Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to detect and reduce movement artifacts in near-infrared imaging using moving standard deviation and spline interpolation

Near-infrared imaging (NIRI) is a neuroimaging technique which enables us to non-invasively measure hemodynamic changes in the human brain. Since the technique is very sensitive, the movement of a subject can cause movement artifacts (MAs), which affect the signal quality and results to a high degree. No general method is yet available to reduce these MAs effectively. The aim was to develop a new MA reduction method. A method based on moving standard deviation and spline interpolation was developed. It enables the semi-automatic detection and reduction of MAs in the data. It was validated using simulated and real NIRI signals. The results show that a significant reduction of MAs and an increase in signal quality are achieved. The effectiveness and usability of the method is demonstrated by the improved detection of evoked hemodynamic responses. The present method can not only be used in the postprocessing of NIRI signals but also for other kinds of data containing artifacts, for example ECG or EEG signals.
Approaches for improving image quality in magnetic induction tomography

Magnetic induction tomography (MIT) is a contactless and non-invasive method for imaging the passive electrical properties of objects. Measuring the weak signal produced by eddy currents within biological soft tissues can be challenging in the presence of noise and the large signals resulting from the direct excitation–detection coil coupling. To detect haemorrhagic stroke in the brain, for instance, high measurement accuracy is required to enable images with enough contrast to differentiate between normal and haemorrhaged brain tissues. The reconstructed images are often very sensitive to inevitable measurement noise from the environment, system instabilities and patient-related artefacts such as movement and sweating. We propose methods for mitigating signal noise and improving image reconstruction. We evaluated and compared the use of a range wavelet transforms for signal denoising. Adaptive regularization methods including L-curve, generalized cross validation (GCV) and noise estimation were also compared. We evaluated all these described methods with measurements of in vitro tissues resembling a peripheral haemorrhagic cerebral stroke created by placing a bio-membrane package filled with 10 ml blood in a swine brain of 100 ml. We show that wavelet packet denoising combined with adaptive regularization can improve the quality of reconstructed images.
A method to deal with installation errors of wearable accelerometers for human activity recognition

Human activity recognition (HAR) by using wearable accelerometers has gained significant interest in recent years in a range of healthcare areas, including inferring metabolic energy expenditure, predicting falls, measuring gait parameters and monitoring daily activities. The implementation of HAR relies heavily on the correctness of sensor fixation. The installation errors of wearable accelerometers may dramatically decrease the accuracy of HAR. In this paper, a method is proposed to improve the robustness of HAR to the installation errors of accelerometers. The method first calculates a transformation matrix by using Gram–Schmidt orthonormalization in order to eliminate the sensor's orientation error and then employs a low-pass filter with a cut-off frequency of 10 Hz to eliminate the main effect of the sensor's misplacement. The experimental results showed that the proposed method obtained a satisfactory performance for HAR. The average accuracy rate from ten subjects was 95.1% when there were no installation errors, and was 91.9% when installation errors were involved in wearable accelerometers.
1‐Factor and Cycle Covers of Cubic Graphs

Let G be a bridgeless cubic graph. Consider a list of k 1‐factors of G. Let Ei be the set of edges contained in precisely i members of the k 1‐factors. Let μk(G) be the smallest |E0| over all lists of k 1‐factors of G. Any list of three 1‐factors induces a core of a cubic graph. We use results on the structure of cores to prove sufficient conditions for Berge‐covers and for the existence of three 1‐factors with empty intersection. Furthermore, if μ3(G)≠0 , then 2μ3(G) is an upper bound for the girth of G. We also prove some new upper bounds for the length of shortest cycle covers of bridgeless cubic graphs. Cubic graphs with μ4(G)=0 have a 4‐cycle cover of length 43|E(G)| and a 5‐cycle double cover. These graphs also satisfy two conjectures of Zhang . We also give a negative answer to a problem stated in .
The low FODMAP diet in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: an evidence‐based review of FODMAP restriction, reintroduction and personalisation in clinical practice

Dietary restriction of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) is effective in the management of functional gastrointestinal symptoms that occur in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Numerous reviews have been published regarding the evidence for their restriction in the low FODMAP diet; however, few reviews discuss the implementation of the low FODMAP diet in practice. The aim of this review is to provide practical guidance on patient assessment and the implementation and monitoring of the low FODMAP diet. Broadly speaking, the low FODMAP diet consists of three stages: FODMAP restriction; FODMAP reintroduction; and FODMAP personalisation. These stages can be covered in at least two dietetic appointments. The first appointment focuses on confirmation of diagnosis, comprehensive symptom and dietary assessment, detailed description of FODMAPs and their association with symptom induction, followed by counselling regarding FODMAP restriction. Dietary counselling should be tailored to individual needs and appropriate resources provided. At the second appointment, symptoms and diet are re-assessed and, if restriction has successfully reduced IBS symptoms, education is provided on FODMAP reintroduction to identify foods triggering symptoms. Following this, the patient can follow FODMAP personalisation for which a less restrictive diet is consumed that excludes their personal FODMAP triggers and enables a more diverse dietary intake. This review provides evidence and practice guidance to assist in delivering high-quality clinical service in relation to the low FODMAP diet.
Ventilatory threshold during incremental running can be estimated using EMG shorts

