Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using DNA Hybridization Techniques to Diagnose Infectious Diseases

Recent advances in molecular biology have made it possible to manipulate DNA and have led to the development of a new technology, commonly referred to as "recombinant DNA technology. " One area of clinical medicine in which this new technology will have a profound impact is the way that infectious diseases are diagnosed. Historically, the diagnosis of an infectious disease was often dependent on identifying the intact offending organism under the microscope. The development of special stains, such as Gram's and Ziehl-Neelson stains, helped make such identification procedures more specific. Determining whether an organism is gram-positive or gram-negative, or whether or not it is acid fast is often helpful in narrowing the possibilities for the organisms in question. The development of methods to culture various microorganisms has made it possible to make even more specific identifications. Various biochemical properties and growth characteristics can be studied. However, there are important examples of infectious agents (that is, viruses and certain bacteria, such as Legionella and Mycoplasma) that are difficult to identify under the microscope or are difficult to culture. More recently, immunologic methods have been developed to identify certain of these infectious agents. Immunologic methods can be separated into two basic categories. The first involves detecting the host's response to an infectious agent. An example would be measuring an initial relatively high antibody titer or measuring a fourfold increase in antibody titers comparing acute and convalescent sera. The second category involves the detection of an antigen. Examples would be the detection of the hepatitis B surface antigen, and the use of a fluorescent-labeled antibodies to detect Legionella in a clinical specimen using a direct fluorescent assay. The newest method for diagnosing infectious disease is currently being developed. Recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to isolate and clone segments of DNA and to monitor hybridization between single strands of DNA. Using this newer technology, one does not have to rely on the ability to identify an intact organism. It is now possible to detect the presence of several infectious agents by detecting the presence of their respective DNA. These agents are identified by their characteristic molecular fingerprints. Because these techniques will provide powerful tools to the clinician in the near future, it is important that clinicians understand the basic principles involved. Even though the technology is new, many of the principles involved in using a labeled single strand of DNA to detect a complementary single strand of test DNA are similar to the principles involved in antigenantibody reactions, with which we are all more familiar.
Models for patients' recruitment in clinical trials and sensitivity analysis

Taking a decision on the feasibility and estimating the duration of patients' recruitment in a clinical trial are very important but very hard questions to answer, mainly because of the huge variability of the system. The more elaborated works on this topic are those of Anisimov and co‐authors, where they investigate modelling of the enrolment period by using Gamma–Poisson processes, which allows to develop statistical tools that can help the manager of the clinical trial to answer these questions and thus help him to plan the trial. The main idea is to consider an ongoing study at an intermediate time, denoted t1. Data collected on [0,t1] allow to calibrate the parameters of the model, which are then used to make predictions on what will happen after t1. This method allows us to estimate the probability of ending the trial on time and give possible corrective actions to the trial manager especially regarding how many centres have to be open to finish on time. In this paper, we investigate a Pareto–Poisson model, which we compare with the Gamma–Poisson one. We will discuss the accuracy of the estimation of the parameters and compare the models on a set of real case data. We make the comparison on various criteria : the expected recruitment duration, the quality of fitting to the data and its sensitivity to parameter errors. We discuss the influence of the centres opening dates on the estimation of the duration. This is a very important question to deal with in the setting of our data set. In fact, these dates are not known. For this discussion, we consider a uniformly distributed approach. Finally, we study the sensitivity of the expected duration of the trial with respect to the parameters of the model : we calculate to what extent an error on the estimation of the parameters generates an error in the prediction of the duration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model based active damping of drive train torsional oscillations for a full-scale wind turbine nacelle test rig

This paper presents the design and implementation of a state-feedback control structure for active damping of drive train torsional oscillations in a 10 MW ground test facility for complete wind turbine nacelles. It is the rotor inertia emulation requirement for hardware-in-the-loop testing of wind turbines that introduces a high dynamic performance demand of up to 20 Hz for the driving torque application. This bandwidth is well beyond the inherent torsional characteristics of the mechanical chain and therefore active vibration damping is necessary. Therefore, the drive train has been modelled and an estimation-based torque control strategy has been proposed, taking into account torsional behaviour of the drive train. The proposed framework takes advantage of a constrained model predictive controller (MPC), explicitly considering the actuator physical limitation, while the unmeasured state-variables are to be provided by a Kalman filter. For an evaluation of the proposed approach, simulation results are provided and analysed. Furthermore, experimental tests have been performed on a scaled test rig providing a realistic test platform. Overall, the results confirm the achievement of control objective and that the proposed structure is effective and executable.
Usefulness of the 6-minute walk test and the 200-metre fast walk test to individualize high intensity interval and continuous exercise training in coronary artery disease patients after acute coronary syndrome: a pilot controlled clinical study

