Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biocompatibility of Different Biopolymers After Being Implanted Into the Rat Cochlea

Objective: To assess the biocompatibility of different biopolymers with cochlea implant. Materials and Methods: Six bioabsorbable polymers and biostable silicone were used for testing histologic reactions in the cochlea of the rat. The samples were prepared from three 50/50 poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) PDLLGA having different inherent viscosity (IV) values and 75/25 poly(dl-lactide-co-&egr;-caprolactone) P(DLLA/CL), poly-&egr;-caprolactone PCL, silicone, and chitosan by extruding the biomaterial as a rod using melt molding (for 50/50 PDLLGAs and 75/25 P(DLLA/CL) and PCL), blending (for silicone), and solving (for chitosan). The rods were cut into samples of diameter of 0.5 mm and length of 2 mm. All the samples were packed and sterilized by gamma irradiation (18 kGy, less than 42°C). Twenty-two male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Four months after the implantation, the animals were killed for histologic observation. Results: Chitosan does not degrade in the cochlea 4 months after implantation and, therefore, stimulates very weak inflammatory reaction. The 50/50 PDLLGA (IV, 0.83 dL/g) degrades in the cochlea 4 months after implantation and does not stimulate inflammatory reaction. The 50/50 PDLLGA (IV, 0.41 dL/g; IV, 0.37 dL/g), 75/25 P(DLLA/CL), PCL, and silicone might induce strong inflammatory reaction in the cochlea. Conclusion: Different degradation property of biomaterials in the cochlea indicates diverse drug releasing time in a controlled way. Chitosan is suitable for long-lasting drug delivery, whereas 50/50 PDLLGA (IV, 0.83 dL/g) favors quicker releasing. Both chitosan and 50/50 PDLLGA (IV, 0.83 dL/g) are ideal materials for cochlear drug delivery.
Edge detection on massively parallel machines: a local threshold approach

Describes an approach to edge detection particularly suited for implementation on distributed-memory massively parallel MIMD machines. One of the main tasks of this work is the identification of an optimal edge threshold, i.e. the value of the luminance gradient allowing one to identify actual edge pixels. Such identification has been done by adopting a local approach, where the image is a-priori partitioned into small square windows, and the optimal threshold is selected by ranking the outputs produced by several thresholds inside each window. The innovative contributions of this work lie in the fact that, by partitioning the image in suitably small windows, the probability of having only one edge chain in each window is maximized (thus enhancing the effectiveness of the optimal threshold selection criterion), and the scalability of the application is ensured (due to the high number of simple processing tasks into which the algorithm is subdivided). <<ETX>>
Traffic‐aware overload control scheme in 5G ultra‐dense M2M networks

Due to a huge number of M2M devices expected to access the network simultaneously, congestion and overload of networks are the core challenges to the 5G ultra‐dense M2M networks design. In this paper, an optimal traffic‐load control scheme is proposed to overcome the challenges. Since the base station lacks accurate information about the traffic‐load of network resulting in an unachievable solution to the optimal control scheme in practice, we propose two different traffic‐load estimation schemes corresponding to the two different access protocols. For the first protocol that the collision devices are not barred by an access probability, we propose a markov‐chain based estimation scheme according to the collision state of network. For the second protocol that the collision devices are barred by an access probability, we estimate the traffic‐load using the number of success devices and the average number of new active devices in each slot. Both estimation schemes ensure that the practical control schemes are very close to the theoretical optimal control scheme. In addition, we prove that the optimal performances of the two protocols are exactly the same in theory. Finally, the simulation results exhibit our conclusion and show the superior performances of our proposed scheme.
HIV testing, care, and treatment experiences among the steady male partners of female sex workers living with HIV in the Dominican Republic

ABSTRACT Male steady partners of female sex workers (FSW) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represent a key population for treatment as prevention and/or pre-exposure prophylaxis interventions. This study uses data collected from male steady partners who were referred by FSW living with HIV participating in a multi-level HIV prevention and care intervention in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. We conducted a socio-behavioral survey and HIV testing with all men (n = 64) and 16 in-depth interviews with a sub-sample to obtain more depth. Thirty-five of the 64 participants were living with HIV; 27 were previously diagnosed and 8 were diagnosed during our study. As a result, 45% of men were members of sero-discordant sexual partnerships. Of men with no previous HIV diagnosis (n = 37), 15 had never been tested for HIV and nine had not been tested in the past two years. Ninety-three percent of men previously diagnosed with HIV reported receiving HIV care in the past 6 months and 78% were taking anti-retrovirals. Low HIV testing was partly due to men not feeling at risk for HIV, despite having an HIV-infected partner. Additionally, a lack of tailored care inhibited engagement in anti-retroviral treatment for those infected. HIV testing was low, highlighting a need for test-and-treat strategies. Men not living with HIV would benefit from regular testing and would be good candidates for pre-exposure prophylaxis. While almost all men who had been diagnosed with HIV were engaged in care and adherent to anti-retroviral therapy, future research should assess whether they are achieving optimal HIV outcomes for their health and prevention of ongoing transmission.
Efficient encoding of instructions of ARM Cortex M0+ processor