The present study examined whether shorts with textile electromyographic (EMG) electrodes can be used to detect second ventilatory threshold (VT2) during incremental treadmill running. Thirteen recreationally active (REC) and eight endurance athletes were measured for EMG, heart rate, blood lactate and respiratory gases during VO2max test (3 min ramps, 1 km ⋅ h−1 increments). VT2, onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) and EMG threshold (EMGT) were determined. In athletes, OBLA occurred at 56 ± 6 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, VT2 occurred at 59 ± 6 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, and EMGT at 62 ± 6 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1 without significant differences between methods (analysis of variance: ANOVA). In REC participants, OBLA occurred at 40 ± 10 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, VT2 occurred at 43 ± 7 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1, and EMGT at 41 ± 9 mL ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ min−1 without significant differences between methods (ANOVA). For the entire group, correlation between EMGT and VT2 was 0.86 (P < 0.001) and 0.84 (P < 0.001) between EMGT and OBLA. Limits of agreement between EMGT and VT2 were narrower in athletes than in REC participants. Thus, it is concluded that estimation of VT2 using EMGT in athletes is more valid than in REC participants. In practice, experienced runners could use online feedback from EMG garments to monitor whether their running intensity is near VT2.
Teaching Status: The Impact on Emergency and Elective Surgical Care in the US

Objective(s): To examine the relation between hospital teaching status and surgical outcomes for both emergency and elective general surgery cases using a national database. Background: Teaching hospitals (TH) have been shown to have better outcomes for complex elective surgical cases when compared with nonteaching hospitals (NTH). Less is known about the effect of teaching status on outcomes for more common procedures, especially where emergency surgical cases are concerned. Worse outcomes seen in this cohort are often attributed to patient disease, but systems level variables such as TH status may also play a role. Methods: We performed a nationally representative retrospective cohort study of surgical admissions during 2000 to 2006 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Patients were included if they were more than 18 years of age and had a general surgical procedure performed on the day of admission. We examined unadjusted and adjusted in-hospital mortality (IHM) and postoperative complications (POC) for elective and emergency patients. Results: We identified 1,052,809 admissions. Patients treated at THs were more likely to be nonwhite and at extremes of income when compared with those treated at NTH. Adjusted outcomes revealed an increased risk of IHM at TH (overall OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.03–1.40, P = 0.017) for emergency admissions with no difference in IHM seen after elective procedures. Postoperative infections were more likely to occur at TH than NTH after elective procedures (OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.06–1.17, P < 0.007). Postoperative fistula was more likely to occur at TH than NTH after elective surgery (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.32–1.85, P < 0.005) whereas postoperative ileus was less likely to occur at TH than NTH (OR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.74–0.91, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Teaching status is associated with increased risk of IHM after emergency cases. POC profiles also differ by TH status. Investigation of the way in which systems-level variables that differ between TH and NTH contribute to postoperative outcomes may identify novel targets for performance improvement.
Detection of motion artifact patterns in photoplethysmographic signals based on time and period domain analysis

The presence of motion artifacts in photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals is one of the major obstacles in the extraction of reliable cardiovascular parameters in continuous monitoring applications. In the current paper we present an algorithm for motion artifact detection based on the analysis of the variations in the time and the period domain characteristics of the PPG signal. The extracted features are ranked using a normalized mutual information feature selection algorithm and the best features are used in a support vector machine classification model to distinguish between clean and corrupted sections of the PPG signal. The proposed method has been tested in healthy and cardiovascular diseased volunteers, considering 11 different motion artifact sources. The results achieved by the current algorithm (sensitivity—SE: 84.3%, specificity—SP: 91.5% and accuracy—ACC: 88.5%) show that the current methodology is able to identify both corrupted and clean PPG sections with high accuracy in both healthy (ACC: 87.5%) and cardiovascular diseases (ACC: 89.5%) context.
Recruiting opiate users to a randomized controlled trial in primary care: a descriptive study of GP attitudes