Objective: To study the effects of three individualized exercise training prescriptions using either a percentage of maximal heart rate (HR), maximal 6-minute walk test (6MWT) HR, or maximal 200-metre fast walk test (200-mFWT) HR, on walking performance and exercise capacity in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Design: Controlled clinical study. Participants: Twenty-seven outpatients enrolled in a rehabilitation programme after an acute coronary syndrome. Setting: Cardiac rehabilitation unit. Interventions: Three groups: (A): moderate intensity continuous exercise (MICE) at 70% of the maximal HR of the graded maximal exercise test (n = 10); (B): MICE at the maximal 6MWT HR (n = 8); (C): high intensity interval training (HIIT) based on the 6MWT and the 200-mFWT maximal HR (n = 9). Group B and C performed walk tests every 2 weeks, to readjust training HR (THR) if needed. Measures: 6MWT and 200-mFWT performances, peak VO2 and peak power (Pmax). Results: 6MWT and 200-mFWT performances improved significantly and similarly in all groups (P < 0.05). Peak VO2 improved significantly in all groups (P < 0.05), this improvement being higher in group C (HIIT) versus A (P < 0.05). Group B was closer to the recommended THR during exercise sessions compared to group A. Conclusion: This pilot study showed that using the 6MWT and 200-mFWT HR to individualize MICE or HIIT prescription is feasible in CAD patients, and could lead them closer to THR objective, to similar improvements in walking performance, and greater peak VO2 increase for HIIT. Future randomised studies should investigate long-term effects of programmes prescribed from walk tests HR, especially for HIIT modality.
A disability prevention programme for community-dwelling frail older persons

This series of articles for rehabilitation in practice aims to cover a knowledge element of the rehabilitation medicine curriculum. Nevertheless they are intended to be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience. The competency addressed in this article is ‘The trainee consistent demonstrates a knowledge of how evidence based methods and strategies can be incorporated in an integral and multidisciplinary programme for community-dwelling frail elderly. ’ Abstract Objective: To describe and justify a primary care interdisciplinary programme for community-dwelling frail older people aimed to prevent disability. Background: Disability is a negative outcome of frailty among older persons. Policy reports and research studies emphasize the need for programmes to reduce disability progression. Between 2008 and 2010 we developed such a programme. Development: Following the Intervention Mapping protocol, a research team and a multidisciplinary professional developed the programme. Literature reviews and an expert meeting led to identification of basic elements, theory-based methods and practical tools. The programme: The general practitioner and the practice nurse comprise the core team that can be extended by other professionals such as occupational and physical therapist. The programme includes six steps: (1) screening, (2) assessment, (3) analysis and preliminary action plan, (4) agreement on an action plan, (5) execution of the action plan (toolbox parts) and (6) evaluation and follow-up. The main features are: identifying risks for developing disability and targeting risk factors using professional standards and the 5A Behavioural Change Model to support self management, and identifying problems in performing activities and enhancing meaningful activities based on the Model of Human Occupation. Screening, individual assessment, tailor-made and client-centred care, self-management support, case management and interdisciplinary cooperation are important principles in delivering the programme. Discussion: The disability-prevention programme seems promising for addressing the needs of frail older people for independent living and for targeting risk factors. Its feasibility and effects are currently being tested in a randomized controlled trial.
Effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment and targeted intervention on mobility in persons aged 75 years and over: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To assess the effect of a comprehensive geriatric assessment and individually tailored intervention on mobility in older people. In addition, the effectiveness of the geriatric intervention was evaluated among a subgroup of persons with musculoskeletal pain. Design: Three-year geriatric development project with randomized assignment to intervention and control group. Setting: Research centre, community and assisted living facilities. Participants: Seven hundred and eighty-one Finnish persons aged 75–98 years were assigned to an intervention (n = 404) or control (n = 377) group. Intervention: A comprehensive geriatric assessment with a multifactorial intervention lasting two years. The intervention included individualized referrals, recommendations, physical activity counselling and supervised resistance training. Measurements: Perceived limitation in walking 400m was gathered annually during the intervention and at the one-year post-intervention follow-up. Results: The proportion of persons with mobility limitation at the beginning, at the two-year intervention and at the one-year post-intervention follow-up was 16%, 15%, 12% and 14%, respectively, in the intervention group. In the control group, the corresponding proportions were 19%, 18%, 23% and 26%. The treatment effect was significant at the end of the two-year intervention (odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.96, P = 0.013), and at the one-year post-intervention follow-up (0.84, 0.75–0.94, P = 0.002). The parallel positive effect of the intervention on mobility was even greater among persons with musculoskeletal pain. Conclusion: The comprehensive geriatric assessment and individually tailored multifactorial intervention had a positive effect on mobility, underlining their importance in health promotion and disability prevention in older people.
Effects of a 6-Week Period of Polarized or Threshold Training on Performance and Fatigue in Elite Swimmers.

