Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gesture recognition with a Time-Of-Flight camera

This paper presents a new approach for gesture classification using x- and y- projections of the image and optional depth features. The system uses a 3D Time-Of-Flight (TOF) sensor which has the big advantage of simplifying hand segmentation. For the presented system, a Photonic-Mixer-Device (PMD) camera with a resolution of 160 × 120 pixels and a frame rate of 15 frames per second is used. The goal of our system is to recognise 12 different static hand gestures. The x- and y- projections and the depth features of the captured image are good enough to use a simple nearest neighbour classifier, resulting in a fast classification. To evaluate the system, a set of 408 images is recorded, 12 gestures from 34 persons. With a 'Leave-One-Out' evaluation, the recognition rate of the system is 94.61% and the classification time is about 30 msec on a standard PC.
Fractura de fémur asociado al consumo de bifosfonatos

Los bifosfonatos son farmacos ampliamente utilizados para mejorar la densidad mineral osea y prevenir la perdida osea. A pesar de la eficacia a corto plazo, la seguridad de la terapia a largo plazo es debatida. Estos farmacos pueden tener efectos perjudiciales sobre la fisiologia del hueso, dado que suprimen el recambio oseo. Se presenta un caso clinico de una paciente de 73 anos que presento fractura de femur bilateral atipica de mecanismo patologico asociado al consumo prolongado de bifosfonatos en el que se describen sintomas y signos radiologicos tipicos. Se realizo tratamiento quirurgico con enclavijado endomedular tipo Kuntscher, con muy buena evolucion clinico-radiologico a un ano de seguimiento. La posibilidad de fractura inminente en pacientes consumidores de bifosfonatos por tiempos prolongados con dolor previo en el muslo debe poner en alerta al medico tratante y obliga a la busqueda de signos radiologicos caracteristicos. Es posible en esos casos plantear la fijacion profilactica. En conclusion se trata de un caso poco frecuente de fractura patologica de femur asociada al uso de bifosfonatos con buena evolucion luego de tratamiento quirurgico.
Secondary solid cancers in patients of Hodgkin’s lymphoma -

Objective: In this article, we will discuss secondary solid cancers identified in patients diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), with the 1996-2008 data of Antalya Cancer Recording Center which gathers population-based data in accordance with the cancer recording standards of World Health Organization’s International Cancer Research Agency. Material and Methods: The study included patients that were histopathologically diagnosed with HL from 1996 to 2008. The patients without histopathological diagnosis were not included in the assessment. Results: The study covered 320 patients, including 188 (58.8%) males and 132 (41.3%) females. Nine out of 320 patients (2.8%) had developed secondary solid tumors. The most commonly identified tumors were seen in nasopharynx (2 cases) and larynx (1 case), followed by lung and breast with 2 cases for each. Conclusion: Although HL can be cured, treatment-related complications prevail. Secondary tumor development, which is one of the complications in such patients, should be carefully monitored.
Stochastic epidemic models for emerging diseases incorporating household structure and contact tracing

In this thesis, three stochastic epidemic models for intervention for emerging diseases are considered. The models are variants of real-time, responsive intervention, based upon observing diagnosed cases and targeting intervention towards individuals they have infected or are likely to have infected, be they housemates or named contacts. These models are: (i) a local tracing model for a disease spreading amongst a community of households, wherein intervention (vaccination and/or isolation) is directed towards housemates of diagnosed individuals, (ii) a contact tracing model for a disease spreading amongst a homogeneously-mixing population, with isolation of traced contacts of a diagnosed individual, (iii) a local tracing and contact tracing model for a disease spreading amongst a community of households, with intervention directed towards housemates of both diagnosed and traced individuals. These are quantified by deriving threshold parameters that determine whether the disease will infect a few individuals or a sizeable proportion of the population, as well as probabilities for such events occurring.
The clinical features of PML

