Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relation of Combined Aerobic and Muscle-Strengthening Physical Activities With Presenteeism.

BACKGROUND There is a need to understand physical activity types associated with health-related work limitations (also known as presenteeism). This study tests whether additive effects between physical activity types are associated with health-related work limitations among employees from a public university system. METHODS A cross-sectional study using health assessment data (n = 10,791) was used to examine aims. Analysis of covariance models tested differences in work limitations between physical activity groups based on combinations of stretching behavior, aerobic, and muscle-strengthening physical activities. Planned contrasts compared differences between selected groups. RESULTS There were significant group differences (P < .001) in reported work limitations after controlling for demographic, season, and health-related variables. Employees who reported participating in aerobic physical activity had significantly lower work limitation levels compared with inactive employees (P = .027). Employees who reported participating in both aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities had the lowest work limitation levels compared with all groups and significantly lower work limitation levels compared with employees who participated in aerobic physical activity only (P = .026). CONCLUSIONS Results provide evidence of an additive effect where participating in a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activities may be most beneficial when targeting health-related work limitations.
Design, Delivery and Evaluation of Teaching by Service Users and Carers

Education influences individual health and social care professionals and the systems in which they work. We describe a postgraduate educational program that did this through involving service users and carers in designing and facilitating teaching programs. A module of teaching was designed and delivered in partnership with users and carers from older people's mental health services to a multidisciplinary student group. Its evaluation employed written feedback and separate focus groups involving students and service user/carer teachers. Both groups highlighted the profound effect of the teaching, and the involvement of users and carers was a powerful experience for all involved.
Defending referrals between consultants

T he NHS, at least in England, is currently afflicted by managerial interference in the referral of patients from one consultant to another and also in the scheduling of follow-up appointments in consultants' clinics. Each inpatient and outpatient in NHS hospitals (with a few exceptions) is under the care of a medically or dentally qualified consultant, who needs access to a number of facilities so as to provide treatment and give advice. These facilities include investigations, operating theatres, and the services of other professionals such as physiotherapists. Consultants also need to be able to get opinions and interventions from other consultants—from colleagues in their own hospital and sometimes by referring to a consultant in another hospital. Access to this facility is as fundamental as access to the others. In the NHS, capacity for prompt referral from one consultant to another is often lacking. Patients needing such referrals often have to join waiting lists for clinics to which general practitioners …
Supporting carers to manage pain medication in cancer patients at the end of life: A feasibility trial

Background: Carers of people with advanced cancer play a significant role in managing pain medication, yet they report insufficient information and support to do so confidently and competently. There is limited research evidence on the best ways for clinicians to help carers with medication management. Aims: To develop a pain medicines management intervention (Cancer Carers Medicines Management) for cancer patients’ carers near the end of life and evaluate feasibility and acceptability to nurses and carers. To test the feasibility of trial research procedures and to inform decisions concerning a full-scale randomised controlled trial. Design: Phase I-II clinical trial. A systematic, evidence-informed participatory method was used to develop CCMM: a nurse-delivered structured conversational process. A two-arm, cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial of Cancer Carers Medicines Management was conducted, with an embedded qualitative study to evaluate participants’ experiences of Cancer Carers Medicines Management and trial procedures. Setting: Community settings in two study sites. Participants: Phase I comprises 57 carers, patients and healthcare professionals and Phase II comprises 12 nurses and 15 carers. Results: A novel intervention was developed. Nurses were recruited and randomised. Carer recruitment to the trial was problematic with fewer than predicted eligible participants, and nurses judged a high proportion unsuitable to recruit into the study. Attrition rates following recruitment were typical for the study population. Cancer Carers Medicines Management was acceptable to carers and nurses who took part, and some benefits were identified. Conclusion: Cancer Carers Medicines Management is a robustly developed medicines management intervention which merits further research to test its effectiveness to improve carers’ management of pain medicines with patients at the end of life. The study highlighted aspects of trial design that need to be considered in future research.
Privacy-Preserving Comparison of Variable-Length Data With Application to Biometric Template Protection