PURPOSE To quantify the impact of a polarized distribution of training intensity on performance and fatigue in elite swimmers. METHODS Twenty-two elite junior swimmers (12 males, age = 17 [3] y, and 10 females, age = 17 [3] y) participated in a crossover intervention study over 28 wk involving 2- × 6-wk training periods separated by 6 wk. Swimmers were randomly assigned to a training group for the first period: polarized (81% in zone 1, blood lactate concentration, [La]b ≤ 2 mmol·L-1; 4% in zone 2, 2 mmol·L-1 < [La]b ≤ 4 mmol·L-1; and 15% in zone 3, [La]b > 4 mmol·L-1) or threshold (65%/25%/10%). Before and after each period, they performed a 100-m maximal swimming test to determine performance, maximal [La]b, and oxygen consumption and an incremental swimming test to determine speed corresponding to [La]b = 4 mmol·L-1 (V4 mmol·L-1). Self-reported indices of well-being were collected with a daily questionnaire. RESULTS Polarized training elicited small to moderately greater improvement than threshold training on 100-m performance (within-group change ± 90% confidence interval: 0.97% ± 1.02% vs 0.09% ± 0.94%, respectively) with less fatigue and better quality of recovery. There was no substantial gender effect. No clear differences were observed in physiological adaptations between groups. CONCLUSIONS In elite junior swimmers, a 6-wk period of polarized training induced small improvements in 100-m time-trial performance and, in combination with less perceived fatigue, forms a viable option for coaches preparing such cohorts of swimmers for competition.
Development of computer-aided functions in clinical neurosurgery with PACS

The introduction of the "Picture Archiving and Communications System (known as PACS)," provides many benefits, including the application of C.A.D., (Computer Aided Diagnosis). Clinically, this allows for the measurement and design of an operation to be easily completed with the CRT monitors of PACS rather than with film, as has been customary in the past. Under the leadership of the Department of Neurosurgery, Akita University School of Medicine, and Southern Tohoku Research Institute for Neuroscience, Koriyama, new computer aided functions with EFPACS (Fuji Electric's PACS) have been developed for use in clinical neurosurgery. This image processing is composed of three parts as follows: (1) Automatic mapping of small lesions depicted on Magnetic Resonance (or MR) images on the brain atlas. (2) Superimposition of two angiographic films onto a single synthesized image. (3) Automatic mapping of the lesion's position (as shown on the. CT images) on the processing image referred to in the foregoing clause 2. The processing in the clause (1) provides a reference for anatomical estimation. The processing in the clause (2) is used for general analysis of the condition of a disease. The processing in the clause (3) is used to design the operation. This image processing is currently being used with good results.
Modelling the hierarchical structure in datasets with very small clusters: a simulation study to explore the effect of the proportion of clusters when the outcome is continuous

In cluster‐randomised trials, the problem of non‐independence within clusters is well known, and appropriate statistical analysis documented. Clusters typically seen in cluster trials are large in size and few in number, whereas datasets of preterm infants incorporate clusters of size two (twins), size three (triplets) and so on, with the majority of infants being in ‘clusters’ of size one. In such situations, it is unclear whether adjustment for clustering is needed or even possible. In this paper, we compared analyses allowing for clustering (linear mixed model) with analyses ignoring clustering (linear regression). Through simulations based on two real datasets, we explored estimation bias in predictors of a continuous outcome in different size datasets typical of preterm samples, with varying percentages of twins. Overall, the biases for estimated coefficients were similar for linear regression and mixed models, but the standard errors were consistently much less well estimated when using a linear model. Non‐convergence was rare but was observed in approximately 5% of mixed models for samples below 200 and percentage of twins 2% or less. We conclude that in datasets with small clusters, mixed models should be the method of choice irrespective of the percentage of twins. If the mixed model does not converge, a linear regression can be fitted, but standard error will be underestimated, and so type I error may be inflated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using lock-in infrared thermography for the visualization of the hand vascular tree

