Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of recommended preventive measures against COVID-19 could help mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during dental practice: Results from a follow-up survey of French dentists

Background During the first-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, dentists were considered at high-risk of infection. In France, to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown was enforced, during which dentists suspended their routine clinical activities, working solely on dental emergencies. This measure has had an indisputable mitigating effect on the pandemic. To continue protecting dentists after suspension of nationwide lockdown, implementation of preventive measures was recommended, including adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and room aeration between patients. No study has explored whether implementation of such preventive measures since the end of the first-wave has had an impact on the contamination of dentists. Methods An online survey was conducted within a French dentist population between July and September 2020. To explore risk factors associated with COVID-19, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The results showed that COVID-19 prevalence among the 3497 respondents was 3.6%. Wearing surgical masks during non-aerosol generating procedures was a risk factor of COVID-19, whereas reducing the number of patients was a protective factor. Conclusions Considering the similar COVID-19 prevalence between dentists and the general population, such data suggest that dentists are not overexposed in their work environment when adequate preventive measures are applied. Impact Dentists should wear specific PPE (FFP2, FFP3 or (K)N95 masks) including during non-aerosol generating procedures and reduce the number of patients to allow proper implementation of disinfection and aeration procedures. Considering the similarities between COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections, such preventive measures may also be of interest to limit emerging variants spread as well as seasonal viral outbreaks.
Dual task walking in healthy aging: Effects of narrow and wide walking paths

Dual-task walking may lead to gait instability and a higher fall risk in older adults, particularly when walking in a busy city street. Challenging street features such as narrow sidewalks not only discourage walking, but are also likely to be taxing for older adults’ cognitive resources and gait characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the way older adults’ gait characteristics are affected by walking on a narrow path while performing a challenging cognitive task in lab conditions imitating common urban environments. Nineteen young and eighteen older adults walked on a narrow (40cm) and a wide (80cm) path and performed a cognitive (n-back) task individually adjusted to 80% accuracy. The two tasks were performed separately (Single-Task) and concurrently (Dual-Task). Both groups walked faster, and their step width was narrower on the narrow path. During dual-task walking on the narrow path, older adults showed significant dual-task costs in the cognitive task, gait speed, step width, and stride length. Dual-task walking was associated with decreased gait speed and stride length in both age groups, suggesting that dual-task walking may adversely affect gait, particularly when walking on narrow paths. These conditions may lead to gait instability and an increased fall risk for older adults, particularly when walking along the narrow sidewalks commonly found within the built environment. However, more research is needed in an urban setting to determine the extent of the fall risk narrow sidewalks present for older adults.
Awareness and preparedness of healthcare workers against the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey across 57 countries

Background Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there have been concerns related to the preparedness of healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to describe the level of awareness and preparedness of hospital HCWs at the time of the first wave. Methods This multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospital HCWs from February to May 2020. We used a hierarchical logistic regression multivariate analysis to adjust the influence of variables based on awareness and preparedness. We then used association rule mining to identify relationships between HCW confidence in handling suspected COVID-19 patients and prior COVID-19 case-management training. Results We surveyed 24,653 HCWs from 371 hospitals across 57 countries and received 17,302 responses from 70.2% HCWs overall. The median COVID-19 preparedness score was 11.0 (interquartile range [IQR] = 6.0–14.0) and the median awareness score was 29.6 (IQR = 26.6–32.6). HCWs at COVID-19 designated facilities with previous outbreak experience, or HCWs who were trained for dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, had significantly higher levels of preparedness and awareness (p<0.001). Association rule mining suggests that nurses and doctors who had a ’great-extent-of-confidence’ in handling suspected COVID-19 patients had participated in COVID-19 training courses. Male participants (mean difference = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.46; p<0.001) and nurses (mean difference = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.81; p<0.001) had higher preparedness scores compared to women participants and doctors. Interpretation There was an unsurprising high level of awareness and preparedness among HCWs who participated in COVID-19 training courses. However, disparity existed along the lines of gender and type of HCW. It is unknown whether the difference in COVID-19 preparedness that we detected early in the pandemic may have translated into disproportionate SARS-CoV-2 burden of disease by gender or HCW type.
Analysis of ECG data to detect Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation(termed as AF/Afib henceforth) is a discrete and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to clots near the heart. We can detect Afib by ECG signal by the absence of p and inconsistent intervals between R waves as shown in fig(1). Existing methods revolve around CNN that are used to detect afib but most of them work with 12 point lead ECG data where in our case the health gauge watch deals with single-point ECG data. Twelve-point lead ECG data is more accurate than a single point. Furthermore, the health gauge watch data is much noisier. Implementing a model to detect Afib for the watch is a test of how the CNN is changed/modified to work with real life data
Z-Copy Controlled-Gain Voltage Differencing Current Conveyor: Advanced Possibilities in Direct Electronic Control of First-Order Filter