The establishment of cloud computing and big data in a wide variety of daily applications has raised some privacy concerns due to the sensitive nature of some of the processed data. This has promoted the need to develop data protection techniques, where the storage and all operations are carried out without disclosing any information. Following this trend, this paper presents a new approach to efficiently compare variable-length data in the encrypted domain using homomorphic encryption where only encrypted data is stored or exchanged. The new variable-length-based algorithm is fused with existing fixed-length techniques in order to obtain increased comparison accuracy. To assess the soundness of the proposed approach, we evaluate its performance on a particular application: a multi-algorithm biometric template protection system based on dynamic signatures that complies with the requirements described in the ISO/IEC 24745 standard on biometric information protection. Experiments have been carried out on a publicly available database and a free implementation of the Paillier cryptosystem to ensure reproducibility and comparability to other schemes.
A Kalman Estimation Based Rao-Blackwellized Particle Filtering for Radar Tracking

The Rao-Blackwellized particle filtering (RBPF) offers a general tracking framework with linear/nonlinear state space models, which outperforms the standard particle filtering in nonlinear and non-Gaussian tracking scenarios. Unfortunately, in conventional radar systems, the observations contain no information about the linear part of target state. In these cases, the RBPF algorithm fails to catch the real trajectories, because we cannot obtain the enough information to correctly update the linear part of target state in the tracking procedure. To overcome such an issue, this paper proposes a Kalman estimation-based BRPF (KE-BRPF) algorithm. In KE-RBPF, the correlation between linear and nonlinear parts of target state is investigated. Benefitting from such investigation, we derive a new set of formulea to present the correlation in terms of means and variances. By utilizing these formulas, our KE-RBPF algorithm correctly tracks the linear part of target state based on the nonlinear one. Finally, the simulation results verify that, our KE-RBPF performs better than other state-of-the-art tracking methods in nonlinear and non-Gaussian radar tracking scenarios, with at least 18% reduction in terms of the means and central tendency of error of tracking root-mean-square-error.
Findings from a UK feasibility study of the CenteringPregnancy® model

CenteringPregnancy® is a model of group antenatal care which was devised and developed in the United States. A feasibility study was conducted in South East London from 2008 to 2010, to assess if the model could be introduced into NHS settings, if women would be prepared to join a group model of care and to explore the views of the women, their partners and midwives who participated. This was the first time the model had been implemented in the UK. Six antenatal groups, attended by 60 women and their partners and facilitated by 12 midwives, were established for the feasibility study with a seventh group of 8 women and their partners established later to bring the learning together and inform an operational guidance document (Gaudion and Menka, 2011). Women whose pregnancies were classed as low or high risk could opt for group antenatal care at the study site after discussion with a midwife at their antenatal booking visit. Integral components of the CenteringPregnancy model are the evaluations of care whi.
Self-Recalibration of PTZ Cameras

Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras have been widely used for providing flexible view selection and a wider observation range. In order to utilize these cameras for a meaning application, it is necessary to calibrate cameras. However, with camera pan, tilt and zoom, the previous calibrated camera parameters often vary, which are required to be updated automatically. In this paper, we present a novel self-recalibtion method of PTZ cameras under a small pitch angle. The proposed approach is based on the calibrated camera. First, the keypoints from two frames, corresponding to ones before and after the parameters are changed, are matched roughly, then the false matching pairs are removed by the displacement constraint, which is statistical displacement constraint in pan and tilt, while in zoom is principal point constraint. Second, the homography between the two frames can be estimated from the matching ones, then the camera parameters can be updated by combining previous known parameters. Furthermore, we present a evaluation method of recalibration precision. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Deep Belief Networks Ensemble for Blood Pressure Estimation

In this paper, we propose a deep belief network (DBN)–deep neural network (DNN) with mimic features based on the bootstrap inspired technique to learn the complex nonlinear relationship between the mimic feature vectors obtained from the oscillometry signals and the target blood pressures. Unfortunately, we have two problems in utilizing the DBN–DNN technique to estimate the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). First, our set of input feature vectors is very small, which is a fatal drawback to training based on the DBN–DNN technique. Second, the special pre-training phase can also trigger an unstable estimation, because there are still a lot of random initialized assigns, such as the training data set, weights, and biases. For these reasons, we employ the bootstrap-inspired technique as a fusion ensemble estimator based on the DBN–DNN-based regression model, which is used to create the mimic features to estimate the SBP and DBP. Our DBN–DNN-based ensemble regression estimator provides a lower standard deviation of error, mean error, and mean absolute error for the SBP and DBP as compared with those of the conventional methods.
Performance evaluation of a TCP proxy in WCDMA networks

