Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Implementation of a Telepediatric Primary-Level and Low-Cost System to Reduce Unnecessary Patient Transfers.

BACKGROUND Most inhabitants in Latin America are concentrated in large urban foci with different access to facilities. Although the main hospitals offer specialized services, economically vulnerable populations cannot easily afford these services, the pediatric population being most affected. This article presents the design and implementation of a low cost telepediatric system, applied to primary care hospitals through a study in Bogotá, Colombia, mainly aimed to reduce the number of unnecessary transfers commonly sent to specialized medical services. MATERIALS AND METHODS The system was carried out over 6 months with a higher incidence of acute respiratory illness in children between 0 and 5 years in nine primary care hospitals in Bogotá. Nineteen (n = 19) pediatricians were trained by a group of engineers that supports the system permanently. The reduction of patient transfers was compared with previous reports of the National Statistical Department in Colombia. RESULTS The system reduced both the number of patient transfers to higher level hospitals by 83% and the waiting times for patient transfer, improving healthcare in pediatric patients at a reasonable cost, affecting more than 700 patients. At the same time, a decrease of about 17% in the use of antibiotics was observed, which is an important current public health issue. CONCLUSIONS The use of telemedicine improves the efficiency of public health resources, even in big cities such as Bogotá, reducing the number of unnecessary patient transfers and the optimization and appropriate use of medicines.
Chemiluminescence Immunoassay for the Detection of Antibodies against the 2C and 3ABC Nonstructural Proteins Induced by Infecting Pigs with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus

ABSTRACT The potential diagnostic value of chemiluminescence immunoassays (CLIAs) has been accepted in recent years, although their use for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) diagnostics has not been reported. Full-length 3ABC and 2C proteins were expressed in bacteria and purified by affinity chromatography to develop a rapid and accurate approach to distinguish pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) from vaccinated pigs. The recombinant proteins were then used as antigens to develop two CLIAs for the detection of antibodies against nonstructural viral proteins. The diagnostic performance of the two assays was compared by analyzing serum from pigs (naive pigs, n = 63; vaccinated, uninfected pigs, n = 532; naive, infected pigs, n = 117) with a known infection status. The 3ABC-2C CLIA had a higher accuracy rate, with a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and a diagnostic specificity of 96.5%, than the 3ABC CLIA, which had a diagnostic sensitivity of 95.7% and a diagnostic specificity of 96.0%. The results of the 3ABC-2C CLIA also had a high rate of concordance with those of two commercial FMDV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits used to assess serum collected from 962 pigs in the field (96.2% and 97.8%, respectively). The 3ABC-2C CLIA detected infection in serum samples from infected pigs earlier than the commercial ELISA kits. In addition, the 3ABC-2C CLIA produced results within 15 min. On the basis of these findings, the 3ABC-2C CLIA could serve as the foundation for the development of penside FMD diagnostics and offers an alternative method to detect FMDV infections.
Fabrication of metallic patterns by microstencil lithography on polymer surfaces suitable as microelectrodes in integrated microfluidic systems

Microstencil lithography, i.e. local deposition of micrometer scale patterns through small shadow masks, is a promising method for metal micropattern definition on polymer substrates that cannot be structured using organic-solvent-based photoresist technology. We propose to apply microstencil lithography to fabricate microelectrodes on flat and 3D polymer substrates, such as PMMA or SU-8, which form parts of microfluidic systems with integrated microelectrodes. Microstencil lithography is accompanied by two main issues when considered for application as a low-cost, reproducible alternative to standard photolithography on polymer substrates. In this paper we assess in detail (i) the reduction of aperture size (clogging) after several metal evaporation steps and corresponding change of deposited pattern size and (ii) loss in the resolution (blurring) of the deposited microstructures when there is a several micrometers large gap between the stencil membrane and the substrate. The clogging of stencil apertures induced by titanium and copper evaporation was checked after each evaporation step, and it was determined that approximately 50% of the thickness of the evaporated metals was deposited on the side walls of the stencil apertures. The influence of a gap on the deposited structures was analyzed by using 18 µm thick SU-8 spacers placed between the microstencil and the substrate. The presence of an 18 µm gap made the deposited structures notably blurred. The blurring mechanism of deposited structures is discussed based on a simplified geometrical model. The results obtained in this paper allow assessing the feasibility of using stencil-based lithography for unconventional surface patterning, which shows the limits of the proposed method, but also provides a guideline on a possible implementation for combined polymer-electrode microsystems, where standard photoresist technology fails.
Internal noise estimates correlate with autistic traits

