Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in EMG Activities of Upper Arm Muscles and in Shoulder Joint Angles in Post-stroke Patients

The aim of the paper is to compare the electromyographic signals (EMGs) and the joint angles of the affected upper limb muscles of stroke survivors to those of their non-affected limb as well as to those of the dominant and the non-dominant limbs of healthy volunteers. Twenty five volunteers, ten post-stroke survivors and fifteen healthy subjects as control group, participated in the experiments. EMGs of muscles of the upper limbs and two angles in the shoulder joint were registered and processed during three static and two dynamic tasks. The results showed a big variability of all investigated parameters (mean and median frequencies, ranges of motions, maximal normalized EMGs) both for the patients and for the healthy subjects, for right and for left hand. This makes difficult a deduction of definitive conclusions about the changes in motor control of the upper limbs due to stroke. Moreover, natural differences in motor control exist for dominant and non-dominant limb. On the whole, the power-frequency analysis and the relevant statistical analysis indicated that the muscles of the affected limb had lower median frequencies than those of the healthy limb. Examination of full elbow flexions in the sagittal plane showed that the range of the motion in the shoulder joint of both limbs of the patients increased when compared to the healthy subjects and that this increase was larger for the affected limb. The post-stroke survivors used more of their muscle power although no increased co-contraction was observed.
Edge-Computing-Based Channel Allocation for Deadline-Driven IoT Networks

Multichannel communication is an important means to improve the reliability of low-power Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks. Typically, data transmissions in IoT networks are often required to be delivered before a given deadline, making deadline-driven channel allocation an essential task. The existing works on time-division multiple access often fail to establish channel schedules to meet the deadline requirement, as they often assume that transmissions can be successful within one transmission slot. Besides, the allocation and link estimation incur considerable overhead for the IoT nodes. In this article, we propose an edge-based channel allocation (ECA) for unreliable IoT networks. In ECA, we explicitly consider the impact of allocation sequences and employ a recurrent-neural-network-based channel estimation scheme. We utilize link quality and retransmission opportunities to maximize the packet delivery ratio before deadline. The allocation algorithms are executed on edge servers such that: 1) the channel allocation can be updated more frequently to deal with the wireless dynamics; 2) the allocation results can be obtained in real time; and 3) channel estimation can be more accurate. Extensive evaluation results show that ECA can significantly improve the reliability of deadline-driven IoT networks.
Fault Diagnosis in Industrial Processes by Maximizing Pairwise Kullback–Leibler Divergence

Fault diagnosis gains increasing attention for its ability to enhance process safety and efficiency. This brief proposes a maximized ratio divergence analysis (MRDA) approach for fault diagnosis, which maximizes the pairwise ratio Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence between each pair of classes during the dimensionality reduction step. In addition, an iterative algorithm based on deflation techniques is put forward for learning the loading vectors of MRDA. The proposed MRDA-based approach allows for improved power of fault diagnosis because of the following advantages over classical monitoring methods. First, MRDA maximizes the pairwise ratio divergence between each pair of classes, which directly leads to enhanced classification performance in the low-dimensional space. Moreover, MRDA is less likely to be dominated by “outlier” classes, since its objective is an average of ratio divergence, thereby facilitating the proposed method to be beneficial to the classification of imbalanced faulty classes. The effectiveness of the MRDA-based approach for fault diagnosis is verified by the Tennessee Eastman process (TEP).
An Interesting Case of Iatrogenic May-thurner like syndrome

Deep vein thrombosis secondary to compression of left common iliac vein by right common iliac artery known as “May-thurner syndrome” is a well known entity. However compression of vein by nearby other structures is also described. We hereby report Iatrogenic cause of May-thurner like syndrome caused by vertebral transpedicular screwing done for spondylolisthesis compressing on vein causing deep vein thrombosis which was successfully treated by catheter directed thrombolysis and decompression procedure.
Second Analysis of Mortality of Nuclear Industry Workers in Japan, 1986–1997