The article addresses the end-to-end performance of TCP in a scenario where WCDMA is used as the access link. In particular, the performance gain that can be achieved by placing a TCP split connection proxy in the WCDMA core network is examined. It is well known that performance enhancing proxies are able to improve the performance of TCP over wireless links that suffer from impairments. However, while previous work on TCP proxies for wireless systems either focused on other wireless systems, like wireless LAN or satellites, or provided a more generic framework, we address in detail the characteristics of a WCDMA access scenario supported by a TCP proxy. The characteristics of WCDMA as perceived by TCP are discussed thoroughly. We argue that the motivation for introducing a proxy is only to overcome problems stemming from a large bandwidth delay product and not to assist local transport layer error recovery at the wireless link. Based on simulations that consider both link layer protocols and TCP, the end-to-end performance for file downloads is investigated. Simulation results show that a proxy can significantly improve performance in the case of high data rates like 384 kb/s. For lower data rates, like 64 and 128 kb/s, it is sufficient to use a well configured TCP implementation.
Evaluation of header compression schemes for IP-based wireless access systems

For mobile IP-based telephony (voice over IP) and IP-based real-time multimedia over cellular radio systems, an economically viable solution is needed. It is an absolute requirement that, for example, the 60-octet IPv6/UPD/RTP headers on IP telephony packets be reduced in size to conserve bandwidth in the radio spectrum. We evaluate the performance of two header compression schemes, based on RFCs 2508 and 3095, under the conditions of cellular radio access technology. The results presented in this article refer to voice and Web browsing traffic and are based on the implementation of compression/decompression algorithms for the aforementioned standards. We find that RFC 3095 performs significantly better if used for mobile communications.
Network selection in an integrated wireless LAN and UMTS environment using mathematical modeling and computing techniques

The increasing demand for broadband service, at least in hot spot areas, in today's wireless communications is causing cellular network providers to consider the integration of 3G cellular systems and wireless LAN. This has the particular advantage of high data rates and unlicensed spectrum. Consequently, network selection techniques play a vital role in ensuring quality of service in heterogeneous networks. In this article we develop a network selection scheme for an integrated cellular/wireless LAN system. The design goal is to provide the user the best available QoS at any time. The proposed scheme comprises two parts, with the first applying an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to decide the relative weights of evaluative criteria set according to user preferences and service applications, while the second adopts grey relational analysis (GRA) to rank the network alternatives with faster and simpler implementation than AHP. Simulations conducted in a heterogeneous system with UMTS and wireless LAN reveal that the proposed network selection technique can effectively decide the optimum network through making trade-offs among network condition, user preference, and service application, while avoiding frequent handoffs.
Review: Meta-analysis of the effects of lithium usage on serum creatinine levels

There is conflicting evidence concerning lithium’s effect on renal function. The aim is to clarify whether lithium affects kidney function and at what stage of treatment any effect may occur. Systematic review identified 23 studies split into three groups on which meta-analysis was performed to identify the following: A) lithium’s effect on renal function in cross-sectional case-control studies, B) studies of renal function before and after commencement on lithium, C) studies of longer term effect in those already established on lithium therapy. Group A showed a statistically significant increase of 5.7 μmol/L in creatinine in the study population compared with controls. Group B showed a non-statistically significant rise in creatinine (2.9 μmol/L) after a mean follow-up of 86 months. Group C showed a statistically significant increase in creatinine of 7.0 μmol/L over a mean duration of 64 months. An increase in creatinine of an average of 1.6 μmol/L/year on lithium was also identified in this group. Any lithium-associated increase in serum creatinine is quantitatively small and of questionable clinical significance. However, routine renal function monitoring of patients on lithium is essential.
The effect of nicotine on visuospatial attention in chronic spatial neglect depends upon lesion location

The deficit to reorient attention from ipsilesional to contralesional space is one key feature of the spatial neglect syndrome. As previous studies suggest that reorienting of visuospatial attention is modulated by cholinergic neurotransmission, we investigated whether cholinergic stimulation with nicotine (Nicorette® 2 mg, Pharmacia/Pfizer, Helsingborg, Sweden) facilitates attentional reorienting in spatial neglect patients. Nine nonsmoking patients with stable neglect symptoms were investigated in a within-subject cross-over design. We used a location-cueing paradigm and analysed reaction time (RT) differences between validly and invalidly cued, as well as between neutrally cued and uncued targets as a function of hemifield and drug. Moreover, since the nicotine effect is mediated by parietal brain areas in healthy subjects, we tested whether lesion location influences the pharmacological effect. Nicotine speeded RTs in valid and invalid trials nonspecifically, without modulating the validity effect in the location-cueing task in the whole group of patients. Lesion-symptom mapping revealed a relationship between lesion site and the pharmacological effect on reorienting to contralesional space in right parietal and temporal brain regions. We conclude that in patients with chronic spatial neglect the performance in the location-cueing paradigm can be modulated by a cholinergic stimulant provided that the lesion spares right parietal and temporal cortex.
An Autonomous Wireless Body Area Network Implementation Towards IoT Connected Healthcare Applications