The symptoms associated with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) reflect the location of pathologic brain lesions. These symptoms include visual deficits, cognitive impairment, and motor weakness; in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), presenting signs can also include gait disturbance, dysarthria, dysphasia, and ocular palsy. Recently, PML has been observed in patients treated with biologic agents; natalizumab recipients currently represent the second largest group of patients with PML (behind patients with AIDS). Although brain biopsy is the most accurate and reliable method for diagnosing PML, it is rarely used today. Diagnosis is usually based on detection of JC virus in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction, the clinical presentation, and demonstration of PML brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging. With immune reconstitution, the prognosis of PML has improved markedly.
Resolution of Peanut Allergy: Case-Control Study

1. Hourihane J, 2. Roberts S, 3. Warner J (1998) Br Med J. 316:1271–1275. [OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] #### Purpose of the Study To determine whether there are any differences between children who remain mildly or moderately allergic to peanut and children with similar histories but a negative reaction on challenge with peanut. ##### Study Population One hundred fifty-five children from Southampton and 75 children from south Manchester referred to the regional pediatric allergy clinic for evaluation of suspected peanut allergy between April 1995 and December 1996. ##### Methods Children were determined allergic to peanuts with a constellation of typical symptoms 3 years before presentation. Patients were selected for challenges according to the clinical needs in each case. Some were because of negative skin tests despite convincing histories. Those with positive skin tests were … [1]: {openurl}? query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft.stitle%253DBMJ%26rft.issn%253D0007-1447%26rft.aulast%253DHourihane%26rft.auinit1%253DJ. %2BO%2527B%26rft.volume%253D316%26rft.issue%253D7140%26rft.spage%253D1271%26rft.epage%253D1275%26rft.atitle%253DResolution%2Bof%2Bpeanut%2Ballergy%253A%2Bcase-control%2Bstudy%2B%2595%2BScience%2Bcommentary%253A%2BWhy%2Bdo%2Bsome%2Bchildren%2Bgrow%2Bout%2Bof%2Bpeanut%2Ballergy%253F%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F9554896%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink? linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=316/7140/1271&atom=%2Fpediatrics%2F104%2FSupplement_2%2F364.2. atom
Topography and presence of a smear layer in deciduous molars prepared with high-speed cutting and ultrasonic abrasion: an in-vitro study

Abstract Objective. The aim of this in-vitro study was to compare the effect of high-speed cutting (HS) with ultrasonic abrasion (US) concerning the internal topography and the presence of a smear layer in a cavity preparation performed in healthy deciduous molars. Material and methods. Seven first deciduous molars were used. Two occlusal cavity preparation were done, one in the medial fossula and another in the distal fossula, which were chosen randomly. One preparation was carried out with a diamond point adapted to the HS system (GI), while a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) point adapted to a US device (GII) was used for the other preparation. Subsequently, all samples (n = 14) were cleaved to observe the inside and then prepared for evaluation using scanning electron photomicroscopy. The internal topography of the prepared cavities was descriptively analyzed. In order to assess the presence of a smear layer, scores were tabulated using the 2000 GMC program and analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test. Results. Concerning the internal topography, the presence of striae was verified in both groups. In the GI group they were finer, found in a greater number, and with narrower spaces between them. In the GII group, the striae were undulating, similar to the effect of wheels on sand, and with wider spaces between them. As regards the presence of a smear layer, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions. In view of the methodology employed, it may be concluded that cavity preparation with a CVD point in a US abrasion system led to the formation of fewer striae and both devices promoted the marked presence of a smear layer, obstructing dentinal tubuli.
Propositions de commentaires interprétatifs pour les bilans biologiques thyroïdiens

In the field of thyroid disease, a number of governmental organisms or professional associations have published practice guidelines containing laboratory-related recommendations, eg the Haute autorite de la sante (HAS), or the American Thyroid Association (ATA). Among the physicians who prescribe thyroid function tests, all have not read and memorized all these recommendations. In order to help them to better integrate these recommendations in their practice, we have composed a thesaurus of ready-made interpretative comments, trying to adapt our proposed comments to each possible combination of results of TSH and/or free T4 and/or free T3. The laboratorians who would prefer to use only the comments based strictly on the recommendations of HAS and/or ATA, will be able to select among our comments what is really validated by these two organizations. In addition, our work aims at enabling the patients who want it, to benefit from written information, which may be complementary to the more often spoken information provided by the clinicians.
Medication Safety In Children