Historically, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in primary care and problems have been experienced applying this methodology in these settings. In 2001, The Leeds Evaluation of Efficacy of Detoxification Study (LEEDS) was developed. This RCT aimed to compare two detoxification drugs to inform best practice for the treatment of opiate users presenting to primary care requesting detoxification. This paper presents descriptive data from a postal survey of 12 general practitioners (GPs) from 10 primary care practices who were involved in the LEEDS trial. The questionnaire was sent out in November 2004, used open and closed questions and was self-administered. It uncovered factors that affected patient recruitment, GPs' views on the trial and their experience of randomizing opiate using patients. Flexible solutions to overcoming recruitment difficulties are presented alongside idealistic solutions to the problems experienced. The implications of our experiences of conducting this RCT in primary care practices are discussed in the light of conducting RCTs in primary care settings. This will benefit other research teams and clinicians who may be planning to use a similar research methodology.
Vaspin: a new adipokine correlating the levels of crevicular fluid and tear fluid in periodontitis and obesity.

AIM In the present study, we investigated the levels of vaspin in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and tear fluid in obese patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), and sought to find an association, if any. METHODS Forty patients (20 males and 20 females) with moderate-severe CP were selected based on their clinical parameters of gingival index, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference, and divided into four groups (n = 10/group): group 1 (healthy non-obese), group 2 (healthy obese), group 3 (non-obese with CP), and group 4 (obese with CP). GCF and tear fluid vaspin levels were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The mean vaspin concentration both in GCF and tear fluid was greater for group 4 (1.84 ± 0.03) and (1.98 ± 0.08), followed by groups 3 (1.35 ± 0.03 and 1.50 ± 0.06), 2 (0.95 ± 0.26 and 1.27 ± 0.51), and then 1 (0.65 ± 0.02 and 0.75 ± 0.02), respectively. Mean vaspin levels correlated with BMI, CAL, and PD. The association between GCF and tear fluid vaspin concentration was also statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Vaspin can be a novel biomarker connecting inflammatory marker for the systemic inflammatory response in obesity and CP.
Estimation of instantaneous venous blood saturation using the photoplethysmograph waveform

Non-invasive estimation of regional venous saturation (SxvO2) using a conventional pulse oximeter could provide a means of obtaining clinically relevant information. This study was carried out in order to investigate the hypothesis that SxvO2 could be estimated by utilising the modulations created by positive pressure ventilation in the photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals. The modulations caused by the mechanical ventilator were extracted from oesophageal PPG signals obtained from 12 patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The signals analysed in this work were acquired in a previous study. For the purpose of this analysis the raw PPG signal was considered to have three major components, ac PPG signal (cardiac related component), a static component or dc PPG signal (created mostly by the absorption of light by surrounding tissue) and the ventilator modulation component. These components were then used to estimate instantaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and SxvO2 by utilising time-frequency analysis technique of smoothed-pseudo Wigner–Ville distribution (SPWVD). The results showed that there was no significant difference in the traditionally-derived (time-domain) arterial saturation and the instantaneous arterial saturation. However, the instantaneous venous saturation was found to be significantly lower than the estimated time-domain and instantaneous arterial saturation (P = < 0.001, n = 12).
Remineralization of natural early caries lesions in vitro by P11‐4 monitored with photothermal radiometry and luminescence

AIM The efficacy of self-assembling peptide P11 -4 to regenerate enamel in natural early caries lesions was evaluated over 50 days by photothermal radiometry and luminescence using The Canary System (CS) and The Canary Lab (CL). METHODS Baseline readings for sound and carious sites on smooth surfaces of extracted teeth were obtained by scanning with CS and CL. Teeth were then randomly assigned to a treatment group (TG, treated with P11 -4), a placebo group (PG, same vehicle as treatment group without P11 -4), or a control group (CG, no treatment). All the teeth were then placed in artificial saliva to facilitate natural remineralization, and the sites were rescanned with CS and CL at 7, 14, 30, and 50 days. RESULTS For carious sites in TG, mean canary numbers (CN) derived from CS decreased significantly (P<.01) from 44±3.8 at baseline to 24±4.9 at day 50; the mean CN for the TG derived from CL also decreased significantly (P<.05), from 65 at baseline to 45 at day 50. In contrast, no significant changes in CN were observed for carious sites in the CG or PG using either CS or CL. CONCLUSIONS P11 -4 promoted the regeneration of early caries.
New directions in the treatment of child physical abuse and neglect in Australia: MST-CAN, a case study