Previous neuroimaging research has reported increased internal (neural) noise in sensory systems of autistic individuals. However, it is unclear if this difference has behavioural or perceptual consequences, as previous attempts at measuring internal noise in ASD psychophysically have been indirect. Here, we use a “gold standard” psychophysical double‐pass paradigm to investigate the relationship between internal noise and autistic traits in the neurotypical population (n = 43). We measured internal noise in three tasks (contrast perception, facial expression intensity perception, and number summation) to estimate a global internal noise factor using principal components analysis. This global internal noise was positively correlated with autistic traits (rs = 0.32, P = 0.035). This suggests that increased internal noise is associated with the ASD phenotype even in subclinical populations. The finding is discussed in relation to the neural and genetic basis of internal noise in ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1384–1391. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acoustophoretic separation of infected erythrocytes from blood plasma in a microfluidic platform using biofunctionalized, matched‐impedance layers

Acoustophoresis is rapidly gaining prominence in the field of cell manipulation. In recent years, researchers have extensively used this method for separating different types of cells from the bulk fluid. In this paper, we propose a novel acoustophoresis‐based technique to capture infected or abnormal erythrocytes from blood plasma. A typical acoustic device consisting of a transducer assembly, microfluidic cavity, and a reflector is considered. Based on the concept of impedance matching, a pair of antibody‐coated polystyrene layers is placed in the nodal regions of an acoustic field within the cavity. This technique allows bi‐directional migration of the suspended cells to the biofunctionalized surfaces. Therefore, simultaneous capture of infected erythrocytes on both the layers is feasible. Finite element method is used to model the pressure field as well as the motion of erythrocytes under the influence of acoustic radiation, drag, and gravitational forces. A parametric analysis is done by varying the excitation frequency, driving voltage, and the thickness of the polystyrene layers. The resulting changes in the pressure amplitude and field pattern are investigated. The erythrocyte collection efficiency, rate of collection, and the cell distribution on the layer surfaces are also determined under different field conditions. The occurrence of transient cavitation in the blood plasma‐filled cavity at the chosen frequency is taken into account by using its threshold pressure value as the limiting factor of pressure amplitude. The study provides an insight into the phenomenon and serves as a guideline to fabricate low‐cost, multifunctional rapid diagnostic devices based on acoustophoretic separation.
DEM Modeling of the Effect of Hydraulic Hysteresis on the Shear Strength of Unsaturated Granular Soils

A micromechanical model for capturing the effect of hydraulic hysteresis on the behavior of unsaturated granular soils at low saturation (below 30%) is presented. The discrete element method is employed to model the solid particles. The capillary water is assumed to be in a pendular state and thus exist in the form of liquid bridges at the particle-to-particle contacts. The resulting interparticle adhesion is accounted for using the toroidal approximation of the bridge. Hydraulic hysteresis is accounted for based on the possible mechanism of the formation and breakage of the liquid bridges during wetting and drying phases. Shear test computational simulations were conducted at different water contents under relatively low net normal stresses. The results of these simulations suggest that capillary-induced attractive forces and hydraulic hysteresis play an important role on affecting the shear strength of the soil. These attractive forces produce a tensile stress that contributes to the apparent cohesion of the soil and increases its stiffness.
A Biophysical 3D Morphable Model of Face Appearance

Skin colour forms a curved manifold in RGB space. The variations in skin colour are largely caused by variations in concentration of the pigments melanin and hemoglobin. Hence, linear statistical models of appearance or skin albedo are insufficiently constrained (they can produce implausible skin tones) and lack compactness (they require additional dimensions to linearly approximate a curved manifold). In this paper, we propose to use a biophysical model of skin colouration in order to transform skin colour into a parameter space where linear statistical modelling can take place. Hence, we propose a hybrid of biophysical and statistical modelling. We present a two parameter spectral model of skin colouration, methods for fitting the model to data captured in a lightstage and then build our hybrid model on a sample of such registered data. We present face editing results and compare our model against a pure statistical model built directly on textures.
Laminar Flow Forced Convection Heat Transfer Behavior of Phase Change Material Fluid in Straight and Staggered Pin Microchannels