Objective Monitoring the safety of medicine use in children is of superlative prominence, on the other hand only limited data on this aspect. In-between 1979 and 2006, the poisoning death rate cut in half, declining from 0.35 to 0.17 per 100,000 children. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to evaluate the medication safety in children’s.Methods A prospective observationalstudy was conducted in thePICU, NICU, IP and OP department of Paediatricsat Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences overa 6-months period(fromaugust 2012 toJanuary 2013). The Institutional Ethics and Research Committee of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa (Rc.No.413/Acad./2011-12), approved the study. All patients under 12 year of age were included in the study. Patients referred from another health facility or hospital to collect their medications from the pharmacy of the respective health clinics were excluded from the study. All documented medication orders monitored for any drug misadventures and recommended to the pediatricians.Results Drug misadventures include medication errors 588 (84%), ADEs 27 (3.8%), ADRs 33 (4.8%) and drug interactions 52 (7.4%). Conclusion Prescriber’s workload, lack of sufficient knowledge and time spent with one patient are restrains that lead to most of the mistakes. Recognition of these errors is the first step in their prevention. There is a crucial need to develop methods to reduce medication errors in children should be the major priority. It can be concluded that drug misadventures are common in children.
Planning and clinical strategy in direct composite restorations

Patients are seeking increasingly the expertise of dental surgeons for esthetic dental improvement. The dental surgeons should know the restorative materials and techniques in order to optimize the clinical practice and to obtain satisfactory results. Also the dentist should know the average heights and widths of the anterior teeth to detect the esthetic disharmony and to eliminate it for reproducing the correct dental anatomy. Thus, this study aimed to describe a clinical case report of direct restoration using the palatal barrier technique.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein associated with different health predictors in middle-aged and oldest old Chinese.

OBJECTIVE To describe the distribution of plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and explore the relationship between hsCRP and metabolic risk factors among residents living in longevity areas of China. METHODS 268 individuals aged between 40 and 59 years and 506 individuals aged over 90 years were selected from 5 longevity areas of China to participate in a cross section longitudinal cohort study. The participants were interviewed with general health related questionnaire to collect their demographic, behavioral and lifestyle data, as well as their chronic conditions, and meanwhile their physical and biomedical parameters including waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), hsCRP, plasma lipids, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. RESULTS The median of hsCRP was 0.99 mg/L in the middle-aged group and 1.76 mg/L in the oldest old group. No significant gender difference was observed between the above two groups. Among the oldest old individuals, 36.56% had an hsCRP level >3.0 mg/L. The prevalence of high hsCRP was 16.79% in the middle-aged group. The results of stepwise multiple linear regression analyses showed that HDL-C was independently associated with ln (hsCRP) concentration in the middle-aged group, whereas ln (TG), HDL-C and FBG were correlated after adjustment for gender, study site, smoking, drinking, education and BMI in the oldest old group. CONCLUSION HDL-C is a stronger predictor of elevated hsCRP than other metabolic factors in the middle-aged population. For the oldest old persons, high TG, low HDL-C, and FBG predict elevated plasma hsCRP.
A Review of Medical Errors in Laboratory Diagnostics and Where We Are Today

While many areas of health care are still struggling with the issue of patient safety, laboratory diagnostics has always been a forerunner in pursuing this issue. Significant progress has been made since the release of “To Err is Human. ” 1 This article briefly reviews laboratory quality assessment and looks at recent statistics concerning laboratory errors.
Assessment of the physical activity, body mass index and energy intake of HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected women in Mangaung, Free State province

