was started for seven of the patients before the chemotherapy and TFV 245 mg to one of the patients. LAM 100 was started for three patients whose basal HBV DNA was low. It has been analyzed that HBV DNA was negative in further observations. In follow up controls, we noticed HBV reactivation at two patients, LAM was given one of them and TFV was given the other one. One patient was applied allogeneic transplantation whose basal liver tests were normal and Hbsag was negative. Hepatitis B reactivation was detected after the first week of therapy. Conclusions: We offer testing in all patients undergoing cancer therapy for hepatitis B, HBsAg, core antibody (anti-HBc total), and anti-HBs before to start cancer therapy. Patients with higher risk of HBV reactivation require antiviral prophylaxis.
Choosing Mutation and Crossover Ratios for Genetic Algorithms - A Review with a New Dynamic Approach

Genetic algorithm (GA) is an artificial intelligence search method that uses the process of evolution and natural selection theory and is under the umbrella of evolutionary computing algorithm. It is an efficient tool for solving optimization problems. Integration among (GA) parameters is vital for successful (GA) search. Such parameters include mutation and crossover rates in addition to population that are important issues in (GA). However, each operator of GA has a special and different influence. The impact of these factors is influenced by their probabilities; it is difficult to predefine specific ratios for each parameter, particularly, mutation and crossover operators. This paper reviews various methods for choosing mutation and crossover ratios in GAs. Next, we define new deterministic control approaches for crossover and mutation rates, namely Dynamic Decreasing of high mutation ratio/dynamic increasing of low crossover ratio (DHM/ILC), and Dynamic Increasing of Low Mutation/Dynamic Decreasing of High Crossover (ILM/DHC). The dynamic nature of the proposed methods allows the ratios of both crossover and mutation operators to be changed linearly during the search progress, where (DHM/ILC) starts with 100% ratio for mutations, and 0% for crossovers. Both mutation and crossover ratios start to decrease and increase, respectively. By the end of the search process, the ratios will be 0% for mutations and 100% for crossovers. (ILM/DHC) worked the same but the other way around. The proposed approach was compared with two parameters tuning methods (predefined), namely fifty-fifty crossover/mutation ratios, and the most common approach that uses static ratios such as (0.03) mutation rates and (0.9) crossover rates. The experiments were conducted on ten Traveling Salesman Problems (TSP). The experiments showed the effectiveness of the proposed (DHM/ILC) when dealing with small population size, while the proposed (ILM/DHC) was found to be more effective when using large population size. In fact, both proposed dynamic methods outperformed the predefined methods compared in most cases tested.
Easy, Quick, and Reproducible Sonochemical Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized in air by reducing copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate salt (CuSO4·5H2O) in the presence of sodium borohydride. The reaction was stabilized with Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in a basic medium and using ultrasound waves. Different molar ratios of CTAB:Cu2+ and NaBH4:Cu2+ were explored, to optimize the synthesis conditions, and to study the stability, size, and Zeta potential of the colloidal suspension. Optimum conditions to generate spherical, stable, and monodispersed nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameters of 36 ± 1.3 nm were obtained, using 16 mM CTAB and 2 M NaBH4 (molar ratios Cu2+:CTAB:NaBH4 of 1:6:10). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was implemented, and a monoclinic CuO crystal system was formed. This demonstrated a monoclinic crystal system corresponding to CuO. The diffraction peaks were identified and confirmed according to their selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns.