Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energetic Passivity Decoding of Human Hip Joint for Physical Human-Robot Interaction

The capacity of the biomechanics of human limbs to absorb energy during physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) can play an imperative role in controlling the performance of human-centered robotics systems. Using the concept of “excess of passivity,” we have recently designed passivity signature maps for elbow and wrist joints. We have also shown that this knowledge can be exploited and extrapolated during the interaction with a robotic system by transparency-maximized algorithms. A major application is in robotic rehabilitation systems and assistive technologies. Here, for the first time, the nonlinear energy capacitance of the hip joint and the affecting factors are decoded. This can be critical for maximizing the performance of wearable exoskeletons. Knowledge regarding energy absorption behavior can significantly help to reduce the conservatism of control algorithms. In this work, the energetic behavior is studied for three different hip angles, while perturbations were provided at three different interaction speeds. The results show that the increase in agonist and antagonist muscle contractions can consistently expand the margins of the passivity map. Additionally, by separating the effects of agonist and antagonist contractions, it was identified that the passivity margins have a correlation with the subject's posture during interaction with the robot and the correlation depends on the type of muscle contraction. A preliminary design of a stabilizer is also formulated that takes into account variable passivity behavior of the joint, in the energy domain, to enhance the performance while guaranteeing pHRI stability.
Trade-Offs with rehabilitation Effectiveness (REs) and Efficiency (REy) in a sample of Italian disabled persons in a in post-acuity rehabilitation unit.

BACKGROUND Intensive Rehabilitation Centres, known in Italy as "code 56", admit patients who need to recover from an acute episode. Different Rehabilitation Impact Indices have been proposed as composite rehabilitation outcomes measuring the rate of improvement due to a rehabilitation program. The most widely employed measure the performance of Activities of daily living in rehabilitation is the modified Barthel Index. The Barthel Index-based Rehabilitation Impact Indices are the Rehabilitation Effectiveness and the Rehabilitation Efficiency. AIM The aim of our study was to evaluate the trade-off between Rehabilitation Effectiveness tayand Rehabilitation Efficiency with respect to the Barthel Index admission score and the Length Of Stay, and their ideal ranges that optimized both indices. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated data of all patients admitted to intensive rehabilitation unit of the Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare San Raffaele Pisana of Rome, from January 2006 to March 2018. The primary outcome measures of our study were patient's Rehabilitation Effectiveness and Rehabilitation Efficiency during the hospital stay. RESULTS A database of 3,466 patients was analysed and the Rehabilitation Effectiveness and Rehabilitation Efficiency indexes were calculated. We calculated the median rank ratio of the Rehabilitation Effectiveness to the Rehabilitation Efficiency against Barthel Index scores. We calculated the median rank ratio of the Rehabilitation Effectiveness to Rehabilitation Efficiency against Barthel Index scores and days of stay. The median rank ratio of the Rehabilitation Effectiveness to the Rehabilitation Efficiency value were 1 in the range of Barthel Index scores from 32 to 42. The median rank ratio of the Rehabilitation Effectiveness to Rehabilitation Efficiency value were 1 for a Length of Stay corresponding to 33 days. CONCLUSIONS In our study we calculated the Trade-offs between Rehabilitation Effectiveness and Rehabilitation Efficiency with respect to admission Barthel Index Score and Length Of Stay in a population of 3,466 patients affected by orthopedic (1,707) and neurological (1,759) diseases. Every member of the healthcare team should be aware of such trade-offs when they make decisions about rehabilitation services.
Movement Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy after Stroke: The Role of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Stroke is increasingly becoming a global health problem. This is because it may lead to death, Long-term disability such as in motor function, and significant burden to the patients and their families. The disability can be prevented or rehabilitated using a physiotherapy technique known as constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). The CIMT comprises of task practice with the affected limb, constraint of the unaffected limb, and transfer package to foster compliance and increase the amount of task repetition. It helps to reestablish normal motor control through facilitating changes in physiological functions of the brain, improvement in real-world arm use, and movement precision and quality. However, its protocols vary. Some protocols use number of hours and others use number of repetitions to determine the intensity or the amount of task practice. This chapter argued that CIMT is effective, but the protocols that use a number of hours of task practice are not clear and are resource intensive; and as such they could interfere with the process of clinical decision making. Consequently, it proposed the use of a number of repetitions of task practice to determine the intensity or the amount of task practice and extending the application of CIMT to those with severe impairments after stroke.
Transmission errors and influence maximization in the voter model

In this paper we analyze the effects of mistakes in opinion propagation in the voter model on strategic influence maximization. We provide numerical results and analytical arguments to show that generally two regimes exist for optimal opinion control: a regime of low transmission errors in which influence maximizers should focus on hub nodes and a large-error regime in which influence maximizers should focus on low-degree nodes. We also develop a degree-based mean-field theory and apply it to random networks with bimodal degree distribution, finding that analytical results for the dependence of regimes on parameters qualitatively agree with numerical results for scale-free networks. We generally find that the regime of optimal hub control is the larger, the more heterogeneous the social network and the smaller the more resources both available to the influencers.
Use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf Devices for the Detection of Manual Gestures in Surgery: Systematic Literature Review

Background The increasingly pervasive presence of technology in the operating room raises the need to study the interaction between the surgeon and computer system. A new generation of tools known as commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices enabling touchless gesture–based human-computer interaction is currently being explored as a solution in surgical environments. Objective The aim of this systematic literature review was to provide an account of the state of the art of COTS devices in the detection of manual gestures in surgery and to identify their use as a simulation tool for motor skills teaching in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Methods For this systematic literature review, a search was conducted in PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE, ScienceDirect, Espacenet, OpenGrey, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers databases. Articles published between January 2000 and December 2017 on the use of COTS devices for gesture detection in surgical environments and in simulation for surgical skills learning in MIS were evaluated and selected. Results A total of 3180 studies were identified, 86 of which met the search selection criteria. Microsoft Kinect (Microsoft Corp) and the Leap Motion Controller (Leap Motion Inc) were the most widely used COTS devices. The most common intervention was image manipulation in surgical and interventional radiology environments, followed by interaction with virtual reality environments for educational or interventional purposes. The possibility of using this technology to develop portable low-cost simulators for skills learning in MIS was also examined. As most of the articles identified in this systematic review were proof-of-concept or prototype user testing and feasibility testing studies, we concluded that the field was still in the exploratory phase in areas requiring touchless manipulation within environments and settings that must adhere to asepsis and antisepsis protocols, such as angiography suites and operating rooms. Conclusions COTS devices applied to hand and instrument gesture–based interfaces in the field of simulation for skills learning and training in MIS could open up a promising field to achieve ubiquitous training and presurgical warm up.
Intestinal migration in the life-cycle of Pseudodiplorchis americanus (Monogenea)

SUMMARY Adults of Pseudodiplorchis americanus occur in the host's urinary bladder, the typical habitat of polystomatid monogeneans in amphibians. However, larvae which invade the respiratory tract via the nostrils then migrate to the bladder through the stomach and intestine, a route which is without precedent amongst monogeneans. Parasite transmission is correlated with the spawning of the desert toad Scaphiopus couchii (June/July in Arizona, USA) and the gut migration, which takes as little as 5 min, occurs after 26 days post-infection (p.i.). Migration occurs during the host's feeding season, and therefore the parasites normally encounter maximum digestive activity along their path. Worms transferred experimentally from respiratory tract to the digestive fluids in the gut are killed within 60 s. However, natural migration is stimulated by an unidentified host factor which triggers protective adaptations, enabling parasite survival for up to 4 h in these lethal conditions. Without this essential stimulus, migration may be delayed for over 1 year and juveniles remaining in the respiratory tract undergo no development beyond that reached at 4 weeks p.i. Rapid reproductive development is resumed immediately after migration, leading to maturation around 1 month later and progressive accumulation of embryos in utero in preparation for transmission during the next summer's rains.
EFFECTS OF SALINE WATER ON WATER STATUS, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF WILD (SOLANUM CHILENSE) AND DOMESTICATED (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM VAR. CERASIFORME) TOMATOES

