Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What is the evidence for managing tone in young children with, or at risk of developing, cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Abstract Background and objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the evidence for the management of tone in infants 0–24 months of age, with or at risk of developing cerebral palsy. Method: This review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Statement. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria were: children aged 0–24 months, identified as at risk of, or having cerebral palsy; ≥25% of participants ≤24 months, and included a standardized assessment of tone. Only peer reviewed journal articles were considered. Eligible studies were coded using the Oxford Levels of Evidence. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale for randomized controlled trials and the checklist for assessing the quality of quantitative studies of Kmet, Cook and Lee for non-randomized control trials. Results: A total of 4838 studies were identified. After removing duplicates and unrelated studies, a total of 56 full text studies were reviewed. A total of five studies met inclusion criteria, two of which were RCTs, two pre-/post-test designs and one retrospective case audit. Interventions included BoNT-A, Oral Baclofen, Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction and Neurodevelopmental Therapy. The quality of evidence ranged from limited to moderate. Conclusion: The management of tone in infants and young children is not well described, with a dearth of high-level evidence to support intervention in the 0–24 month age-range. This is in contrast to a recent review completed by Novak et al. (2013) who report high levels of evidence of interventions for children with cerebral palsy, over 2 years of age. Implications for Rehabilitation High level of evidence to support clinical decision making for the management of tone in young children 0–24 months is not available. The lack of available evidence in the management of tone of young children underpins service delivery and intervention and impacts on patient outcomes. In the absence of clear research evidence, the systematic application of sensitive outcome measures is required to confirm treatment effects and generate new evidence. Hypertonia should not be managed in isolation. Consideration needs to be given to all components of the ICF-CY.
An improvement to gravitational fixed radius nearest neighbor for imbalanced problem

Mining of imbalanced data is one of the basic challenges in the field of machine learning and data mining. In the recent years, a lot of approaches have been proposed to handle imbalanced learning problem. A group of these methods are algorithmic level methods, which are adapted to the nature of imbalanced datasets. Gravitational fixed radius nearest neighbor algorithm (GFRNN) is an algorithmic level method, proposed in order to improve k nearest neighbor classifier when dealing with imbalanced datasets. This algorithm finds the fixed radius nearest neighbors as candidate set. Then, by computing the sum of gravitational forces on a query instance from candidate set, predict its label. Simplicity and no need for manually parameter setting during the run of algorithm are the main advantages of this method. In this paper, gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is used with the aim of finding the mass of training instances to improve the performance of GFRNN. Also we utilize the all training instances to make a decision about query instance. Experimental result on fifteen datasets show the superiority of it compared with four other algorithms.
Using BEEHAVE to explore pesticide protection goals for European honeybee (Apis melifera L.) worker losses at different forage qualities

Losses of honeybee colonies are intensely debated and although honeybees suffer multiple stressors, the main focus has been on pesticides. As a result, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) revised the guidance for pesticide risk assessment for honeybees. The European Food Safety Authority reported a protection goal of negligible effect at 7% of colony size and then used the Khoury honeybee colony model to set trigger values for forager losses. However, the Khoury model is very simplistic and simulates colonies in an idealized state. In the present study, the authors demonstrate how a more realistic published honeybee model, BEEHAVE, with a few simple changes, can be used to explore pesticide risks. The results show that forage availability interacts with pesticide‐induced worker losses, and colony resilience increases with forage quality. Adding alternative unexposed forage to the landscape also substantially mitigates the effects of pesticide exposure. The results indicate that EFSA's reported protection goal of 7% of colony size and triggers for daily worker losses are overly conservative. The authors conclude that forage availability is critical for colony resilience and that with adequate forage the colonies are resilient to even high levels of worker losses. However, the authors recommend setting protection goals using suboptimal forage conditions to ensure conservatism and for such suboptimal forage, a total of 20% reduction in colony size was safe. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:254–264. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC
Impact of sequence processing and taxonomic classification approaches on eukaryotic community structure from environmental samples with emphasis on diatoms