An imaging technique of the hand vein tree is presented in this paper. Using the natural human circulatory system and a controlled armband pressure around the arm, a lock-in thermography technique with an internal excitation is carried out. Since the stimulation frequency is inversely proportional to the inspection depth, the subcutaneous layer requires the use of a very slow frequency. Thus, a sawtooth waveform is preferred to minimize the duration of the pressure applied to the armband during the experiment. A frequency of approximately 0.03 Hz and a pressure range between 100 and 140 mmHg, according to the diastolic and systolic blood pressure, are used as stimulation. Then, dorsal hand amplitude and phase images are obtained with IR_view (Klein, 1999), a tool specifically designed to analyze infrared images. The hand vein structure is thermally mapped by an infrared camera operating in the middle wavelength infrared range (MWIR) at room temperature. Parasitic frequencies are avoided by keeping the hand fixed. The resulting images show a gradient of temperature between surrounding tissues and the back-of-hand veins. The vascular signature segmentation is extracted from the amplitude and phase images by using a Fast Fourier Transform image processing technique. This work could be used for vein localization for perfusion or for the early diagnosis of vein diseases such as primitive varicose and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A hand vein signature database for identification purposes is also possible.
Efficacy of strengthening or aerobic exercise on pain relief in people with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate the differences in the efficacies between strengthening and aerobic exercises for pain relief in people with knee osteoarthritis. Data sources: This search was applied to Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. All literature published from each source’s earliest date to March 2013 was included. Review methods: Trials comparing the effects of exercise intervention with those of either non-intervention or psycho-educational intervention were collected. Meta-analysis was performed for trials in which therapeutic exercise was carried out with more than three sessions per week up to eight weeks, for pain in people with knee osteoarthritis. All trials were categorised into three subgroups (non-weight-bearing strengthening exercise, weight-bearing strengthening exercise, and aerobic exercise). Subgroup analyses were also performed. Results: Data from eight studies were integrated. Overall effect of exercise was significant with a large effect size (standardised mean difference (SMD): −0.94; 95% confidence interval −1.31 to −0.57). Subgroup analyses showed a larger SMD for non-weight-bearing strengthening exercise (−1.42 [−2.09 to −0.75]) compared with weight-bearing strengthening exercise (−0.70 [−1.05 to −0.35]), and aerobic exercise (−0.45 [−0.77 to −0.13]). Conclusion: Muscle strengthening exercises with or without weight-bearing and aerobic exercises are effective for pain relief in people with knee osteoarthritis. In particular, for pain relief by short-term exercise intervention, the most effective exercise among the three types is non-weight–bearing strengthening exercise.
Measuring mobility in frail older people: reliability and validity of the Physical Mobility Scale

Objectives: The study was designed to show the validity and reliability of scoring the Physical Mobility Scale (PMS). PMS was developed by physiotherapists working in residential aged care to specifically show resident functional mobility and to provide information regarding each resident's need for supervision or assistance from one or two staff members and equipment during position changes, transfers, mobilising and personal care.
Discovering, comparing, and combining moderators of treatment on outcome after randomized clinical trials: a parametric approach

No one treatment is likely to affect all patients with a disorder in the same way. A treatment highly effective for some may be ineffective or even harmful for others. Statistically significant or not, the effect sizes of many treatments tend to be small. Consequently, emphasis in clinical research is gradually shifting (1) to increased focus on effect sizes and (2) to discovery and documentation of moderators of treatment effect on outcome in randomized clinical trials, that is, personalized medicine, in which individual differences between patients are explicitly acknowledged. How to test a null hypothesis of moderation of treatment outcome is reasonably well known. The focus here is on how, under parametric assumptions, to define the strength of moderation, that is, a moderator effect size, either for scientific purposes or for assessment of clinical significance, in order to compare moderators and choose among them and to develop a composite moderator, which might more strongly moderate the effect of a treatment on outcome than any single moderator that might ultimately provide guidance for clinicians as to whom to prescribe what treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ZONA — An adaptable NoC-based multiprocessor addressed to education on system-on-chip design

The design of multiprocessor system-on-chip (MP-SoC), especially NoC-based system-on-chip is a relatively new issue not yet adequately addressed in undergraduate curricula and textbooks. In this paper we propose a didactic architecture for a NoC-based multiprocessor system-on-chip using a Reconfigurable Instruction Set Processor (RISP) as homogeneous processing element. A simple assembly language was designed and an assembler tool was written aiming to make simpler the development of MP-SoC applications. All the components were designed in VHDL and prototyped using Altera DE2 board.