Abstract Child abuse and neglect cases present significant complex challenges for service providers. The aim of this study is to present the first implementation of an ecological model of treatment for child abuse and neglect, Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN), in the Australian context. The case presentation features a single parent family with two children aged 7 and 8 referred to the Department of Child Safety due to child neglect. The intervention addressed the multiple mental health and practical needs within the children’s social ecology, as well as the precipitating and perpetuating factors for the case of neglect. Interventions targeted maternal depression, alcohol abuse, parenting, financial management, employment, housing, and family communication. Treatment goals of increased functioning across multiple life domains were met, including parent mental health needs, practical needs, and family reunification. MST-CAN provides a therapeutic framework to address the multiple needs of families with child abuse and neglect. Directions for further research and practice are discussed.
In vivo study of Fagonia Cretica Linn toxicity in Sudan

Purpose: The study targeted to determine the toxicological effects of ethanolic extracts of Fagonia cretica linn plant in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Shendi towns in Sudan during (January – February) 2013. Objectives: To determine the LD50 of the plant and to study the effects of the plant on the body weight, on vital organ weights, and anesthesia induction time effects. Methods: Different methods were adopted to achieve the objectives of this study, including Harborne methods for extraction. A total of (30), young adult Wistar rats, weighing (42.6 – 72.2) grams, fed standard rat food and water d libitum, were maintained at standard laboratory conditions. All rats were grouped into (3) groups, survived through the experiment by using the recommended progression doses of Fagonia cretica as (175, 550, 1750, 5000, 5000, & 5000) mg/kg/body weight screen shot of AOT425 statistical program of main test. Toxicological studies in vivo (LD50 determination) were done in all (3) groups of animals survive till the experiment was over after the administration of a selected high dose (5000) mg/kg/body weight. Ethical approval had been obtained from Omdurman Islamic University, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Department of Pharmacology under the number-(01/0/2013). Results: The LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg, indicates the high safety of the plant. The ethanolic extract of Fagonia cretica in doses of (100 & 300 mg/kg/body weight) has no effects on the rats relative vital organ weight (heart, liver, kidneys, lung and spleen) during the study period of (14) days compared to the control group whilst the dose of (600) mg/kg/body weight change the liver somewhat from the relevant control, although, has no effects on the rats body weight during the study period of (14) days compared to the control group monitored at day (0, 7, 14). The anesthesia induction time on rats, shows that the ethanolic extracts of the plant has neurological effect on rats. Conclusion: The toxicological determination of LD50 was found to be greater than (5000) mg/Kg, estimated by the special statistical software with three stopping criteria based on long term outcomes. This is indicating wide safety margin of Fagonia ethanolic extract which encourages its use by humans for the treatment of many diseases.
FIB synthesis of Bi2Se3 1D nanowires demonstrating the co-existence of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations and linear magnetoresistance

Since the discovery of topological insulators (TIs), there are considerable interests in demonstrating metallic surface states (SS), their shielded robust nature to the backscattering and study their properties at nanoscale dimensions by fabricating nanodevices. Here we address an important scientific issue related to TI whether one can clearly demonstrate the robustness of topological surface states (TSS) to the presence of disorder that does not break any fundamental symmetry. The simple straightforward method of FIB milling was used to synthesize nanowires of Bi2Se3 which we believe is an interesting route to test robustness of TSS and the obtained results are new compared to many of the earlier papers on quantum transport in TI demonstrating the robustness of metallic SS to gallium (Ga) doping. In the presence of perpendicular magnetic field, we have observed the co-existence of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations and linear magnetoresistance (LMR), which was systematically investigated for different channel lengths, indicating the Dirac dispersive surface states. The transport properties and estimated physical parameters shown here demonstrate the robustness of SS to the fabrication tools triggering flexibility to explore new exotic quantum phenomena at nanodevice level.
R(4, 5) = 25

The Ramsey number R(4, 5) is defined to be the least positive integer n such that every n-vertex graph contains either a clique of order 4 or an independent set of order 5. With the help of a long computation using novel techniques, we prove that R(4, 5) = 25. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Advanced glycation end products impair glucose‐induced insulin secretion from rat pancreatic β‐cells

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are derivative compounds generated from non‐enzymatic glycosylation and oxidation. In comparison with glucose‐derived AGEs (Glu‐AGEs), glyceraldehyde‐derived AGEs (Glycer‐AGEs) have stronger toxicity to living systems. In this study, we compared the effects of Glu‐AGE and Glycer‐AGE on insulin secretion.
Effects of edaravone, a radical scavenger, on hepatocyte transplantation

Hepatocyte transplantation (HTx) has yielded significant improvements in liver function and survival in experimentally induced acute liver failure and liver‐based metabolic disease. However, transplantation is inefficient, and it is thought that transplanted hepatocytes have a shortened lifespan because of inflammation involving excess nitric oxide (NO). The present study aimed to clarify whether edaravone, a free radical scavenger used to treat ischemic stroke, could reduce ischemic changes in hepatocyte‐transplanted livers.