A modified version of voltage differencing current conveyor (VDCC) and its performance in detail is presented in this paper. Modified VDCC, so-called z-copy controlled gain voltage differencing current conveyor (ZC-CG-VDCC), offers interesting features from adjustability point of view. The active element allows independent electronic control of three adjustable parameters: intrinsic resistance of current input terminal, transconductance and current gain of the output stage which is not possible in case of conventional VDCC. The characteristics of proposed CMOS implementation designed using TSMC LO EPI 0.18 m technology process parameters are shown and discussed. Simple application in reconfigurable reconnection-less first-order voltage-mode multifunctional filter is shown and verified by SPICE simulations and experimentally. The filter tuning and change of the transfer function type is allowed by the controllable parameters of the ZC-CG-VDCC. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 20.6. 7272
Correlations Between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and Injury

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at Digital Commons @ Winthrop University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Winthrop University. For more information, please contact bramed@winthrop.edu. Recommended Citation Perry, Jamie, "Correlations Between the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and Injury" (2015). Graduate Theses. 16. https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/graduatetheses/16 brought to you by CORE View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac. uk
Low-crosstalk 2 × 2 InGaAsP Photonic-wire Optical Switches using III-V CMOS Photonics Platform

Low-crosstalk electrically-driven 2 × 2 InGaAsP photonic-wire Mach-Zehnder interferometer optical switches are demonstrated on the III-V CMOS photonics platform. The low carrier-induced loss in InGaAsP enables crosstalk as low as -30 dB. The error-free switching of 12.5 Gb/s optical signals is also achieved with power penalty of less than 2 dB.
Robust Mobile Ad Hoc Space for Collaboration to Support Disaster Relief Efforts Involving Critical Physical Infrastructure

When an extreme event hits an urban area, the efficiency and effectiveness of the first response have a profound effect on disaster relief efforts. The redefinition of the civil engineers' role and responsibilities as first response team members, along with an enhanced collaboration between disaster relief organizations, will greatly improve first response efforts and the securing of affected infrastructures. To improve collaboration efforts, the currently used radio systems-based interaction medium needs to be modified due to the impossibility of storing, retrieving, and transferring digital information, and limited support to implement information dissemination policies. This paper presents a reliable, transparent, and portable mobile ad hoc space for collaboration (MASC) based on a short range wireless communication platform to address these limitations in order to provide more consistent and efficient collaboration among first responders. The system was designed around a robust data redundancy core, and tested through software simulations and by conducting a search and rescue exercise involving civil engineers and firefighters. The simulation results highlight that the number of machines, the replication level, the size of the replication unit, and the wireless communication range are key design elements of the system in providing high availability. The search and rescue exercise allowed this research to confirm the high availability simulation results and to demonstrate that MASC is able to adequately manage and disseminate information in disaster scenarios. These encouraging results allow this research effort to conclude that MASC is able to address these new challenges.
Tuberculosis incidence in country of origin is a key determinant of the risk of active tuberculosis in people living with HIV: Data from a 30‐year observational cohort study

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of active tuberculosis (TB) but this risk in the era of antiretroviral treatment (ART) remains unclear. It is critical to identify the groups who should be prioritised for latent TB (LTBI) screening. In this study we identified the risk factors associated with developing incident TB disease, by analysing a 30‐year observational cohort.
Turning AML targets inside out.

In this issue of Blood, Augsberger et al present preclinical data for a novel T-cell–bispecific antibody (TCB) that targets intracellular Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). By simultaneously targeting CD3 and WT1, the authors demonstrate that WT1-TCB results in T-cell activation and killing of both AML cell lines and primary tumors in a WT1 and HLA-A2 dependent fashion with minimal effect on normal CD34 hematopoietic cells.
Daratumumab Monotherapy for Heavily Pre-treated and Refractory Myeloma: Results from a UK Multicentre Real World Cohort

