Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DYNAMIC ELASTIC MODUL AND R-WAVE VELOCITIES OF EPOXY MORTARS UNDER DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES

This paper studies the variation of the dynamic elastic moduli and R-wave velocities of epoxy mortars with different binder to sand ratios subjected to a wide range of temperature change. It is found that, unlike concrete, the dynamic elastic moduli and R-wave velocities of epoxy mortars all decrease with increasing temperature, and a clear “knee” at around 30°C divides the curves into two approximately linear parts. Therefore, to guarantee a correct interpretation of the in-situ SASW results, the temperature-dependent R-wave velocities of epoxy mortars must be fully understood beforehand.
CORRELATION OF SERUM CHOLINESTERASE AND SERUM CREATINE PHOSPHOKINASE ENZYMES WITH THE SEVERITY AND OUTCOME OF ACUTE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS POISONING: STUDY IN RURAL CENTRAL INDIA

Introduction: Poisoning with Organophosphorus compounds is an important global health problem, and is possibly the most common acute poisoning in the developing countries. Vidarbha in central India is home for approximately 3.4 million cotton farmers and 95% of these are struggling with the massive debt and so common mode of poisoning. This study was done to correlate the severity of acute organophosphorus poisoning with serum cholinesterase and serum creatine phosphokinase level, also to assess which one has better impact. Materials and Methods: A Prospective observational clinical study was done on 80 patients suspected of Organophosphorus poisoning of age >15 years admitted to emergency unit at a tertiary rural teaching healthcare centre of central India. Serum cholinesterase level and serum Creatine phosphokinase level was estimated at the time of admission in all patients and severity of Organophosphorus poisoning was assessed according to Peradenya Organophosphorous Poisoning (POP) Scale. Results: Among 80 enrolled patients 71.25% were male and 28.75% were females. The mean age of the patients were 33.52 (SD 11.62) with 43 (53.75%) in 15- 29 year group and 24 (30%) in 30-44 years groups. The severity of poisoning was directly correlated with serum cholinesterase level (p = 0.0001) and non significant with serum Creatine phosphokinase, (p =0.081). There was significant correlation between serum cholinesterase with outcome of the patients, p < 0.005, but there was no significant correlation between Creatine phosphokinase and outcome of the patients, p = 0.15. Conclusion: In our study severity as well as outcomes of op poisoning was
Autonomous Driving of Competition Robot-Localization and Environment Perception

With the objective of competing in the Autonomous Driving challenge of the Portuguese Robotics Open 2018, an autonomous mobile robot based on a remote-controlled car was entirely designed, implemented and tested, including its hardware and software. Given its broad scope, the full extent of the competition challenges is covered across two parallel theses. The present thesis focuses, on the hardware part, on the electronics of the robot and the localization and perception of the environment software modules. It proposes a different approach from traditional lane-following techniques. In the thesis approach, the robot is fully aware of its surroundings and about its absolute localization. Although the track is planar, i.e., without any surrounding walls, a novel algorithm is developed to generate virtual walls over the lines of the track enabling occupancy-grid based localization using Monte Carlo Localization. The same algorithm is capable of identifying the track and segment it from the present obstacles standing on it, allowing their detection. To conclude, the recognition of semaphores and traffic signs based on state-of-the-art approaches, namely, image processing and machine learning, are also developed.
Metabolic and Morphological Evaluation of Two Brewer’s Yeast Strains Throughout Serial Re-Pitching in Beer Fermentation

Beer fermentation is the process of growing yeast anaerobically in a malt-based medium, ultimately resulting in alcohol and carbon dioxide production. In order to reduce the cost and waiting time, serial repitching has been practiced among microbrewers. The technique emphasizes transferring yeast from one batch of beer to the subsequent brewing cycles. It has been shown that aged yeast cultures have higher fermentation efficiency and shorter lag period, thereby resulting in shorter fermentation times, faster pH drop, and lower concentrations of unwanted products. Despite the advantages of serial repitching, one can only practice repitching for approximately 5-6 times with a good starting culture due to the decrease in brewing efficiency. In this study, we sought to further investigate the metabolic activity and morphological change of two brewer’s yeast strains: London ale WLP013 and Czech Budejovice lager WLP802 throughout 8 batches of fermentation. At the end of each batch, samples were collected and subjected to YT plate and flow cytometry testing. Even though there was no significant difference in alcohol by volume throughout 8 batches, principle component analysis indicated that there were changes in metabolic potential after each batch of fermentation in the two brewer’s yeast strain. Maltose, maltotriose and sucrose were common substrates correlated to these changes between strains. Czech Budejovice lager WLP802 exhibited a decrease in flocculation after eight batches, while London ale WLP013 remains at the same level of flocculation throughout eight cycles of fermentation. The findings in this study suggest that YT plate can be used as a platform to identify when brewer’s yeast undergo a massive shift in metabolic potential.
Direct cortical thickness estimation using deep learning‐based anatomy segmentation and cortex parcellation

