Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of using electrical stimulation to improve clinical outcomes after hip fractures

ABSTRACT Background Pain and muscles weakness often delays regaining independent mobility following hip fracture surgery. Electrical stimulation may relieve pain and improve muscle strength and function. Purpose To systematically review and evaluate available literature examining the effectiveness of using electrical stimulation to promote clinical outcomes after hip fractures. Methods Two researchers independently searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Reviews, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, and PsycInfo from inception to July 1, 2018, with no restrictions. The quality and fidelity of the included interventions were assessed, and expert consultation was conducted to help explain the results. Results We identified 432 records through database searching. Initial screening indicated 24 articles were appropriate for full-text review, and four articles met the inclusion criteria. In included studies, electrical stimulation (i.e. TENS) reduced pain (mean difference (MD) = 3.3 points on 10-point Visual Analogue Scale, p < . 001), improved range of motion (ROM) (MD: 25.7°, p < .001), and accelerated functional recovery immediately after hip fracture (p < .001). Conflicting evidence existed when using neuromuscular electrical stimulation to improve muscle strength and other functional outcomes (e.g. mobility); however, nine experts advised that longer-term interventions might be necessary to achieve significant improvment in muscle strength. Conclusion Available evidence, albeit limited, supports the early application of noninvasive electrical stimulation (e.g. TENS) for improving clinical outcomes (i.e. reducing pain, improving ROM, and accelerating functional recovery after hip fractures). We could not find conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of using electrical stimulation to improve muscle strength. This review establishes the need for future additional high-quality trials in this field.
Validity and reliability of the Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire: A cross-sectional study

Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a widely accepted scientific advancement in clinical settings that helps achieve better, safer, and more cost-effective healthcare. However, presently, validated instruments to evaluate healthcare professionals’ attitude and practices toward implementing EBM are not widely available. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a newly developed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questionnaire on EBM for use among healthcare professionals. Methods The Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire was tested among physicians in a government hospital between July and August 2018. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency reliability-based Cronbach’s alpha statistic were conducted. Results The questionnaire was distributed among 94 physicians, and 90 responded (response rate of 95.7%). The initial number of items in the KAP domains of the Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire were 15, 17, and 13, respectively; however, two items in the practice domain with communalities <0.25 and factor loadings <0.4 were removed. The factor structure accounted for 52.33%, 66.29%, and 55.39% of data variance in the KAP domains, respectively. Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.81, 0.81, and 0.84 for KAP domains, respectively, indicating high reliability. Conclusions This questionnaire can be used to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of healthcare professionals toward EBM. Future testing of this questionnaire among other medical personnel groups will help expand the scope of this tool.
Identification of potential metabolic biomarkers of rectal cancer and of the effect of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy

We report a pilot study on the feasibility of determinations of circulating levels of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and compounds related to energy metabolism as biomarkers for the evaluation of patients with rectal cancer (RC), and the effects produced by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NRCT). We studied 32 patients treated with radiotherapy plus capecitabine concomitant chemotherapy and 48 control subjects. We identified pre-NRCT PON1 and α-ketoglutarate as the parameters that best discriminated between RC patients and the control group. Receiver operating characteristics analysis of the combination of the two parameters showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.918. Moreover, patients who presented a pathological complete response (pCR) to treatment had lower plasma pre-NRCT valine concentrations (AUC of 0.826). Patients who had a relapse had lower concentrations of succinate (AUC of 0.833). The results of the present study illustrate the usefulness of investigating alterations in oxidative stress and metabolism in RC. Due to the small number of patients studied, our results must be considered preliminary, but they suggest that the determination of circulating levels of PON1 and α-ketoglutarate might be a valuable tool for the early diagnosis of RC, while the determination of valine and succinate might effectively predict pCR and the appearance of relapse.
Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein as a potential biomarker of breast cancer in at risk individuals.

The identification of a blood-based diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer (BC) would be particularly beneficial to those at increased risk of developing BC and could result in earlier detection which may increase survival rates due to earlier treatment. Alterations in α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) glycosylation levels occur during disease and this study sought to determine the diagnostic potential of AGP glycan variation in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) compared to BC of unknown type and healthy controls as well as women at increased risk of developing BC compared to age-matched healthy controls. AGP was isolated from blood of two different sample populations using low pressure chromatography. AGP purity was confirmed using SDS-PAGE and concentration determined using spectrophotometry. Structural analysis of AGP glycan monosaccharide and oligosaccharide content was undertaken using high pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Increased AGP concentrations were observed, in comparison to their controls, in BC of unknown type, TNBC and “at-risk” samples. Quantitative alterations in monosaccharide composition were also present. N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) was present in over 88% of TNBC samples and was inversely correlated with age. For the TNBC groups, GalNAc was also present at higher levels in samples of individuals with family history of BC. There was an overall increase in GlcNAc levels compared to age-matched healthy controls and GalNAc presence in 81% of “at risk” samples. Oligosaccharide analysis revealed increased branching in BC of unknown type and TNBC 35 possessed less branching. A similar trend was observed between the “at risk” samples and the age-matched controls. These branching patterns aligned well with the corresponding monosaccharide data. Overall, this study indicated that alterations in AGP levels and glycosylation exist between TNBC compared to BC of unknown type and “normal” healthy controls as well as an “at risk” population and age-matched healthy controls. The data could underpin the development of a new diagnostic BC biomarker.
Moderate bending strain induced semiconductor to metal transition in Si nanowires