Daratumumab is the first anti-CD38 targeting monoclonal antibody approved as monotherapy in multiply relapsed myeloma patients who progressed following prior treatment with proteasome inhibitors (PIs) and immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs). We present real world data on the efficacy of single agent daratumumab in a cohort of 55 multiply relapsed patients treated in the UK. The median age was 72 years, the majority (96%) received ≥ 3 previous lines of treatment; 54.5% were PI-refractory, 76.4% were IMiD-refractory and 47.2% were double refractory; 20% of patients had high-risk (HR) disease. The overall response rate was 49%. After a median follow up of 9.2 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) for the total cohort was 5.1 months. Patients who achieved a partial response or better (≥PR) demonstrated a significantly longer PFS compared to those with <PR; 9.8 versus 2.7 months, p < 0.001. Double-refractory patients had an inferior PFS compared to single-refractory patients; 2.7 versus 7.4 months, p = 0.084. High-risk disease was associated with significantly shorter PFS compared to standard-risk (SR); 2.3 versus 6.7 months, p = 0.001. The median overall survival (OS) was 15.9 months. Despite a relatively short PFS seen in the double-refractory and high-risk patients; a favourable median overall survival of 12.9 months was achieved in these groups. Patients who achieved ≥PR, those with a previous objective response to PIs or IMiDs and those with SR disease, all benefited from a significantly longer OS which was not reached. A clear benefit in survival is encouraging in this setting of unmet clinical need and limited treatment options.
Use of genetic algorithms in linear and planar antenna array synthesis based on Schelkunoff method

Genetic algorithms coupled with the Schelkunoff synthesis method are used to synthesize equispaced linear and planar arrays. The purpose is to find the different excitation amplitudes and phases to achieve good matching between the desired and calculated radiation patterns. Examples which demonstrate the versatility of the approach presented in this article are considered for various patterns including the steered pattern case. The planar array is treated as a set of two separate linear arrays upon which Schelkunoff method is applied separately. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1619–1623, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22510
Clinical utility of therapy selection informed by predicted nonresponse to tumor necrosis factor-ɑ inhibitors: an analysis from the Study to Accelerate Information of Molecular Signatures (AIMS) in rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT Background The molecular signature response classifier (MSRC) is a blood-based precision medicine test that predicts nonresponders to tumor necrosis factor-ɑ inhibitors (TNFi) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so that patients with a molecular signature of non-response to TNFi can be directed to a treatment with an alternative mechanism of action. Research Design and Methods This study evaluated decision choice and treatment outcomes resulting from MSRC-informed treatment selection within a real-world cohort. Results Therapy selection by providers was informed by MSRC results for 73.5% (277/377) of patients. When MSRC results were not incorporated into decision-making, 62.0% (62/100) of providers reported deviating from test recommendations due to insurance-related restrictions. The 24-week ACR50 responses in patients prescribed a therapy in alignment with MSRC results were 39.6%. Patients with a molecular signature of non-response had significantly improved responses to non-TNFi therapies compared with TNFi therapies (ACR50 34.8% vs 10.3%, p-value = 0.05). This indicates that predicted non-responders to TNFi therapies are not nonresponders to other classes of RA targeted therapy. Significant changes were also observed for CDAI, ACR20, ACR70, and for responses at 12 weeks. Conclusions Adoption of the MSRC into patient care could fundamentally shift treatment paradigms in RA, resulting in substantial improvements in real-world treatment outcomes.
An Analysis of the Circumferentially Grooved Journal Bearing with Consideration of Lubricant Film Reformation

An analysis of a central, circumferentially grooved journal bearing has been undertaken. As well as considering the rupture of the lubricant, detailed attention has been paid to film reformation. A computer program has been developed which automatically locates the cavitation region without manual intervention and the numerical analysis technique developed to do this is fully described. Results for the steady state and dynamic performance characteristics of the bearing are presented and predictions compared with other published work where possible. The effect of not considering the reformation of the lubricant film is examined and it is concluded that satisfactory predictions of performance can be obtained for all parameters except the axial flowrate.
Neuropathologic Correlates of Human Cortical Proteins in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias

Background and Objectives Alzheimer dementia is a complex clinical syndrome that can be defined broadly as an amnestic multidomain dementia. We previously reported human cortical proteins that are implicated in Alzheimer dementia. To understand the pathologic correlates of these proteins for underlying disease mechanisms, we investigated cortical protein associations with common age-related neuropathologies. Methods Participants were community-dwelling older adults from 2 cohort studies of aging and dementia. All underwent detailed annual clinical evaluations, and brain autopsies were performed after death. We use Alzheimer disease (AD) to refer to pathologically defined disease and Alzheimer dementia to refer to the clinical syndrome. Indices for AD, cortical Lewy bodies, limbic predominant age-related TAR DNA binding protein 43 encephalopathy neuropathologic changes (LATE-NC), hippocampal sclerosis, macroscopic infarcts, microinfarcts, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, atherosclerosis, and arteriolosclerosis were quantified during uniform structured neuropathologic evaluations. High-throughput protein abundances from frozen dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were quantified with mass spectrometry–based tandem mass tag proteomics analysis. Eleven human cortical proteins implicated in Alzheimer dementia, including angiotensin-converting enzyme, calcium-regulated heat-stable protein 1 (CHSP1), procathepsin H (CATH), double C2-like domain-containing protein α, islet cell autoantigen 1–like protein, serine β-lactamase–like protein LACTB, mitochondrial, pleckstrin homology domain–containing family A member 1, replication termination factor 2, sorting nexin-32, syntaxin-4, and syntaxin-6 (STX6), were previously identified with an integrative approach. Logistic regression analysis examined the association of protein expression with each of the neuropathologic indices. Results A total of 391 older adults were included. We did not observe associations of these protein targets with pathologic diagnosis of AD. In contrast, multiple proteins were associated with non-AD neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular conditions. In particular, higher CHSP1 expression was associated with cortical Lewy bodies and macroscopic infarcts, and higher CATH expression was associated with LATE-NC and arteriolosclerosis. Furthermore, while higher STX6 expression increased the risk of Alzheimer dementia, the protein was not associated with any of the neuropathologic indices investigated. Discussion Cortical proteins implicated in Alzheimer dementia do not necessarily work through AD pathogenesis; rather, non-AD neurodegenerative and vascular diseases and other pathways are at play. Furthermore, some proteins are pleiotrophic and associated with both neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular pathologies.
Site-Specific Sprinkler Irrigation in a Water-Limited Future

Available water supplies for irrigation are becoming more and more limited in the western U.S. and other locations around the world, and this downward trend is accelerating. These issues will force major changes to physical and managerial aspects as well as the design of water delivery and on-farm irrigation systems. Thus, a water- and energy-limited future will be the likely catalyst that finally brings many of the existing precision agricultural technologies together for irrigated agriculture. Resource conservation as well as achieving environmental benefits will probably require the adoption of non-uniform water applications, also known as site-specific irrigation, for many growers. The goal of site-specific irrigation is to conserve water by directing the amount and frequency of water applications according to established spatial and temporal crop water requirements. However, more than 20 years of private and public research on site-specific irrigation has resulted in very limited commercial adoption of the technology. The current state of the art of site-specific center-pivot and linear-move sprinkler irrigation is reviewed. Several general barriers to adoption of the technology and various knowledge gaps are identified. The primary reason for the very low rate of commercial adoption appears to be the absence of a market for the technology and a low rate of return. Documented and proven water conservation strategies using site-specific sprinkler irrigation for crop production are quite limited, and its cost-effectiveness has not been demonstrated. Simulation studies comparing conventional and site-specific irrigation have reported water savings of 0% to 26% for well-watered crop production, and the greatest savings are most likely to occur in humid climates by spatially maximizing utilization of non-uniform growing season precipitation. In arid and semi-arid climates, the greatest potential water savings could come from highly managed deficit irrigation strategies in which spatial management of soil water deficit timing is used to maximize net return rather than yield. Future research needs to focus on developing and documenting cost-effective site-specific water conservation strategies to support market development for these advanced and needed irrigation technologies.
Hospital-Based Modified Cogmed Working Memory Training for Youth With ADHD

Objective: This study evaluated a modified working memory training program, Cogmed, for ADHD youth. Method: Forty youth were randomized to modified Cogmed training (MCT) or treatment as usual (CON). MCT was delivered in an outpatient mental health clinic in 3 weekly 35-minute sessions with a dedicated coach for 10 weeks. Participants completed assessments at baseline, after the intervention, and again 3 months later. Results: After controlling for baseline, groups were comparable on working memory, academics, and ADHD symptoms. The MCT group was rated by parents and teachers as having fewer executive function challenges and youth endorsed better self-concept compared with the CON group. Conclusions: MCT was associated with some improvement, which could not be attributed to increased working memory capacity and may reflect other facets of the program. Results question the usefulness of Cogmed but highlight considerations for optimizing adherence, engagement, and the therapeutic alliance in interventions for ADHD youth.