As the complexity of digital hardware grows steadily, so does the demand of high level modelling systems to abstract the low level implementation of synchronous and asynchronous digital circuits. Conditional partial order graphs representation provides a compact and solid approach to represent event-based systems, and together with Workcraft design tool, they represent an extremely efficient development environment to create any system. So far, the synthesis phase of the controller for managing the whole datapath structure lacked an efficient encoding association mechanism, as well as a friendly and customisable user interface to encode the Partial order graphs. The following paper aims at bridging this gap, providing a graphical user interface integrated in Workcraft, new algorithms for the generation of encodings for the Partial orders composing the system and the possibility to customise the final op-codes, if needed. All these features have been tested on the Instruction Set Architecture ARMv6-M, integrated into the ARM Cortex M0+ microprocessor showing quite a big improvement in terms of area of the final controller with respect to previous approaches.
Characterization and minimization of the stress response to trapping in free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus): insights from physiology and behavior

Abstract Objectives: Wildlife capture is an essential management tool that induces a reactive homeostasis response in the captured animals. The aim of this study was to characterize the reactive homeostatic response to trapping in free-ranging wolves and assess the mitigation achieved by reducing the duration of restraint. Materials and methods: Making use of wolves captured for ecological research as a model for wildlife acute stress, we characterize 25 reactive homeostasis mediators and we assess the effect on these mediators of reducing the duration of restraint in trap by using remote trap activation alarms. Results: Free-ranging wolves trapped by leg-hold snares (n = 15) showed higher stress leukogram, tissue injury and hematocrit; while lower glucose, ions and cardiac rate compared with captive wolves. They also showed higher leukocyte count and creatine kinase; but lower hematocrit, cardiac rate and rectal body temperature compared to wolves captured by darting from a helicopter. Daily distance travelled was significantly lower up to day 12 post-capture compared to the remainder of the telemetry follow-up and this effect was more noticeable on the nocturnal distance travelled. Reducing the duration of restraint on trap significantly lowered the stress leukogram and dehydration. Daily distance travelled during the night by wolves captured using trap-alarms was significantly lower only up to day 4 post-capture compared to up to day 28 for wolves captured without trap-alarms. Discussion: The capture method and duration of restraint influence the reactive homeostasis response of free-ranging wolves. Technological solutions that reduce the duration of restraint on trap significantly dampen this influence. Conclusions: Wildlife trapping actions should strive to minimize the delay from capture to manipulation.
Feature tracking for automated volume of interest stabilization on 4D-OCT images

A common representation of volumetric medical image data is the triplanar view (TV), in which the surgeon manually selects slices showing the anatomical structure of interest. In addition to common medical imaging such as MRI or computed tomography, recent advances in the field of optical coherence tomography (OCT) have enabled live processing and volumetric rendering of four-dimensional images of the human body. Due to the region of interest undergoing motion, it is challenging for the surgeon to simultaneously keep track of an object by continuously adjusting the TV to desired slices. To select these slices in subsequent frames automatically, it is necessary to track movements of the volume of interest (VOI). This has not been addressed with respect to 4DOCT images yet. Therefore, this paper evaluates motion tracking by applying state-of-the-art tracking schemes on maximum intensity projections (MIP) of 4D-OCT images. Estimated VOI location is used to conveniently show corresponding slices and to improve the MIPs by calculating thin-slab MIPs. Tracking performances are evaluated on an in-vivo sequence of human skin, captured at 26 volumes per second. Among investigated tracking schemes, our recently presented tracking scheme for soft tissue motion provides highest accuracy with an error of under 2.2 voxels for the first 80 volumes. Object tracking on 4D-OCT images enables its use for sub-epithelial tracking of microvessels for image-guidance.
(2S,4aR,6aR,7R,9S,10aS,10bR)-7-Carboxy-2-(3-furyl)-6a,10b-dimethyl-4,10-dioxoperhydrobenzo[f]isochromen-9-yl acetate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H26O8, contains two crystallographically independent molecules with closely comparable conformations (r.m.s. overlay = 0.54 Å for 30 non-H atoms). All six-membered rings display chair conformations, with a slight distortion for the lactone ring. The molecules are connected by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along [010], with the independent molecules segregated into separate chains. The two molecules in the asymmetric unit face each other in a head-to-tail fashion, with the furan ring of one molecule turned towards the carboxylic acid terminal of the other molecule.
[THE IMPACT OF LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS ON GENERIC HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN MALE PATIENTS WITHOUT CO-MORBIDITY].