Accurate and reliable measures of cortical thickness from magnetic resonance imaging are an important biomarker to study neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. Diffeomorphic registration‐based cortical thickness (DiReCT) is a known technique to derive such measures from non‐surface‐based volumetric tissue maps. ANTs provides an open‐source method for estimating cortical thickness, derived by applying DiReCT to an atlas‐based segmentation. In this paper, we propose DL+DiReCT, a method using high‐quality deep learning‐based neuroanatomy segmentations followed by DiReCT, yielding accurate and reliable cortical thickness measures in a short time. We evaluate the methods on two independent datasets and compare the results against surface‐based measures from FreeSurfer. Good correlation of DL+DiReCT with FreeSurfer was observed (r = .887) for global mean cortical thickness compared to ANTs versus FreeSurfer (r = .608). Experiments suggest that both DiReCT‐based methods had higher sensitivity to changes in cortical thickness than Freesurfer. However, while ANTs showed low scan‐rescan robustness, DL+DiReCT showed similar robustness to Freesurfer. Effect‐sizes for group‐wise differences of healthy controls compared to individuals with dementia were highest with the deep learning‐based segmentation. DL+DiReCT is a promising combination of a deep learning‐based method with a traditional registration technique to detect subtle changes in cortical thickness.
Active Object Detection in Dynamic Scenes

This paper presents an object detection algorithm for video surveillance systems that can handle sudden illumination changes. The proposed system keeps multiple background models, each one representing a certain lightning condition. The system performs the identiﬁcation of the active lighting condition for each incoming frame. The system can also identify unknown lighting conditions and add them to the background model collection, as well as perform updates to the existing models. For this paper, a set of test videos, recorded at the Culturgest auditorium, were captured and studied using the RGB, HSV and L*a*b* colorspaces. The system was tested in terms of the active background model identiﬁcation and active region segmentation, for both constant and varying illumination. It was also made a comparison with a classical model, which concludes that the proposed system presents better performance, particularly in the case of sudden light changes
Induction of labor with oxytocin in pregnancy with low-risk heart disease: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with underlying heart disease who underwent induction of labor with those who had spontaneous labor. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 pregnant women with heart disease who were registered in cardio-obstetric clinic were recruited consecutively between 38-41 weeks’ gestation. Patients with favorable Bishop scores at 38 weeks were randomized into two groups. Induction of labor with oxytocin was performed in one group, and the second group underwent spontaneous onset of labor. Descriptive analysis in terms of mean, standard deviation, and percentage was performed. Unpaired t-test was applied for comparison of two groups using SPPS statistical software. Results: No significant difference in the rate of maternal complications was observed between the two groups. No cardiac complications were reported in pregnant females who underwent induction of labor. Fifty-two percent of patients delivered during workday hours when labor was induced, whereas only 24% of pregnant women delivered during working hours who underwent spontaneous delivery. No maternal or neonatal deaths were reported. Conclusion: Induction of labor with oxytocin is a relatively safe procedure in women with heart disease, it does not result in any cardiac complications. More patients delivered during daytime when electively induced, which minimized the maternal and fetal risks because obstetric, anesthesiologist, cardiologist, and perinatologist specialists are readily available during the daytime.
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CODE REVISIONS ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE REVISION INTERVAL

This study investigates the effectiveness of corporate governance code revisions on firm value using 35 countries’ public listed firms over 2007-2014. First, this study finds that progressive code revisions have significant positive relationship with firm value. Second, this study finds that the interval of corporate governance code revision is significant to influence the effectiveness of code revisions. Further analysis reveals that the relationship between code revision interval and firm value is non-linear, which is depicted in inverted U-shaped. The findings suggest that a moderate code revision interval, i.e. 4 years once is optimal to maximize firm value. In overall, the findings of this study have suggested several practical implications to the development of the national codes of corporate
Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Breast Reconstruction With Expanders and Implants