Laminar Flow Forced Convection Heat Transfer Behavior of Phase Change Material Fluid in Straight and Staggered Pin Microchannels. (August 2010) Satyanarayana Kondle, B.Tech., Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jorge Alvarado Microchannels have been studied extensively for electronic cooling applications ever since they were found to be effective in removing high heat flux from small areas. The rate of heat removed using microchannels depends on many factors including the geometry shape, solid and fluid materials used, and surface roughness, among others. Many configurations of microchannels have been studied with various materials and compared for their effectiveness in heat removal. However, there is little research done so far in using Phase Change Material (PCM) fluids and pin fins in microchannels to enhance the heat transfer. PCM fluids exhibit greater heat transfer when the phase change material undergoes liquid-to-solid transformation. Staggered pins in microchannels have also shown higher heat removal characteristics because of the continuous breaking and formation of the thermal and hydrodynamic boundary layer; they also exhibit higher pressure drop because pins act as flow obstructers. This paper presents numerical results of circular, square, straight rectangular microchannels with various aspect ratios (1:2, 1:4 and 1:8), and rectangular microchannels with two characteristic staggered pins (square and circular, fixed height with no variation in aspect ratio). The heat transfer performance of a single phase fluid iv and PCM fluid in all of these microchannels and the corresponding pressure drop characteristics are also presented. An effective specific heat capacity model was used to account for the phase change process of PCM fluid. Comparison of heat transfer characteristics of single phase fluid and PCM fluid are presented for all the geometries considered. Among the straight microchannels, 1:8 geometry was found to have the highest Nusselt number. The use of PCM fluid in straight microchannels increased the Nusselt number by 3-7% compared to the single phase fluids. Among the staggered pin microchannels, circular pins were found to be more effective in terms of heat transfer by exhibiting higher Nusselt number. Circular pin microchannels were also found to have lower pressure drop compared to the square pin microchannels. Overall, for all the geometries considered, it was found that the PCM fluid enhances the heat transfer compared to the SPF fluid.
Promoting Optimal Physical Exercise for Life (PROPEL): aerobic exercise and self-management early after stroke to increase daily physical activity—study protocol for a stepped-wedge randomised trial

Introduction Physical exercise after stroke is essential for improving recovery and general health, and reducing future stroke risk. However, people with stroke are not sufficiently active on return to the community after rehabilitation. We developed the Promoting Optimal Physical Exercise for Life (PROPEL) programme, which combines exercise with self-management strategies within rehabilitation to promote ongoing physical activity in the community after rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of PROPEL on long-term participation in exercise after discharge from stroke rehabilitation. We hypothesise that individuals who complete PROPEL will be more likely to meet recommended frequency, duration and intensity of exercise compared with individuals who do not complete the programme up to 6 months post discharge from stroke rehabilitation. Methods and analysis Individuals undergoing outpatient stroke rehabilitation at one of six hospitals will be recruited (target n=192 total). A stepped-wedge design will be employed; that is, the PROPEL intervention (group exercise plus self-management) will be ‘rolled out’ to each site at a random time within the study period. Prior to roll-out of the PROPEL intervention, sites will complete the control intervention (group aerobic exercise only). Participation in physical activity for 6 months post discharge will be measured via activity and heart rate monitors, and standardised physical activity questionnaire. Adherence to exercise guidelines will be evaluated by (1) number of ‘active minutes’ per week (from the activity monitor), (2) amount of time per week when heart rate is within a target range (ie, 55%–80% of age-predicted maximum) and (3) amount of time per week completing ‘moderate’ or ‘strenuous’ physical activities (from the questionnaire). We will compare the proportion of active and inactive individuals at 6 months post intervention using mixed-model logistic regression, with fixed effects of time and phase and random effect of cluster (site). Ethics and dissemination To date, research ethics approval has been received from five of the six sites, with conditional approval granted by the sixth site. Results will be disseminated directly to study participants at the end of the trial, and to other stake holders via publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number NCT02951338; Pre-results.
Significance of neurexin and neuroligin polymorphisms in regulating risk of Hirschsprung’s disease

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is regarded as a local, paracrine hormone to regulate vascular tone and cell proliferation. Although several in vivo studies have documented that CNP exerts the inhibitory effects on mesangial cells (MCs) proliferation and collagen production, a limited number of studies exist about the resistance of CNP to MCs proliferation in vitro. Besides, whether its receptor signaling and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) are involved remains unclear. In the present study, human MCs were incubated in serum-containing medium in the absence or presence of CNP (0, 10 and 100 pM) for 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. CNP administration significantly suppresses MCs proliferation and collagen-IV (Col-IV) expression in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. As a down-stream signal molecule of CNP activation, the expressions of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-B, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases II and NPR-C were obviously augmented, whereas NEP expression was significantly decreased after CNP treatment. In conclusion, receptor signaling and NEP are involved in the resistance of CNP to human mesangial proliferation and Col-IV expression.
Interventions for Women With Substance Abuse Issues: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE. The aim of this scoping review was to describe the characteristics and features of substance abuse interventions for women in North America and discuss the findings from an occupational perspective. METHOD. A scoping review was conducted to examine North American peer‐reviewed literature published between 2001 and 2014. Four databases were searched using terms related to intervention, substance abuse, and women only. Descriptive statistics of categorical groupings were used to describe the data sources and characteristics and features of the interventions. RESULTS. Forty‐two articles met the inclusion criteria, with the majority citing a harm‐reduction approach and using multifaceted interventions with various targets for change. CONCLUSION. Substance abuse interventions for women are typically multifaceted and follow a harm‐reduction philosophy. Further research into the efficacy of interventions that more specifically target occupation beyond substance use is needed.
Study on the thermal decomposition of NEPE propellant (I)Thermal decomposition of binder