Internet of Things (IoT) is a new technological paradigm that can connect things from various fields through the Internet. For the IoT connected healthcare applications, the wireless body area network (WBAN) is gaining popularity as wearable devices spring into the market. This paper proposes a wearable sensor node with solar energy harvesting and Bluetooth low energy transmission that enables the implementation of an autonomous WBAN. Multiple sensor nodes can be deployed on different positions of the body to measure the subject’s body temperature distribution, heartbeat, and detect falls. A web-based smartphone application is also developed for displaying the sensor data and fall notification. To extend the lifetime of the wearable sensor node, a flexible solar energy harvester with an output-based maximum power point tracking technique is used to power the sensor node. Experimental results show that the wearable sensor node works well when powered by the solar energy harvester. The autonomous 24 h operation is achieved with the experimental results. The proposed system with solar energy harvesting demonstrates that long-term continuous medical monitoring based on WBAN is possible provided that the subject stays outside for a short period of time in a day.
Vertical QoS mapping over wireless interfaces

This article focuses on the problem of quality of service mapping between layers in a cascade. Protocol stacks in telecommunications networks are composed of functional layers. QoS provision depends on the performance achieved at each layer and is based on functions performed at layer interfaces. In practice, QoS derives from reliable physical and link layers that can offer specific transport services to upper network layers. The data flows (or bundles of flows) generated by the upper layers (e.g., the network layers) are forwarded down to a physical interface that transports the information along a channel that provides, if possible, the expected QoS to the upper layers. The action is called vertical QoS mapping and poses many challenges for a communication scientist, in particular if it is applied to wireless interfaces. This article states the definition of vertical QoS mapping, proposes a formal separation between technology-dependent and technology-independent layers, models each functional layer as a battery of buffers, generalizes the relation between layers through a chain of buffers in a cascade, formalizes the theoretical problems of vertical QoS mapping, and suggests possible solutions that use dynamic bandwidth allocation schemes.
Wireless loss-tolerant congestion control protocol based on dynamic aimd theory

Recently, the use of Internet Protocol has rapidly expanded beyond the Internet, as evidenced, for example, by the construction of the next-generation network, empowering telecommunication networks by IP. A huge IP network is expected to emerge in the near future by means of convergence of various networks. However, Transmission Control Protocol, the de facto standard transport layer protocol providing reliable communication over such IP networks, poses several significant performance issues. The small buffer problem, unfair bandwidth allocation, and throughput degradation in wireless environments have been widely known issues in TCP communications. In this article we examine the causes of these problems from the viewpoint of window control theory. While TCP employs additive-increase multiplicative-decrease theory as a window control policy, the lack of flexibility of its static AIMD control is the basic cause for its performance degradation. After briefly reviewing TCP enhancements that utilize various modified AIMD control schemes, we introduce explicitly synchronized TCP, which employs a dynamic AIMD window control mechanism by employing feedback information from network nodes. By dynamically controlling AIMD procedures according to varying network conditions, ESTCP is able to achieve high performance even in hybrid wired/wireless networks.
Exploring the Validity of the Internet Addiction Test for Students in Grades 5–9 in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study seeks to test the validity and reliability of Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT) for use with Hong Kong students in grades 5 to 9 (i.e., young people aged 10–15 in primary or junior secondary education). The questionnaire used in the study consisted of the IAT and nine other items on relevant predictor variables—duration of Internet use, time spent online, and online activities. Participants were chosen randomly from schools in Hong Kong by a stratified multiple-stage cluster sampling method, yielding 988 valid responses, or a response rate of 99.8 percent. A factor analysis of the IAT revealed four factors—interference with family relationships, salience and withdrawal, overindulgence in online relationships, as well as tolerance and neglecting daily routines. Based on this fartor structure, findings related to internal consistency reliability and correlations with predictor variables provided support for the valid use of the IAT in measuring Internet addiction for Hong Kong students in grades 5–9. The implications of the current findings for future research and practice are discussed.