PURPOSE We investigated the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in male patients without co-morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHOD From 2003 to 2011, a total 567 men who presented out urological department completed the questionnaires including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), incontinence-frequency score (IFS) from the UCLA prostate cancer index, MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Among 230 patients with no coexisting morbidity, the relations between each LUTS score of IPSS indices and IFS and 8 domain scores of SF-36 were analyzed by Pearson's product-moment correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. RESULT Univariate analysis showed that the IFS had a significant correlation with all of 8 domain scores of SF-36, and also the IPSS item scores of urgency, nocturia and straining correlated significantly with multiple domain scores of SF-36. In multiple regression analysis, the proportionate contributions of LUTS to each SF-36 domain scores were low (R2 was 10% or less). Incontinence was considered as the most influential factor that had a negative impact on HRQOL in 7 SF-36 domains of physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning and mental health. Additionally, nocturia, straining and urgency were significantly associated with deficit of HRQOL in 4 SF-36 domains (role-physical, general health perception, role-emotional, mental health), 2 domains (bodily pain, social functioning) and 1 domain (role-emotional) of SF-36, respectively. CONCLUSION; Among LUTS, incontinence, nocturia and straining were the most important symptoms in association with the negative impact on generic HRQOL measured by SF-36.
Clinical Validation of Functional Flexion/Extension Radiographs of the Cervical Spine

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical validity of functional flexion/extension radiographs of the cervical spine in a defined patient population. Sixty-four adults with functional disorders of the cervical spine underwent passive flexion/extension radiographic examinations. The radiographs were analyzed using a computer assisted method to calculate segmental motion parameters, such as rotations, translations, and centers of rotation. The patients were separated into three groups based on their specific functional disorders, and their motion parameters were compared with those of a healthy population. The three groups consisted of patients with degenerative changes, those with radicular syndrome, and those with whiplash trauma. Most of the patients displayed trends toward hypomobile segmental motion. This trend is displayed more substantially in the groups with degeneration and radicular syndrome. Hypomobility in segmental rotation was significant at C6-C7 for the degenerative and radicular groups. The trauma group showed trends toward hypermobility in the upper and middle cervical levels, and the locations of the centers of rotation were shifted in the anterior direction when compared with those of the healthy population.
A New Recognition Method for Visualizing Music Emotion

This paper proposes an emotion detection method using a combination of dimensional approach and categorical approach. Thayer’s model is divided into discrete emotion sections based on the level of arousal and valence. The main objective of the method is to increase the number of detected emotions which is used for emotion visualization. To evaluate the suggested method, we conducted various experiments with supervised learning and feature selection strategies. We collected 300 music clips with emotions annotated by music experts. Two feature sets are employed to create two training models for arousal and valence dimensions of Thayer’s model. Finally, 36 music emotions are detected by proposed method. The results showed that the suggested algorithm achieved the highest accuracy when using RandomForest classifier with 70% and 57.3% for arousal and valence, respectively. These rates are better than previous studies.
ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: monitoring and patient education--2012.

PURPOSE The results of the 2012 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists national survey of pharmacy practice in U.S. hospital settings are presented. METHODS A stratified random sample of pharmacy directors at 1413 general and children's medical-surgical hospitals were surveyed by mail. SDI Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from SDI's hospital database. RESULTS In this national probability sample survey, the response rate was 34.0%. The rate of pharmacist monitoring of most patients (i.e., >75%) in hospitals has increased, from 20.3% in 2000 to 46.5% in 2012. Therapeutic drug monitoring programs are in place at most hospitals; at more than 80% of hospitals, pharmacists have the authority to order laboratory tests and adjust medication dosages. A safety culture assessment has been conducted at 72.4% of hospitals. Pharmacists routinely perform discharge counseling in 24.7% of hospitals. At most hospitals, nurses are primarily responsible for medication reconciliation, but 65.9% of pharmacy directors would like pharmacy to have this responsibility. Computerized prescriber order entry is now used in 54.4% of hospitals, with barcode-assisted medication administration used in 65.5% and smart pumps used in 77% of hospitals. The majority of hospitals have fully or partially implemented electronic health records. An increase in the use of remote pharmacist review of medication orders has reduced the percentage of hospitals where orders are not reviewed before a dose is administered to 32%. CONCLUSION Pharmacists continue to improve medication use in U.S. hospitals through patient monitoring and education, safety initiatives, collaborative practices with other health care professionals, assisting in the adoption of technologies, and the provision of pharmacy services to outpatients.
Assessment and documentation of sexual health issues of recent combat veterans seeking VHA care.