Two simultaneous devices of the fast thermlysis reaction cell (gas reaction cell ) in situ in conjunction with rapid scan fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (RSFT IR), were the solid reaction cell in situ /RSFT IR are used to measure the gas products and condensed phase products of the thermal decomposition of the NEPE propellant binder in real time Under Linear temperature increase condition, the thermal decomposition characteristics of NEPE propellant binder was studied On the basis of the results obtained, the thermal decomposition mechanism was discussed
Effects of Carbohydrate and Glutamine Supplementation on Oral Mucosa Immunity after Strenuous Exercise at High Altitude: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial

This study analyzed the effects of carbohydrate and glutamine supplementation on salivary immunity after exercise at a simulated altitude of 4500 m. Fifteen volunteers performed exercise of 70% of VO2peak until exhaustion and were divided into three groups: hypoxia placebo, hypoxia 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min), and hypoxia after six days glutamine (20 g/day) and 8% maltodextrin (200 mL/20 min). All procedures were randomized and double-blind. Saliva was collected at rest (basal), before exercise (pre-exercise), immediately after exercise (post-exercise), and two hours after exercise. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures and Tukey post hoc test were performed. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. SaO2% reduced when comparing baseline vs. pre-exercise, post-exercise, and after recovery for all three groups. There was also a reduction of SaO2% in pre-exercise vs. post-exercise for the hypoxia group and an increase was observed in pre-exercise vs. recovery for both supplementation groups, and between post-exercise and for the three groups studied. There was an increase of salivary flow in post-exercise vs. recovery in Hypoxia + Carbohydrate group. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) decreased from baseline vs. post-exercise for Hypoxia + Glutamine group. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) increased from post-exercise vs. after recovery in Hypoxia + Carbohydrate group. Reduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was observed from baseline vs. post-exercise and after recovery for the Hypoxia + Carbohydrate group; a lower concentration was observed in pre-exercise vs. post-exercise and recovery. TNF-α had a reduction from baseline vs. post-exercise for both supplementation groups, and a lower secretion between baseline vs. recovery, and pre-exercise vs. post-exercise for Hypoxia + Carbohydrate group. Five hours of hypoxia and exercise did not change IgA. Carbohydrates, with greater efficiency than glutamine, induced anti-inflammatory responses.
Molecular Evidence of Chlamydia-Like Organisms in the Feces of Myotis daubentonii Bats

ABSTRACT Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs) are recently identified members of the Chlamydiales order. CLOs share intracellular lifestyles and biphasic developmental cycles, and they have been detected in environmental samples as well as in various hosts such as amoebae and arthropods. In this study, we screened bat feces for the presence of CLOs by molecular analysis. Using pan-Chlamydiales PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, Chlamydiales DNA was detected in 54% of the specimens. PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes were used to classify positive specimens and infer their phylogenetic relationships. Most sequences matched best with Rhabdochlamydia species or uncultured Chlamydia sequences identified in ticks. Another set of sequences matched best with sequences of the Chlamydia genus or uncultured Chlamydiales from snakes. To gain evidence of whether CLOs in bat feces are merely diet borne, we analyzed insects trapped from the same location where the bats foraged. Interestingly, the CLO sequences resembling Rhabdochlamydia spp. were detected in insect material as well, but the other set of CLO sequences was not, suggesting that this set might not originate from prey. Thus, bats represent another potential host for Chlamydiales and could harbor novel, previously unidentified members of this order. IMPORTANCE Several pathogenic viruses are known to colonize bats, and recent analyses indicate that bats are also reservoir hosts for bacterial genera. Chlamydia-like organisms (CLOs) have been detected in several animal species. CLOs have high 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Chlamydiaceae and exhibit similar intracellular lifestyles and biphasic developmental cycles. Our study describes the frequent occurrence of CLO DNA in bat feces, suggesting an expanding host species spectrum for the Chlamydiales. As bats can acquire various infectious agents through their diet, prey insects were also studied. We identified CLO sequences in bats that matched best with sequences in prey insects but also CLO sequences not detected in prey insects. This suggests that a portion of CLO DNA present in bat feces is not prey borne. Furthermore, some sequences from bat droppings not originating from their diet might well represent novel, previously unidentified members of the Chlamydiales order.