Next‐generation sequencing is a common method for analysing microbial community diversity and composition. Configuring an appropriate sequence processing strategy within the variety of tools and methods is a nontrivial task and can considerably influence the resulting community characteristics. We analysed the V4 region of 18S rRNA gene sequences of marine samples by 454‐pyrosequencing. Along this process, we generated several data sets with QIIME, mothur, and a custom‐made pipeline based on DNAStar and the phylogenetic tree‐based PhyloAssigner. For all processing strategies, default parameter settings and punctual variations were used. Our results revealed strong differences in total number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), indicating that sequence preprocessing and clustering had a major impact on protist diversity estimates. However, diversity estimates of the abundant biosphere (abundance of ≥1%) were reproducible for all conducted processing pipeline versions. A qualitative comparison of diatom genera emphasized strong differences between the pipelines in which phylogenetic placement of sequences came closest to light microscopy‐based diatom identification. We conclude that diversity studies using different sequence processing strategies are comparable if the focus is on higher taxonomic levels, and if abundance thresholds are used to filter out OTUs of the rare biosphere.
Information Dissemination in Social Networks

Social networks are currently one of the most studied structures for information and knowledge exchange. These structures are very well described in terms of their static structure, this article attempts to propose the model of their dynamic behavior and the spread of information and knowledge in these networks. The heuristic event based model of the individual behavior in the network using the message passing will be presented. The main idea of the model is agentâs need for information and knowledge in specific situations. On that is based multiagent model of the social network used for information exchange, which has been practically implemented and will be presented as well as some of its simulation outputs for tasks testing the dynamics of social networks.
A greater number of dissected lymph nodes is associated with more favorable outcomes in bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis

The optimal extent of lymph node dissection (LND) is currently not established, and the debate regarding the association between the number of dissected nodes and the outcomes of bladder cancer treated by radical cystectomy (RC) is still ongoing. Therefore, the present meta-analysis was performed to clarify this potential relationship. Eligible studies were retrieved via an electronic search for studies published up to April 2016, and by manual review of the references. A total of 25 cohort studies involving 41,400 bladder cancer patients who underwent RC were included. The summary relative risk estimates (SRRE) based on the highest compared with the lowest categories of LND were estimated by variance-based meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among the study results was explored through stratified analyses. Overall, bladder cancer patients with the highest category of LND had 28%, 34% and 36% reduced risks, corresponding to overall survival (SRRE = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64–0.80), cancer-specific survival (SRRE = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.54–0.80) and recurrence-free survival (SRRE = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.50–0.82), respectively, compared with patients with the lowest category of LND. In summary, the patients with a greater number of dissected lymph nodes had statistically significant survival advantages in terms of the outcomes of bladder cancer following RC. The number of dissected lymph nodes could be an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer. These findings need to be validated in prospective and larger epidemiological studies with a longer follow-up period.
Ideological Responses to the EU Refugee Crisis

The 2016 European Union (EU) refugee crisis exposed a fundamental distinction in political attitudes between the political left and right. Previous findings suggest, however, that besides political orientation, ideological strength (i.e., political extremism) is also relevant to understand such distinctive attitudes. Our study reveals that the political right is more anxious, and the political left experiences more self-efficacy, about the refugee crisis. At the same time, the political extremes—at both sides of the spectrum—are more likely than moderates to believe that the solution to this societal problem is simple. Furthermore, both extremes experience more judgmental certainty about their domain-specific knowledge of the refugee crisis, independent of their actual knowledge. Finally, belief in simple solutions mediated the relationship between ideology and judgmental certainty, but only among political extremists. We conclude that both ideological orientation and strength matter to understand citizens’ reactions to the refugee crisis.
OsPK2 encodes a plastidic pyruvate kinase involved in rice endosperm starch synthesis, compound granule formation and grain filling

Summary Starch is the main form of energy storage in higher plants. Although several enzymes and regulators of starch biosynthesis have been defined, the complete molecular machinery remains largely unknown. Screening for irregularities in endosperm formation in rice represents valuable prospect for studying starch synthesis pathway. Here, we identified a novel rice white‐core endosperm and defective grain filling mutant, ospk2, which displays significantly lower grain weight, decreased starch content and alteration of starch physicochemical properties when compared to wild‐type grains. The normal starch compound granules were drastically reduced and more single granules filled the endosperm cells of ospk2. Meanwhile, the germination rate of ospk2 seeds after 1‐year storage was observably reduced compared with wild‐type. Map‐based cloning of OsPK2 indicated that it encodes a pyruvate kinase (PK, ATP: pyruvate 2‐O‐phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.40), which catalyses an irreversible step of glycolysis. OsPK2 has a constitutive expression in rice and its protein localizes in chloroplasts. Enzyme assay showed that the protein product from expressed OsPK2 and the crude protein extracted from tissues of wild‐type exhibits strong PK activity; however, the mutant presented reduced protein activity. OsPK2 (PKpα1) and three other putative rice plastidic isozymes, PKpα2, PKpβ1 and PKpβ2, can interact to form heteromer. Moreover, the mutation leads to multiple metabolic disorders. Altogether, these results denote new insights into the role of OsPK2 in plant seed development, especially in starch synthesis, compound granules formation and grain filling, which would be useful for genetic improvement of high yield and rice grain quality.
Contributors to Operating Room Underutilization and Implications for Hospital Administrators