A moderate amount of bending strains, ∼3% is found to be enough to induce the semiconductor-metal transition in Si nanowires of ∼4 nm diameter. The influence of bending on silicon nanowires of 1 nm to 4.3 nm diameter is investigated using molecular dynamics and quantum transport simulations. Local strains in nanowires are analyzed along with the effect of bending strain and nanowire diameter on electronic transport and the transmission energy gap. Interestingly, relatively wider nanowires are found to undergo semiconductor-metal transition at relatively lower bending strains. The effect of bending strain on electronic properties is then compared with the conventional way of straining, i.e. uniaxial, which shows that bending is a much more efficient way of straining to enhance the electronic transport and also to induce the semiconductor-metal transition in experimentally realizable Si nanowires.
Atomic Layer Deposition of p-Type Bi2S3

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) is demonstrated by the sequential exposure of bismuth(III) bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dionate) [Bi(thd)3] and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at 200 °C. A saturated growth rate of 0.34–0.37 A/cycle was observed by in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and verified by ex situ X-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements throughout the ALD temperature window. As-deposited Bi2S3 films were found to be polycrystalline in nature without any preferential orientation. In addition to the direct band gap at ca. 1.56 eV normally seen for Bi2S3, we also found evidence for an indirect band gap at ca. 1.03 eV. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and Seebeck measurements strongly support degenerate p-type conductivity of the as-grown thin films, in contrast to the n-type nature normally found in the literature. Temperature-dependent (70–300 K) electrical resistivity measurements showed that, in the temperature range of 70–100 K, variable-range hopping (VRH) .
A quantitative description of fission-track etching in apatite

Abstract We measured the apatite etch rate vR in 5.5 M HNO3 at 21 °C as a function of orientation. Results for Durango apatite evidence that vR varies by a factor >5 with angle to the c-axis. Our measurements also provided track etch rates vT and surface etch rates vS. However, these cannot be combined for calculating track etching or counting efficiencies. By inserting the measured etch rates in a recent model, we calculate the geometries and dimensions of surface tracks in different apatite faces. The proposed model must be recalibrated for different etching protocols and adapted for other minerals. We submit that the new model justifies reviewing track counting efficiencies based on the existing (vB-vT) etch model. We anticipate that this will have an effect on practical aspects of fission track dating. Single-track step-etch data show that the confined track lengths increase with etch time at a decreasing average rate vL that differs from the track etch rate vT and the apatite etch rate vR. Both vT and vL exhibit large track-to-track differences that produce irreducible length variation related to the latent-track structure resulting from formation and annealing. Step etching and track width measurements are effective for reducing or eliminating procedure-related artifacts from track length data, and so for accessing more fundamental track properties.
Heat shock alters pea aphid–Buchnera interactions: negative allometry of gene densities

In the face of global climate change, the understanding of how aphid‐symbiont relationships are affected by heat shock is critical. We evaluated the effects of heat shock on the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and its obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola Munson et al. by means of quantitative PCR in treated aphids and their offspring. First‐instar aphids received a single heat shock (35 °C for 6 h), repetitive heat shocks (repeat of the single heat shock for 3 days), or a control treatment (constant 20 °C). We evaluated the impacts on aphid body length and Buchnera and aphid gene densities, estimated from the number of copies of bacterial 16S‐rRNA and nuclear elongation factor 1‐alpha (EF1α) genes, respectively. Heat shock negatively affected aphid body length and Buchnera and EF1α gene densities. Heat‐shocked aphids contained lower densities of Buchnera and EF1α genes than control aphids when body length was kept constant. When Buchnera and EF1α gene densities were represented on a log–log scale, Buchnera densities increased with EF1α densities in all treatments, but Buchnera densities showed negative allometry with EF1α densities. Compared to control aphids, heat‐shocked aphids contained lower Buchnera densities relative to EF1α densities. Some heat‐shocked aphids became sterile if their Buchnera gene density was lower than a threshold (ca. 42 000 copies). The offspring of aphids subjected to a single heat shock recovered the number of Buchnera, but the offspring of aphids subjected to repetitive heat shocks exhibited markedly lower Buchnera and EF1α densities. Thus, heat shock negatively affects both aphid and Buchnera cell proliferation, in the heat shock‐treated generation as well as in their offspring, but the impact is more severe on Buchnera. Because the symbiont supplies essential amino acids, vitamins, and an essential protein, this could reduce aphid development and reproduction and possibly leads to extinction of local populations.
Diffusion, Excitons and Adsorptivity of H and He atoms on KBr (001) M-center Surface: DFT calculations.