Abstract Iwasaki, T. , Murata, M. , Ohshima, S. , Miyake, T. , Kudo, S. , Inoue, Y. , Narita, M. , Yoshimura, T. , Akiba, S. , Tango, T. , Yoshimoto, Y. , Shimizu, Y. , Sobue, T. , Kusumi, S. , Yamagishi, C. and Matsudaira, H. Second Analysis of Mortality of Nuclear Industry Workers in Japan, 1986–1997. Radiat. Res. 159, 228–238 (2003). A cohort study of nuclear industry workers was initiated in 1990 to determine the possible health effects of low-level radiation. A total of 5,527 deaths were ascertained among 176,000 male workers who had been retrospectively and/or prospectively followed for an average of 7.9 years during the observation period 1986–1997. Statistical analyses were made mainly on the prospective follow-up outcome of 120,000 workers followed for an average of 4.5 years. The standardized mortality ratio (and its 95% confidence interval) was 0.94 (0.90, 0.97) for 2,934 cases of all causes combined and 0.86 (0.82, 0.91) for 1,305 cases of non-malignant diseases combined, which suggested a healthy worker effect. For 1,191 cases of all cancers combined, it was 0.98 (0.93, 1.04), indicating no difference in mortality from that of the general population. In tests for trend of death rate with increasing radiation dose, no significant correlation was found for all cancers combined. For site-specific cancers, most cancers including leukemia showed no positive correlation with dose, except for cancers of the esophagus, stomach and rectum and multiple myeloma. External causes showed a significant correlation with dose. A separate questionnaire study indicated that these positive findings could be ascribed in part to lifestyle characteristics of the workers. For leukemia only, we attempted to estimate the excess relative risk per unit dose of radiation, which, with reservations because of its wide confidence interval, was within the range of variation of the risks reported in other radiation epidemiological studies. This population must be studied for a longer time and with a consideration of the possible effects of confounding factors.
LTBK-08. TOCA 511 & TOCA FC VERSUS STANDARD OF CARE IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT HIGH GRADE GLIOMA

Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) is a cancer-selective, retroviral replicating vector encoding a codon optimized, heat stabilized cytosine deaminase that converts Toca FC (extended-release 5-fluorocytosine, 5-FC) into the anticancer agent 5-fluorouracil. Three Ph1 studies in patients with recurrent high grade glioma have demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and encouraging efficacy. Toca 5 is a multi-national, randomized, open-label Ph3 trial (NCT02414165) of Toca 511 & Toca FC versus standard of care (SOC) options that comprises Investigator’s choice of single agent chemotherapy (lomustine, temozolomide) or bevacizumab in patients who have undergone resection for first or second recurrence of glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma. 403 patients were randomized 1:1 to the Toca arm or the SOC arm and stratified by IDH1 status, KPS, and geographic region. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints were durable response rate, durable clinical benefit rate, duration of durable response, and 12-month survival rate. The study used group sequential design including 2 interim analyses and 1 final analysis, and the stratified log-rank test are used for the analysis. 271 events were observed for this analysis. Median follow-up was 22.8 months, and the Toca arm missed the primary endpoint (OS) compared to the SOC arm (11.1 months median compared to 12.2 months, HR=1.06, p=0.6154). All secondary endpoints showed no meaningful difference between the arms of the trial. The safety, tolerability and adverse event profile of Toca 511 and Toca FC was as expected for this patient population, with low incidences of Grade 3–4 adverse events. Pre-planned subgroup analyses showed compelling OS improvement in patients with secondary recurrence, and favorable trends in IDH1 mutant and AA population. Detailed data will be presented at the time of the conference.
Drug Therapy Scheduling by Nurses and Resulting Potential Drug Interactions in the Hospital Care Of Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: One of the nursing activities in the hospital is the scheduling that requires a nursing specific knowledge of pharmacology to avoid potential drug interactions (PDIs). Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the medication schedule established by nurses and to identify PDIs. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study developed in a specialized adolescent health unit at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sample consisted of 79 prescriptions based on a sample size calculated for a power of 0.8. Odds ratios were calculated, and a significance level of 5% was considered. The drug pairs that were scheduled at the same time were tested using the Micromedex software and analyzed using the statistical software R. Results: Among the prescriptions, those containing more than 5 drugs had two times the odds (OR: 2.5) of being associated with PDIs. Phenytoin was involved in 4 events. Suggested nursing care actions for PDIs include observing signs and symptoms, monitoring the therapeutic response and possible adverse reactions, and intervening according to the specific complications. Conclusion: It study highlighted aspects related to medication scheduling which is a routine nursing activity, and when it is done correctly can avoid PDIs and Drug Interactions promoting safety patient.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A clinical study

Background: DM is one of the most important healthcare concerns in the world since this disease can affect virtually every system in the human body. It is a noncommunicable disease with numerous cardiovascular, neurological, infectious complications. The association of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in diabetes mellitus patients is known since decades, yet there is no clear consensus among previous studies, with respect to the prevalence of SNHL in type 2 diabetes patients and the effect of duration and control of diabetes on hearing acuity. Hence the objectives of this study are to find the prevalence of SNHL in type 2 diabetes patients and to find the effect of duration and control of diabetes on hearing loss. The present study was conductedto identify whether patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of sensorineural hearing loss than the general population and examine whether control of diabetes is related to severity of hearing loss. Method: The present study was conducted on 100 patients with 50 patients having type 2 diabetes and 50 patients as controlattending Government Medical College, Jammu in the age group of 30-70 years. After detailed history taking and clinical examination, all subjects underwent FBS, PPBS estimation and HbA1c evaluation was done for diabetic patients. All underwent pure tone audiometry and the findings were recorded and analyzed. Results: Diabetes patients had insidious onset, gradually progressive, bilaterally symmetrical SNHL. SNHL is prevalent in 67.44% of type 2 diabetes patients compared to 23.26% of controls. It is aggravated with the increasing age and duration of diabetes. Poor control of diabetes showed increased prevalence of SNHL compared to good control of diabetes. Conclusions: There is increased prevalence of SNHL in type 2 diabetes patients and it is seen more in patients with poor diabetic control.
Evaluation of Total Protein Profiles Using 1-D and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis on Cotyledonary Node Explants Infected with Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