Background: Declining levels of physical activity at workplaces, during leisure time and when travelling, accompanied by increasing exposure to the mass media, are major determinants of the global obesity epidemic. This study aimed to assess physical activity, the body mass index (BMI) and energy intake of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected and HIV-infected black women in Mangaung. Method: A random sample of 500 black women was selected in Mangaung. Physical activity levels, dietary intake and BMI were determined in younger and older women, aged 25–34 and 35–44 years, respectively. Results: Of the 488 women who qualified for participation, 61% of the younger women and 38% of the older women were HIV-infected. Low physical activity levels were reported in most women, and more than 50% were overweight or obese. The BMI of HIV-infected younger women with low physical activity levels (24.9 kg/m2) was significantly lower than that of the HIV-uninfected younger women (27.2 kg/m2) (p-value 0.02). The energy intake of older HIV-infected women with low physical activity levels was significantly lower (10 090 kJ) than that of the older HIV-infected women in the normal to high physical activity category (14 519 kJ) (p-value 0.03). Conclusion: A more active lifestyle and energy-reduced diet that focuses on food quality could partially address BMI parameters in HIV-uninfected women. Safeguarding a lean BMI in HIV-infected women, by increasing physical activity levels while maintaining current energy intake, with an emphasis on healthy eating practices, could support quality of life.
A learning algorithm for feature weighting in case-based reasoning

Case-based reasoning (CBR) is a methodology for problem-solving and decision making in complex business environment. This methodology is based on the reasoning of earlier experiences to solve new problems. Among well-known methods for case retrieval, K-nearest neighbour (K-NN) is more widely used. But since it is highly sensitive to input features, irrelevant features may cause an increase in the prediction error. In this research, a learning algorithm is developed by applying performance feedback to assign weight setting. The main idea behind the algorithm is to recognise cases which are incorrectly selected as nearest neighbours due to ineffective feature weighting assignment, and attempts to iteratively modify feature weights. This approach is applied to provide suggestions for better decision making and managing strategies of products in the middle of life phase. The dataset of a department store, including various products, have been used. K-fold approach is used to evaluate the prediction accuracy rate. Empirical results are compared with artificial neural network, classical CBR, CBR-GA algorithms. The results indicate that the predictive performance of the model, compare with two CBR-based algorithms, in specific case is more effective.
Alcohol and the burden of disease

World Health Organization (WHO) lists alcohol consumption as a leading risk to health, contributing 4% to the global burden of disease. This serves as justification for far-reaching preventive interventions. The purpose of this article is to recapitulate in narrative some of the assumptions upon which WHO conclusions rest and to interpret their validity accordingly. First, it may be misleading to include ‘alcohol use’ as a risk to health. As alcohol use has beneficial, protective as well as harmful properties, burden assessment should be based on harmful aspects only, e.g., ‘hazardous patterns of alcohol use’. Second, assessments of interventions aimed at reducing risks from alcohol use to disease burden should also consider such interventions’ impact on dimensions other than health or disease–in particular, psychosocial benefits of alcohol consumption. Third, the uncertainties associated with both the database and methodology for estimating the disease burden attributable to alcohol are high and need to be considered in the interpretation of findings.
The integration and assessment of students' artefacts created with diverse Web 2.0 applications

This paper focuses on the creation of students' artefacts with various Web 2.0 tools (e.g., those for online creation of mind maps, block-diagrams, slideshow presentations, online comic strips, surveys, etc.). When numerous artefacts are created by the students using those tools the problem regarding the organisation and presentation of their artefacts for peer-to-peer learning arises. In our paper, we present several solutions for organisation and presentation of students' artefacts with the use of the features of the LMS Moodle, as well as with the use of a wiki (MediaWiki), blog (WordPress), e-portfolio (Mahara), and community network (Ning). Our evaluation of those tools is also presented together with several examples of their use.
Effect of light curing protocol on degree of conversion of composites