The energetic properties of M-center diffusion, excitons near M 2+ , M + , M, M - and M 2- centers and adsorptivity of H and He atoms over defect free and defect containing surfaces of KBr using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations are discussed. The results clarify that: (i) The calculated barriers for diffusing M-center in its lowest triplet excited state is similar to those in its singlet ground state. (ii) Both exciton bands and band gaps depend on the defect charge. For exciton bands, in the bulk and at the surface, M - and M 2change the nature of KBr from isolator to semiconductor. (iii) The adsorptivity of atomic H and He was in the range of chemical adsorption. The M-center makes H atom more adsorb. (iv) The HOMO and LUMO levels of the substrate shift to higher energies and band gaps become narrow when M-center is introduced. This change in the electronic structure causes charge transfer between adsorbate and substrate levels.
Classification techniques in breast cancer diagnosis: A systematic literature review

ABSTRACT Data mining (DM) consists in analysing a set of observations to find unsuspected relationships and then summarising the data in new ways that are both understandable and useful. It has become widely used in various medical fields including breast cancer (BC), which is the most common cancer and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. BC diagnosis is a challenging medical task and many studies have attempted to apply classification techniques to it. The objective of the present study is to identify studies on classification techniques in BC diagnosis and to analyse them from three perspectives: classification techniques used, accuracy of the classifiers, and comparison of performance. We performed a systematic literature review (SLR) of 176 selected studies published between January 2000 and November 2018. The results show that, of the nine classification techniques investigated, artificial neural networks, support vector machines and decision trees were the most frequently used. Moreover, artificial neural networks, support vector machines and ensemble classifiers performed better than the other techniques, with median accuracy values of 95%, 95% and 96% respectively. Most of the selected studies (57.4%) used datasets containing different types of images such as mammographic, ultrasound, and microarray images.
Gain clamping performance of Hafnia–bismuth–erbium co-doped fibre amplifier using lasing controlled structure with FBG

In this study, the gain clamping performance of Hafnia-bismuth-erbium co-doped fibre amplifier (HB-EDFA) using a lasing controlled structure with fibre Bragg grating (FBG) pair is presented. First, the gain and noise figure (NF) characteristics of a bidirectionally pumped HB-EDFA with very short lengths of heavily doped fibre are presented regarding its critical design parameters such as HB-EDF length, pump power, input signal power and signal wavelength. Then, the gain clamping performance of a bidirectionally pumped HB-EDFA having a C-band FBG pair with Bragg wavelengths of 1534 and 1542 nm is experimentally analysed. A good gain clamping capability was obtained using the proposed bidirectionally HB-EDFA design which has resulted in a dynamic signal input power range of 25 dB at 16 dB signal gain for 1.6 m HB-EDF length, and a wider dynamic signal input power range of 30 dB at 10 dB signal gain for 1.1 m HB-EDF length.
Disappearing boundaries? Reality, virtuality and the possibility of “pure” mixed reality (MR)

ABSTRACT This article argues that reality and virtuality are still very much phenomenologically distinguishable, although this might not be the case forever. I argue for two main types of virtuality – one inherently involved in the dynamic horizons of perceptual experiences, while the other is all of our experiences of digital images – in order to show that a particular possible instantiation of the latter type, namely “pure” mixed reality (MR), might come to blur and collapse various experiential categories in the future, not least real and irreal, like never before. To show this, there are three main sections. First, I outline my understanding of the two basic types of virtuality, as understood from a classical phenomenological analysis. Second, I give an account of the most important family of “virtual technologies” relevant to the question at hand, namely virtual, augmented and mixed reality (VR, AR and MR respectively) technologies. After homing in on MR, I explain what “pure” MR is and how, through tactile holograms, this might change even basic experiential distinctions going forward, and not necessarily for the better.
A new tensor approach of computing pure and mixed Unilateral Support Equilibria

In this paper, pure unilateral support equilibrium (USE) is located among pure Nash and pure Berge equilibrium using tensors. The differences between these equilibria are shown using tensor form of a game and are illustrated with numerical examples. Tensors will help specify the location of each equilibrium using a system of coordinates that brings a solid mathematical foundation of all equilibria and provides the possibility to solve high dimensional problems. A numerical example with a 15-player game is studied to demonstrate the efficiency. Besides, we extend the notion of pure USE to mixed USE when the sets of strategies of all players are finite. We prove a lemma dedicated to inaugurate a method of computing mixed USE profiles. We write corresponding formulas using tensors and their operations, and then we illustrate the new method and lemma method by a numerical example of a 7-player game.
An Uncertain Single-Server Queueing Model