The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 230,000 American women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2011. Many of these individuals will require mastectomy and total reconstruction of the breast. The diagnosis and subsequent process can create significant confusion and distress for the affected persons and their families and, consequently, surgical treatment and reconstructive procedures are of utmost importance in the breast cancer care continuum. In 2011, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported an increase in the rate of breast reconstructions, citing nearly 100,000 procedures, of which the majority employed expanders/implants. The 3% increase in reconstructions over the course of just one year highlights the significance of maintaining patient safety and optimizing surgical outcomes.
Impossibility of proof that Extremely-low EMF have chronic effects on human health

Abstract – The evidence that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields are harmful to health and may cause cancer, results mainly from epidemiologic studies. However, the small number of subjects involved in these studies, together with the variability of the conditions of exposure to the electromagnetic field, supports the idea that the results observed are statistically insignificant. Only a much larger sample population would increase confidence in the results. However, the size required would be so big that it would become impossible to collect such sample. This work follows on from recommendations published in 2007 by the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization says there are doubts about the existence of chronic effects by the Extremely-low EMF, due to inconsistency and limitation of existing evidence. Therefore it is suggested that further studies must be conducted, with the priority to update the pooled analysis of the incidence of childhood leukaemia. In this study is conducted a careful review of epidemiological studies concerning the effects of exposure to Extremely-low EMF on the occurrence of childhood leukaemia, and a pooled analysis considering methodological limitations and studies biases. The results of this pooled analysis show that there is no significant statistical association between exposure and childhood leukaemia.
CMAR_A_237770 1039..1046

Simon M Rice 1,2 David Kealy 3 John S Ogrodniczuk Zac E Seidler Linda Denehy John L Oliffe 6,7 1Orygen, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 2Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 3Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 4School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 5Department of Allied Health, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; 6School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 7Department of Nursing, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia Background: Prostate cancer is a risk factor for major depressive disorder. Recent psychooncology research suggests a potential role for male-specific mood-related symptoms in this relationship. Gender socialisation experiences may reinforce men’s anger and emotion suppression responses in times of distress, and anger and emotion suppression may be implicated in pathways to, and maintenance of depression in prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Data were collected online from men with a self-reported diagnosis of prostate cancer (N=100; mean age 64.8 years). Respondents provided information regarding diagnosis and treatment, in addition to current experience of major depression and male-specific externalising symptoms. Results: Prostate cancer diagnosis in the last 12 months occurred for 35.4% of the sample. Elevated major depression symptoms were observed for 49% of respondents, with 14% endorsing past 2-week suicide ideation. Parallel mediation analysis (99% CIs) controlling for prostatectomy and active surveillance indicated men’s emotion suppression mediated the relationship between anger and depression symptoms (R=0.580). Trichotimised emotion suppression scores with control variables yielded a large multivariate effect (p<0.001, partial η=0.199). Univariate moderate-sized effects were observed for emotion suppression comparisons for symptoms of depressed mood and sleep disturbance, and a large effect observed for guilt-proneness. Conclusion: Findings highlight the salience of anger in the experience of depression symptoms for men with prostate cancer. The mediating role of emotion suppression, which in turn was strongly linked to men’s feelings of guilt, suggests potential assessment and intervention targets. Future work should examine the role of androgen deprivation therapy and other treatments including active surveillance on the relationship between anger and depression in men with prostate cancer. Consideration of interventions focused on emotion processing skills in psycho-oncology settings may help reduce men’s reliance on emotion suppression as a strategy for coping with feelings of anger or guilt in the context of prostate cancer.
EFFECT OF TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION THERAPY ON PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY LEVEL AMONG PATIENTS WITH ROTATOR CUFF DISEASE- A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the leading causes of musculoskeletal pain and disability with rotator cuff disease was a common condition. The study aimed to assess the effect of TENS therapy on pain and functional disability level with rotator cuff disease patients. Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled with 1:1 allocation, open-label, the trial is done at Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Out Patient Departments, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria total of 76 patients (42 males, 34 females) of rotator cuff disease were selected through total enumerative sampling, and block randomization with a block size of two is used to allocate treatments. The intervention was TENS therapy (high frequency (100Hz) with a pulse duration 120μsand low intensity (3040mA) for 20 minutes. ) for consecutive five days plus standard treatment for the experimental group and standard treatment (Shoulder ROM, twice a day) as followed at AIIMS, Rishikesh to control group and Followed after completion of the treatment session. (after five days). SPADI scale is used for pain and functional disability level measurement. Results: A total of 70 patients (38 males and 32 females) were analyzed. The experimental and control group were homogenous in terms of total SPADI, disability and pain score (p>0.05). Median post-intervention total SPADI, disability and pain scores of the intervention group were significantly less as compared to the control group (p=0.000). No sideeffects of treatment in any group. Conclusion: TENS therapy is an efficient therapy for patients experiencing rotator cuff disease Trial registrationCTRI/2018/09/015659
SleepData - Sleep Disorders Clinical Platform Insomnia Population Characterization