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC) of two light-cured composites with different protocols of light curing. Materials and methods. One hundred and ninety two specimens (n = 8) were prepared (5 mm × 2 mm) according to experimental groups: two composite resins (Filtek Supreme and four seasons); three light curing protocols [20 s with the tip of the light curing unit (LCU) device touching composite surface (C); 20 s with the tip of the LCU at 8 mm distant from composite surface (D); and tip of the LCU at 8 mm distant from composite surface and polymerization time required to obtain a radiant exposure of 16 J/cm2 (DS)]. Four LCUs (Bluephase 16i, Ultralume LED 5, XL 3000 and Optilux 501C) were used. DC of the bottom and top surface of specimens were measured using a FTIR spectrometer. Data were statistically analyzed by 3-way split splot ANOVA and Tukey’s test (alpha = 0.05). Results. The results showed that DC of the top surface was higher than the bottom at all experimental conditions (p < 0.0001). Overall, the curing at 8 mm of distance did not affect conversion rate on the top surface (p > 0.05), but bottom surfaces showed DC reduction (p < 0.05). The highest monomer conversion values were observed for C and DS situations. Conclusion. The distance between the LCU and material surface and radiant exposure can affect the DC. Polymerization at distance should be performed with curing units with higher light power and/or extended exposure time.
European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens

Background: Delefilcon A daily disposable water gradient contact lenses (CLs; DAILIES TOTAL1 ® ) have radically different properties at the lens surface when compared with the core, resulting in high oxygen transmissibility with a lubricious surface. Purpose: To assess the real-world success of delefilcon A daily disposable CLs using a European survey, and to determine whether a successful experience changes eye care professionals’ (ECPs) CL preference or anticipated recommendation patterns. Methods: Current soft CL wearers, aged $ 18 years, were eligible for participation. Baseline demographics and 2-week data were obtained by ECPs after fitting $ 5 to # 10 participants with delefilcon A CLs. Results: Twenty-four ECPs from 16 European countries assessed the use of delefilcon A CLs in 280 participants. Nearly two-thirds (62.9%; number [n] = 176) of the participants reported dryness and/or discomfort with their habitual CLs. There was a 78.9% reduction in the proportion of participants with end-of-day dryness after 2 weeks of using delefilcon A CLs ( P , 0.0001). More participants agreed that they could wear their CLs comfortably all day long with delefilcon A CLs (93.2%; n = 261) versus habitual CLs (58.2%; n = 163; P , 0.0001). There was a strong preference for delefilcon A CLs when compared with habitual lenses worn, with 81.8% of participants agreeing with the statement “I prefer these lenses to my previous contact lenses. ” Delefilcon A CLs were also highly rated by ECPs following their experience with fitting the lens. All (100%) ECPs agreed or strongly agreed that the perceived comfort with delefilcon A CLs is better than that with other daily disposable lenses and that they would recommend these lenses to colleagues. Conclusion: The results indicate that delefilcon A daily disposable water gradient CLs may offer wearers greater comfort than their habitual CLs.
Morphometric analysis of hard palate in south Indian skulls

In the present study 40 dry skulls from the Kasturba Medical College Manipal were examined to obtain the morphometric data of the hard palate. Mean palatal length, breadth and height for the total sample was 49.13mm, 4.04mm, and 0.8mm respectively. The contributions from the premaxilla for the hard palate being 9.4mm and palatine process 39.76mm. The palatine index showed that 40% of the skulls had wide (brachystaphyline),37.5% narrow (leptostaphyline), and 22.5% intermediate (mesostaphyline) palates. The greater palatine foramen was found to be at the level of third molar in 75%, in between second and third molars in 22.5%,and at the level of second molar in 2.5%. The distance from greater palatine foramen to middle maxillary suture was about 14mm.In majority of the skulls (62.5%) only one lesser palatine foramen was found and about 30% of the skulls had two lesser palatine foramina and 7.5% of skulls had 3 lesser palatine foramina. These data will be helpful in comparing these skulls to those from various regions as well as comparing the skulls of different races.