The establishment of an efficient protocol for successful in vitro genetic transformation in soybean depends upon an effective interaction between cotyledonary node explants developed from germinated seeds and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This study, therefore, evaluated the amenability of cotyledonary explants to Agrobacterium infection and co-cultivation, through total protein profiling using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results showed that, germination of seeds on MS medium supplemented with 4.0 mgL-1 BA produced stout seedlings used to prepare competent explants. Protein lysates derived from these explants contained a combination of high and low molecular weight proteins, in which predominant polypeptides ranged between 10 to 120 kDa. Thus, findings made showed varied protein profiles and intensity of protein spots detected on infected explants compared to the control, possibly as a result of explant co-cultivation with Agrobacterium.
Characteristics of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in peripheral blood of 123 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)

Background: To explore the cellular immunity and cytokines status of NCP patients and to predict the correlation between the cellular immunity levels, cytokines and the severity of patients. Methods: 123 NCP patients were divided into mild and severe groups. Peripheral blood was collected, lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were detected. Correlation analysis was performed on the lymphocyte subsets and cytokines, and the differences between the indexes of the two groups were analyzed. Results: 102 mild and 21 severe patients were included. Lymphocyte subsets were reduced in two groups. The proportion of CD8 + T reduction in the mild and severe group was 28.43% and 61.9%, respectively; The proportion of B cell reduction was 25.49% and 28.57%; The proportion of NK cell reduction was 34.31% and 47.62%; The detection value of IL-6 was 0 in 55.88% of the mild group, mild group has a significantly lower proportion of patients with IL-6 higher than normal than severe group; There was no significant linear correlation between the lymphocyte subsets and cytokines, while significant differences were noticed between the two groups in CD4 + T, CD8 + T, IL-6 and IL-10. Conclusions: Low levels of CD4+T and CD8+T are common in severe NCP. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were higher in severe patients. T cell subsets and cytokines can be used as one of the basis for predicting the transition from mild to severe. Large number of samples are still needed to confirm the "warning value" of CD4 + T, CD8 + T IL-6 and IL-10.
The Korean experience.

The Korean experience on the effect of the availability of contraceptives began in 1975. This paper describes the study design and field operations of the project. It also presents some preliminary results of the study i.e. the impact on fertility measures of the costs incurred and lessons learned thus far. Fertility did decline rapidly at the project site Cheju; the costs of the program were reasonable; and family planning use increased markedly. Other results of the experiment were less impressive. The Korean Population Policy and Program Evaluation Study (KPPPES) was an experiment designed through the use of a new family planning delivery system to remove many of the identified constraints and maximize the availability of contraceptives. Combined with the new delivery system were evaluation efforts--to evaluate the system by measuring changes in family planning use and fertility among the people served and by determining the cost-effectiveness of the system relative to the national program. To date only preliminary results are available since the post-survey was completed as recently as December 1980. The 1st phase of the KPPPES was a pretest of several methods of village based distribution for their feasibility and acceptability. Prior to the major project activity in Cheju province a pretest of 3 types of delivery system was carried out in Euiryong county in Kyeongsangnam province a reasonably typical rural area. The design for the project called for only modest modifications within the existing framework of the national government family planning program. The main feature of the new delivery method in the experimental area was the addition of a new layer of "canvassers" to the existing national delivery system following the pattern found effective and efficient in the pretest. The canvassers were in charge of contraceptive distribution in the villages in which they lived and they were placed under the supervision of township-level family planning field workers. The main purpose of the KPPPES was to remove barriers to availability. Experience with the field operations and the preliminary results of administrative and survey data seem to indicate several points: the introduction of the new delivery system appears to have increased acceptance and prevalence of contraception; the increased fertility changes in Cheju were significant but most marked in rural Cheju; the indicators of contact and exposure with family planning workers were disappointingly low in Cheju; in rural areas the community-based contraceptive distribution was apparently acceptable and effective; the opposite was the case in rural areas and an alternative method to increase availability such as social marketing should be considered.
Control of passivation and compensation in Mg-doped GaN by defect quasi Fermi level control