Operating rooms (ORs) are an important source of hospital revenue, and utilization rate is a key determinant of OR efficiency. Multiple factors contribute to OR underutilization, and OR managers may have biased views about which factors contribute most to OR underutilization. We examined various factors leading to OR underutilization at one academic tertriary care center. Data were collected retrospectively from over a 12-month period. Contribution to OR underutilization was measured in terms of hours of OR underutilization. Statistical significance between categories and days was calculated using an unpaired t test. By comparing means of the various contributors to OR underutilization (patient in the room, turnover time, scheduling gaps, OR holds, closed rooms), we determined that mid/end-of-day gaps and closed rooms contributed the most hours (9.7% and 4.6%, respectively; P < .0001) to OR underutilization, whereas turnover time and “patient in the room” contributed the least (2.0% and 0.8%, respectively; P < .0001). The contributors to OR underutilization are complex, and many OR staff from physicians to nurses and OR administrators may have biased views about which factors contribute most predominantly to inefficiency. Awareness of how various factors contribute to OR underutilization can pave the way for goal-directed changes on a systems-based level to improve efficiency in the OR by decreasing underutilization.
Benchmarking Stream Clustering Algorithms within the MOA Framework

In today’s applications, massive, evolving data streams are ubiquitous. To gain useful information from this data, real time clustering analysis for streams is needed. A multitude of stream clustering algorithms were introduced. However, assessing the eectiveness of such an algorithm is challenging, because up to now there is no tool that allows a direct comparison of these algorithms. We present a novel clustering evaluation framework for data streams. It is an extension of Massive Online Analysis (MOA), a software environment for implementation and evaluation of algorithms for online learning from evolving data streams. Our stream clustering algorithm evaluation framework includes a collection of online clustering methods and oers tools for extensive evaluation and visualization. Moreover, it allows for bidirectional interaction with WEKA, since it uses the same internal data structures. Our framework is designed for extensibility, allowing straightforward adding of more algorithms, evaluation measures, and data feeds. It is released under the GNU GPL license.
Evaluation of heat stress and heat strain among employees working outdoors in an extremely hot environment

ABSTRACT A heat stress evaluation was conducted among employees engaged in strenuous work in an extremely hot outdoor environment. Environmental conditions that contribute to heat stress along with various physiological indicators of heat strain were monitored on a task-basis for nine employees daily across four workdays. Employees performed moderate to heavy tasks in elevated environmental conditions for longer periods of time than recommended by various heat stress exposure limits. Seven of nine employees showed evidence of excessive heat strain according to criteria yet all employees were able to self-regulate task duration and intensity to avoid heat-related illness.
Movement Kinematics of the Ipsilesional Upper Extremity in Persons With Moderate or Mild Stroke

Background. An increasing number of studies have indicated that the ipsilesional arm may be impaired after stroke. There is, however, a lack of knowledge whether ipsilesional deficits influence movement performance during purposeful daily tasks. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether, and to what extent, movement impairments are present while performing an ipsilesional upper extremity task during the first 3 months after stroke. Methods. Movement kinematics describing movement time, smoothness, velocity, strategy, and pattern were captured during a standardized drinking task in 40 persons with first-ever stroke and 20 controls. Kinematics were measured early and at 3 months poststroke, and sensorimotor impairment was assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment in stroke. Results. Half of the ipsilesional kinematics showed significant deficits early after stroke compared to controls, and the stroke severity had a significant impact on the kinematics. Movements of the ipsilesional arm were slower, less smooth, demonstrated prolonged relative time in deceleration, and increased arm abduction during drinking. Kinematics improved over time and reached a level comparable with controls at 3 months, except for angular velocity of the elbow and deceleration time in reaching for those with more severe motor impairment. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that movements of the ipsilesional arm, during a purposeful daily task, are impaired after stroke. These deficits are more prominent early after stroke and when the motor impairment is more severe. In clinical studies and praxis, the use of less-affected arm as a reference may underestimate the level of impairment and extent of recovery.
Real-time Low SNR Signal Processing for Nanoparticle Analysis with Deep Neural Networks