SleepData is a sleep disorders clinical platform that encompasses data from actigraphy, polysomnography, anam-nesis and lab exams. It was built over the modern software stack MEAN (MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js and Node.js) and the database structure follows HL7 FHIR’s structure, which is open source and includes standards for inter-platform communication. International medical ontologies (LOINC, SNOMED-CT and FHIR’s) were employed to code each variable. SleepData has interfaces to input data from the aforementioned sources, capability to upload raw ﬁles and data visualization tools. These include dashboards to visualize patient data and graphs/stats regarding subsets of the population. Using the aforementioned tools, Insomnia population characterization was done (N=100) - most patients are female (64.9%) and older than the general population. Regarding ﬁve of the cognitive complaints characteristic of Insomnia, 76% report having more than one and just 6% don’t experience any. Furthermore, 90% are comorbid, being anxiety and depression the most common (51% and 24%, respectively). The average total sleep time (TST), 6h, is lower than the recommended and 54.9% have a pessimistic opinion about it, being the average perceived TST 4h30min. Sleep onset is delayed, with 29.3% having latencies over 30 minutes and 60% having sub-par sleep eﬃciencies (under 85%). For the sleep questionnaires PSQI, ISI and Glasgow, average scores were calculated - 12.64, 18 and 15.77, respectively. SCL90 analysis revealed that somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression and anxiety are the most accentuated dimensions of the psychological problems.
A comparative study of open versus laparoscopic incisional hernia repair

Background: Incisional hernia occurs in 5-11% of patients subjected to abdominal operations. Laparoscopic hernia repair has revolutionized the treatment of incisional hernia by reducing the morbidity and improved post-operative outcomes. The objectives of this study were to compare open incisional hernia repair with laparoscopic incisional hernia repair in our patient population with respect to Operating time, post-operative complications, post-operative recovery, duration of analgesic administration, and cosmetic results. Methods: This is a prospective study of Forty patients who were admitted at Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India with a clinical diagnosis of incisional hernia, 20 patients in each group (open and laparoscopic). Results: Both the study groups were comparable in terms of patient characteristics. The duration of laparoscopic repair was significantly more when compared to open repair (mean time 133.75 mins versus 85.8 min respectively). Analgesic requirement, wound infection rate and complication rate were higher in open group. The laparoscopic patients tolerated oral feeds earlier compared to open patients. The duration of hospital stay was significantly longer for open group than for laparoscopic group (mean 9.6 days versus 6.4 days respectively). The cosmetic end result was better in laparoscopic patients. Conclusions: Though ours is a small study, with the benefits of laparoscopy it will be prudent to recommend laparoscopic repair as the first line of management for incisional hernia where the facilities and trained expertise were available. However, there is still a role for traditional open approach in patients who have a specific contraindication to laparoscopic repair or any additional procedures that are not amenable for laparoscopy.
Investigation of the mouse visual pathway via high-field functional MRI

The visual system is highly complex and distributed throughout the brain. Many methods, such as electrophysiological recordings and EEG, have provided immense insight into the visual pathway’s underpinnings; however, capturing the entire distributed pathway in rodents – and in particular in the versatile mouse models vis-à-vis transgenesis and optogenetics – would be represent a major step forward. Functional MRI (fMRI) can non-invasively investigate the underpinnings of the visual system, but most studies in mice to date relied on presentation of simple flickering stimuli. Moreover, current anaesthesia approaches aimed at avoiding animal motion are ineffective in some strains of mice and incompatible with long scanning times required for delivery of more complex stimuli. Here, we present the development of a visual stimulation system capable of delivering diversely shaped polychromatic stimuli through a 96x64 matrix in the scanner. We further developed a novel anaesthetic protocol based on subcutaneous infusion of etomidate – a sedative allowing much more stable anaesthesia while preserving Blood-Oxygenation-Level-Dependent (BOLD) contrasts – and tested it for the first time in rodent fMRI through three complementary experiments. Significant BOLD responses were recorded along the visual pathway following binocular stimulation. A clear dependence on the frequency and intensity of flashing lights was demonstrated. The suitability of this anaesthetics for future functional studies has been confirmed, and bench tests suggested that significantly smaller doses can be used in the future, thereby providing further experimental stability and flexibility. All these facilitate the study of complex visual stimuli with BOLD fMRI.