INTRODUCTION Sexual health is an important aspect of human existence associated with disease and overall health. Despite these associations and the existence of medical treatments to improve sexual function, sexual health is often overlooked in health care. Recent combat veterans may be particularly vulnerable to sexual health issues due to their deployment-related health issues such as mental health conditions, prescription medications use, and psychosocial challenges. AIM This study assesses the sexual health issues of recent combat veterans seeking care at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) documented in the primary care and mental health notes from the first 6 months of care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Documentation of sexual health issues in the progress notes (coded into categories), primary care vs. mental health care visit note, initial vs. follow-up visit notes, and templated vs. non-templated text. METHODS This is a retrospective chart review of the first 158 consecutive patients seen for an initial assessment in the VAMC post-deployment clinic. Medical records were reviewed and text of sexual health issues and relevant patient and care characteristics were abstracted and coded into variables. RESULTS Almost 25% of patients had documented sexual health issues in the first 6 months of care. We coded 52 separate sexual health issues into 13 distinct categories. Overall, most sexual health issues were documented in mental health care notes, in non-templated text, and at follow-up visits. The use of templated text appeared to drive the documentation of low libido (the most common sexual health issue) in mental health care notes. CONCLUSIONS Sexual health issues are prevalent in recent combat veterans seeking care at a VAMC, but patterns of documentation suggest that they may be under-reported or incompletely addressed. A more systematic and provider-initiated approach to assessment of sexual health may promote fuller discussion of sexual health issues and optimize management.
Comparative study of affective disorders in three Asian countries. II. Differences in prevalence rates and symptom presentation

This study used standardized diagnostic criteria and method to investigate both prevalence rates and nature of symptoms of depressive disorders in three Asian centres – Nagasaki. Shanghai and Seoul. Of the patients who visited a psychiatric clinic in each of the 3 centres for the first time, over 20% suffered from depression. Unlike previous reported prevalence rates for Asian countries, these results suggest that rates in Asia may not be much lower than those reported in Western countries. Although prevalence rates of depression were similar in all 3 centres, differences in symptoms were noted.
A family study of HLA antigens and other genetic markers in schizophrenia

Synopsis HLA antigens and 19 other genetic marker systems were studied in 12 families containing 2 or more members diagnosed as schizophrenic. In contrast with previous reports we could exclude linkage between the disorder and HLA, and we found no evidence of linkage with Gm or Ge. The disagreement between our results and those of a previous study, which suggested linkage between HLA and schizophrenia, could not be explained on the basis of genetic heterogeneity within the disorder. The problems of performing a linkage study in the face of diagnostic uncertainty and an unknown mode of inheritance of the main trait are discussed, and the measures taken in attempts to overcome these difficulties are described. Despite present drawbacks, genetic marker studies hold future promise as a means of detecting major gene effects in schizophrenia and other familial psychiatric disorders.
Australian species of the ant genus Dolichoderus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

The Australian species of the ant genus Dolichoderus are revised. The fauna contains 27 species belonging to four species goups, the australis group (5 species, 2 newly described), the doriae group (6 species, 2 newly described), the scabridus poup (6 species, 1 newly described) and the scrobiculatus group (10 species, 4 newly described). The former subspecies niger Crawley and rufotibialis Clark are raised to species-level. The following nine new species are described: albamaculus sp. n. , canopus sp. n. , etus sp. n. , gordoni sp. n. , inferus sp. n. , kathae sp. n. , omicron sp. n. , rutilus sp. n. and semiorbis sp. n. Four new synonyms are proposed: armstrongi McAreavey with reflexus Clark, glauerti Wheeler with parvus Clark, occidentalis Clark withformosus Clark and ruficornis Santschi with scabridus Roger. A neotype is designated for D. clusor Forel. The majority of species are found in southern forested areas with only a few species known from arid and tropical regions.
Help me describe my data: A demonstration of the Open PHACTS VoID Editor

The Open PHACTS VoID Editor helps non-Semantic Web experts to create machine interpretable descriptions for their datasets. The web app guides the user, an expert in the domain of the data, through a series of questions to capture details of their dataset and then generates a VoID dataset description. The generated dataset description conforms to the Open PHACTS dataset description guidelines that ensure suitable provenance information is available about the dataset to enable its discovery and reuse. The VoID Editor is available at http://voideditor.cs. man.ac. uk. The source code can be found at https://github.com/openphacts/Void-Editor2.
Inhalable chitosan nanoparticles as antitubercular drug carriers for an effective treatment of tuberculosis

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize spray dried inhalable chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) for sustained delivery of anti-tubercular drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), to the lungs. CNPs were prepared by ionic gelation technique followed spray drying. Results showed that the CNPs obtained had a smooth spherical shape with an average size of 230 ± 4.5 nm, with a poly dispersity index of 0.180 ± 0.021. Both drugs, were detected in various organs (lungs, liver, spleen and kidney) until 24 h post nebulization. The chemotherapeutic efficacy of a single dose of drug-loaded CNPs suggested that they are more effective against the mycobacterium than free drugs.