In this work, we improve several steps of our PLASMON ASSISTED MICROSCOPY OF NANO-SIZED OBJECTS (PAMONO) sensor data processing pipeline through application of deep neural networks. The PAMONObiosensor is a mobile nanoparticle sensor utilizing SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE (SPR) imaging for quantification and analysis of nanoparticles in liquid or air samples. Characteristics of PAMONO sensor data are spatiotemporal blob-like structures with very low SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO (SNR), which indicate particle bindings and can be automatically analyzed with image processing methods. We propose and evaluate deep neural network architectures for spatiotemporal detection, time-series analysis and classification. We compare them to traditional methods like frequency domain or polygon shape features classified by a Random Forest classifier. It is shown that the application of deep learning enables our data processing pipeline to automatically detect and quantify 80 nm polystyrene particles and pushes the limits in blob detection with very low SNRs below one. In addition, we present benchmarks and show that real-time processing is achievable on consumer level desktop GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNITs (GPUs).
New Materials and Performance Limits for Thermoelectric Cooling

34.4 Introduction Systematic Search Historical Review New Materials Phonon "Glasses" Desired Performance PGEC Relaxation of A,,. Assumption Band Gaps of Semiconductors Carrier Mobilities Background Explanation Electronegativities and Good Thermoelectric Semiconductors Dopant and Mixed-Crystal Effects on Mobilities Dopant Effects on the Weighted Mobility Mixed-Crystal Effects on Mobility Weighted Mobility Lattice Thermal Conductivity Phonon Scattering Mechanisms New Amin Crystals and New Thermoelectrics Conclusions From the Analysis Appendix: Calculation of ZT for PGEC References
Esophageal cancer: comparative effectiveness of treatment options

: Esophageal cancer is a lethal disease. Multimodal therapy has improved the survival and local control for locally advanced esophageal cancer compared to surgery alone. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) plus surgery is the accepted standard of care for operable esophageal cancer. Pathologic complete response is very common, ranging from 18% to 43%, and it is an independent favorable prognostic factor for survival. Salvage surgery after definitive CRT may be safe and feasible for patients with esophageal cancer who achieve pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant CRT. For inoperable cases, definitive CRT is an alternative treat-ment modality. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy may reduce treatment-related toxicities due to its better dose homogeneity and conformity compared to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Proton therapy can further improve target conformity and normal tissue sparing when compared to photon therapy (three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy) and, therefore, likely to further improve the treatment outcomes of patients. This article compares the effectiveness of the various treatment approaches in the definitive or neoadjuvant setting and reviews the evidence on the benefit of utilizing advanced radiation techniques for the curative management of esophageal cancer.
OpenACC-based GPU acceleration of an optical flow algorithm

Despite optical flow algorithms requiring a great amount of computational resources, they do show a high degree of data parallelism. Both features make this type of algorithms suitable candidates for having their performance improved on accelerators or Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). However, from a programmer's perspective, the use of accelerators entails a detailed knowledge of architecture as well as specific programming languages. The recent emergence of new programming paradigms, based on directives such as OpenMP and OpenACC mitigate this drawback because with a small percentage of source code modification a GPU executable version could be compiled. This paper addresses the fist OpenACC implementation of the well-known Lucas & Kanade algorithm. A successful tradeoff between coding effort (5-7% source lines hand-tuned) and speedup is observed, with speedups of upto 40× achieved.
Prenatal maternal psychosocial stress and offspring's asthma and allergic disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Prenatal maternal stress may influence offspring's atopic risk through sustained cortisol secretion resulting from activation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis (HPA), leading to Th2‐biased cell differentiation in the foetus. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis investigating the relationship between prenatal maternal psychosocial stress and risk of asthma and allergy in the offspring.
Impact of physical exercise in cancer survivors during and after antineoplastic treatments

Cancer patients experience symptoms and adverse effects of treatments that may last even after the end of treatments. Exercise is a safe, non-pharmacological and cost-effective therapy that can provide several health benefits in cancer patient and survivors, reducing cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. The purpose of this review is to describe how the physical exercise is capable to reduce cancer symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. We realized a pragmatic classification of symptoms, dividing them into physical, psychological and psycho-physical aspects. For each symptom we discuss causes, therapies, we analyse the effects of physical exercise and we summarize the most effective type of exercise to reduce the symptoms. This review also points out what are the difficulties that patients and survivors face during the practice of physical activity and provides some solutions to overcome these barriers. Related to each specific cancer, it emerges that type, frequency and intensity of physical exercise could be prescribed and supervised as a therapeutic program, like it occurs for the type, dose and duration of a drug treatment.