A defect quasi Fermi level (dQFL) control process based on above bandgap illumination was applied to control H and VN-complexes, which are the main contributors to the passivation and self-compensation, respectively, in Mg:GaN grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements confirmed that the total Mg incorporation was unaffected by the process. However, the total H concentration was reduced to similar levels obtained by post-growth thermal activation prior to any annealing treatment. Similarly, the 2.8 eV emission in the photoluminescence spectra, attributed to compensating VN and its complexes, was reduced for the dQFL-process samples. After thermal activation and Ni/Au contact deposition, Hall effect measurements revealed lower resistivities (increased mobilities and free hole concentrations) for dQFL-grown samples with Mg doping concentrations above and below 2 × 1019 cm−3. All these results demonstrate that the dQFL process can effectively reduce the H-passivation and self-compensation of the Mg:GaN films.A defect quasi Fermi level (dQFL) control process based on above bandgap illumination was applied to control H and VN-complexes, which are the main contributors to the passivation and self-compensation, respectively, in Mg:GaN grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements confirmed that the total Mg incorporation was unaffected by the process. However, the total H concentration was reduced to similar levels obtained by post-growth thermal activation prior to any annealing treatment. Similarly, the 2.8 eV emission in the photoluminescence spectra, attributed to compensating VN and its complexes, was reduced for the dQFL-process samples. After thermal activation and Ni/Au contact deposition, Hall effect measurements revealed lower resistivities (increased mobilities and free hole concentrations) for dQFL-grown samples with Mg doping concentrations above and below 2 × 1019 cm−3. All these results demonstrate that the dQFL process can effectively reduce the H-p.
Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Diabetic Complications among Physicians in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Background and aim of the work: The aim of this study is to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) towards diabetes and its complications among physicians in Taif. Subjects and Methods: this survey was done by interviewing the physicians to fill the questionnaire focusing on their awareness about screening, diagnosis, and preventive measures of diabetic complications. Results: A total of 101 physicians (72% females), 88% of them were practicing in urban areas and 78% of them practiced > 5 years. 90% of the physicians had postgraduate qualifications and 49% of them had special training on diabetes management. Eighty one percent follow guidelines for care for diabetes. In 72% of practioners diabetic patients constituted 18-50% of patients in their daily practice and in 28% of practioners diabetic patient were > 50% of daily practice. Over 80% of the participants were aware about the correct answers. Comparing the percentages of awareness among practioners in tertiary hospitals and primary health care centers it was significantly higher in the formers (P< 0.05). The question which had the highest percentages of correct answer was about the value of periodic examination of diabetic patient (correct in94%) The effect of lipid profile on diabetic complications was the least to be answered correctly. Conclusion: The study revealed a good to excellent awareness of Taif practioners about early detection, diagnosis and management of diabetic complications especially those practicing in tertiary hospitals, reflecting the values of continuous medical education programs applied in such hospitals.
A tale of two frequency effects: Toward a verification model of L2 word recognition

Abstract This study examined the activation of first language (L1) translations in second language (L2) word recognition in a lexical decision task. Test materials included English words that differed in the frequency of their Chinese translations or in their surface lexical frequency while other lexical properties were controlled. Chinese speakers of English as a second language of different proficiencies and native speakers of English were tested. Native speakers produced a reliable lexical frequency effect but no translation frequency effect. English as a second language speakers of lower English proficiency showed both a translation frequency effect and a lexical frequency effect, but those of higher English proficiency showed a lexical frequency effect only. The results were discussed in a verification model of L2 word recognition. According to the model, L2 word recognition entails a checking procedure in which activated L2 words are checked against their L1 translations. The two frequency effects are seen to have two different loci. The lexical frequency effect is associated with the initial activation of L2 lemmas, and the translation frequency effect arises in the verification process. Existing evidence for verification in L2 word recognition and new issues this model raises are discussed.
Evaluation of Trichomonas Vaginalis Isolates from Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients in Mouse Model

Trichomoniasis, a worldwide prevalent infection, is a perfect example of interplay between the infecting parasite and the host, on which the presentation of disease depends. To study the pathogenesis, animal model is required for establishment of infection. In this study, by using strains of Trichomonas vaginalis isolated from vaginal swabs and/or urine samples and maintained in axenic form from 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic female patients, the infections in BALB/c mice have been evaluated. Based on parasitic load, experimental peak infection in vagina of estradiol and L. acidophilus treated female BALB/c mice was observable on 5 th post infection day. This was significantly higher in mice infected with isolates from symptomatic patients in comparison to the other group. Gradual increase up to day 5 followed by decline in parasites, polymorphs and vaginal epithelial cells was observed in mice infected with isolates from symptomatic subjects in contrast to mice infected with asymptomatic patients’ isolates or control animals at all time intervals.