In the queueing theory, the interarrival times between customers and the service times for customers are usually regarded as random variables. This paper considers human uncertainty in a queueing system, and proposes an uncertain queueing model in which the interarrival times and the service times are regarded as uncertain variables. The busyness index is derived analytically which indicates the service efficiency of a queueing system. Besides, the uncertainty distribution of the busy period is obtained.
Excitation Functions of some Neutron Threshold Reactions on 89Y in the Energy Range of 7.8 to 14.7 MeV

Excitation functions were measured for ''''Y(n,2n)"''Y, "'Y(n,p)'"Sr and »''Y(n,a)'"'Rb reactions from their respective thresholds up to 14.7 MeV using the activation technique. Quasimonoenergetic neutrons in the energy ränge of 7.8 to 13.3 MeV were produced via the ^H(d,n)'He reaction on a D2 gas target at the Jülich compact cyclotron (CV 28), and monoenergetic neutrons in the ränge of 13.8 to 14.7 MeV using the D-T neutron generator at Debrecen. For characterization of ""Y and "''Rb, high-resolution y-ray spectrometry was applied. The latter product was also separated radiochemically and characterized by low-level ß~ counting; the results obtained using the two counting methods were generally in good agreement. The product "'Sr is a pure ß^ emitter: its activity was exclusively assayed via radiochemical Separation and ß~ counting. Our results agree with the literature values on the (n,2n) reaction and provide the first consistent set of data on the (n,p) and (n,a) reactions near their thresholds. Statistical model calculations incorporating precompound effects were performed on the three excitation functions under consideration. The experimental and theoretical results were found to be in good agreement. Some systematic trends in the excitation functions in this mass region are discussed. without any associated y-ray, and the (n,a) product via ß~ emission with a weak y-ray associated with it. The element yttrium is monoisotopic ("'Y) and magic in neutron number {N = 50). Furthermore, it is a reactor material, hence its neutronic properties are of interest in nuclear energy systems. Whereas extensive measurements have been performed on the (n,2n) process (for a review cf. Refs. [1, 2, 5, 6]), the data base for the (n,p) and (n,a) reactions is relatively weak [cf. Ref. 5]. In the case of the (n,p) reaction the reported cross section values at 14-15 MeV [cf. Refs. 7, 8] as well as the excitation function measured by two groups [cf. Refs. 9, 10] are discrepant. For the (n,a) reaction several activation cross sections have been reported at 1 4 1 5 MeV [8, 11-13] but the results are conflicting. Similar to the (n,p) reaction, the two reported excitation function measurements [Refs. 9, 10] are discrepant. More consistent seem to be the data at 14.8 MeV obtained via mass spectrometry [14] and an Integration of the emitted a-particle spectrum [15]. In view of the above described status of data, a radiochemical study of the (n,p) and (n,a) reactions on appeared to be of considerable timely interest.
Bioflocculation of Hematite and Goethite Using Bacillus licheniformis (Bio-flocculation of Hematite and Goethite)

ABSTRACT Cells and metabolite of Bacillus licheniformis were applied in the bioflocculation of hematite and goethite. Effects of bioreagent type, pH, and solid concentration on the settling process were studied. The highest settling of hematite and goethite were obtained at pH 5 and 7, respectively. This observation was in agreement with the trend of bioflocculant adsorption. Also, among all the tested bioflocculants, bacterial cells showed the best flocculating ability. Moreover, mineral concentration and pH were determined as the most influential variables on hematite and goethite settling, respectively. Finally, all the tested bioreagents showed acceptable flocculating capabilities that were largely dependent on electrostatic forces.
H2Rec: Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Network Embedding Fusion for Social Recommendation

Due to the problems of data sparsity and cold start in traditional recommendation systems, social information is introduced. From the perspective of heterogeneity, it reflects the indirect relationship between users, and from the perspective of homogeneity, it reflects the direct relationship between users. At present, most social recommendation is based on the homogeneity or heterogeneity of social networks. Few studies consider both of them at the same time, and the deep structure of social networks is not extensively exploited and comprehensively explore. To address these issues, we propose a unified H2Rec model to fuse homogeneous and heterogeneous information for recommendations in social networks. Considering the rich semantics reflected by metapaths in heterogeneous information and the wealth of social information reflected by homogeneous information, the proposed method uses a random walk strategy to generate node sequences in a homogeneous information network and a random walk strategy guided by metapaths to generate node sequences in a heterogeneous information network (HIN). Finally, we combine the two parts into a unified model for social recommendation. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. © 2021 The Authors . Published by Atlantis Press B.V. This is an open access article distributed under the CC