SUMMARY Farmers around the world are concerned about the effects of human-induced salinity on crop yield and quality. Therefore, researchers are actively testing wild relatives of cultivated plants to identify candidates to improve crop performance under salt stress. A study was conducted to understand the effects of salt stress (Sodium chloride, NaCl) on cultivated tomato species (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme L.) and a wild tomato relative (Solanum chilense Dun.) from the Northern part of Chile. Plants were cultivated hydroponically under controlled environmental conditions for 112 days with nutrient solution containing 0 mM (3 dS m−1), 40 mM (6 dS m−1) and 80-mM (9 dS m−1) NaCl. Salt stress reduced the shoot biomass in S. lycopersicum but not in S. chilense. Both species were able to maintain the leaf water content; however, the cultivated S. lycopersicum showed osmotic adjustment, while S. chilense did not. Salt stress reduced the total fruit yield in S. lycopersicum based on a decrease in the mean fruit weight, but it had no impact on the number of fruits per plant. In contrast, salt stress had no significant impact on the fruit yield in S. chilense. Salt stress increased the total soluble solids content in S. lycopersicum and the titratable acidity in S. chilense. It was concluded that S. chilense displays a contrasting behaviour in response to prolonged exposure to moderate salinity compared with S. lycopersicum, and that this related species could be an interesting plant for breeding purposes.
Biocontrol and Plant Pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum-Induced Changes in Phenolic Compounds in Tomato Leaves and Roots

The biocontrol fungus Fusarium oxysporum strain CS-20 was previously shown to reduce the incidence of Fusarium wilt of tomato through an uncharacterized host-mediated response. As phenolic compounds are involved in the defence response of tomato to pathogens and other stressors, this work was undertaken to determine whether biocontrol strains induced changes in phenolic compounds in leaves and roots of tomato seedlings in the presence and absence of pathogenic F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Roots of intact tomato seedlings were placed in water or aqueous fungal spore suspensions. Two biocontrol F. oxysporum strains [CS-20 (host-mediated mechanism) and 85SK-1 (control mechanism unknown)] and two plant pathogenic strains of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Race 1 were used. After 24 or 72 h exposure, phenolic compounds were extracted from leaves and roots before identification by HPLC. There were significant qualitative and quantitative differences between the two sampling times. Compared with the control treatment, strain CS-20 significantly altered (usually increasing) the ferulic, caffeic and vanillic acid contents, and concentrations once unidentified phenolic compounds recovered from leaves and roots. In another experiment, tomato seedlings growing in sterile sand were drenched with spores of strain CS-20 the day before treating them with varying concentrations of spores of the pathogen for 24 or 72 h. The amount of pathogen present did not significantly affect the plant phenolic response to the presence of strain CS-20. This work demonstrates that tomato responds within 24 h to the presence of the biocontrol strain CS-20 by alterations in secondary metabolism that are typical of resistance responses in tomato.
A study on comparison of potential anthelmintic activity between papaya seeds and papaya latex on hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats

The purpose of this study is to compare the potential anthelmintic activity between papaya seeds and papaya latex on Hymenolepis diminuta in rats.The objectives of this study are to determine the effectiveness of papaya seeds and papaya latex on helminths especially Hymenolepis diminuta in rats, to determine the effective dose level on helminths in rats, and to compare the anthelmintic activity between the papaya seeds and papaya latex. To conduct this study, 36 male rats from strain Sprague-Dawley were used. Two dose levels were used for papaya seeds treatment which are 0.6 g kgâ�»Â¹ and 1.2 g kgâ�»Â¹. For papaya latex treatment, the doses are 4 g kgâ�»Â¹ and 8 g kgâ�»Â¹, The geometric mean (GEM) were used to calculate mean for eggs per gram (EPG) before and after the treatment to be included in the reduction percentage calculation. After 21 days post treatment, necropsy were done to get the worm count and the GEM of it were used to calculate the efficacy percentage for both papaya seeds and papaya latex treatment. Results from this study shows that the reduction percentage in EPG for papaya seeds treatment for both doses level are very high which is 96.8% for 0.6g kgâ�»Â¹ dose level and 96.2% for 1.2 g kgâ�»Â¹ dose level. Whereas the eficacy percentage based on the worm counts for both doses level also very high that is 90.8% for 0.6 g kgâ�»Â¹ dose level and 93.9% for 1.2 g kgâ�»Â¹, Differently from the papaya latex treatment that give only an acceptable results for the reduction percentage in EPG that is 72.8% with the efficacy percentage of 53.9% for 4 g kgâ�»Â¹ dose level and reduction percentage of 86.2% with eficacy percentage of 73.9% for 8 g kgâ�»Â¹ dose level.
Reproductive dynamics and colony structure of subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes (Isoptera Rhinotermitidae): a review of the evidence from behavioral, ecological, and genetic studies

(1) In subterranean termites of the genus Reticulitermes, colonies are difficult to delineate because physical nest structures are concealed or amorphous, and colony boundaries are difficult to define. The ambiguity of colony architecture and the cryptic nesting and feeding habits of these ecologically and economically important termites hinder our understanding of their population biology. We review and synthesize current information on Reticulitermes life history, reproduction, and genetics to develop an understanding of colony and population structure, and possible modes of reproductive organization. (2) To infer colony structure, we simulate several breeding systems that might be found in Reticulitermes and determine the F statistics and relatedness coefficients expected for groups of workers drawn from the simulated populations. Available field data on the distribution of worker genotypes within and among colonies are then used to distinguish between alternate hypotheses regarding population and bree.
Analyse descriptive du profil des patients de plus de 75 ans admis en Court Séjour Gériatrique porteurs d'une néoplasie

Introduction : la population francaise vieillit et le cancer devient une pathologie du sujet âge. Le diagnostic tardif conduit a une diminution du taux de survie et a un moins bon pronostic. L’enjeu actuel est de favoriser le diagnostic precoce du cancer dans cette population permettant une amelioration de la qualite de vie, de la survie et des couts en Sante Publique. Methodes : une revue retrospective des dossiers a ete menee aupres de 108 patients de 75 ans et plus, hospitalises pendant une periode de 30 mois dans une unite de Court Sejour Geriatrique, afin de decrire leurs profils. Des evaluations geriatriques standardisees ont ete utilisees pour evaluer les donnees suivantes : comorbidite, dependance, medicaments, etat nutritionnel, deficits neurosensoriels, cognition, humeur et mobilite. Les donnees demographiques et medicales ont ete relevees en examinant les dossiers medicaux des patients. Resultats : les patients âges cancereux ont une prevalence elevee d’incapacite fonctionnelle, de mobilite reduite, de denutrition, de troubles cognitifs, de polymedication et de depression ce qui necessite une prise en charge et des soins specifiques. Les patients a qui un diagnostic de cancer a ete pose pendant le sejour avaient ete admis pour AEG, etaient plus isoles et avaient plus d’incapacite fonctionnelle. La repartition par type de cancer retrouvait une frequence elevee de cancers hormonodependants chez les hommes (prostate) et paradoxalement une frequence majoritaire de cancers digestifs et notamment du pancreas chez les femmes sans argument explicatif. Conclusion : les patients hospitalises atteints d'un cancer dans un service de Court Sejour Geriatrique presentent de nombreux problemes geriatriques, des symptomes non specifiques et une maladie avancee. Le Medecin Generaliste, de part son role pivot joue un role primordial dans la selection des patients âges pour le depistage individuel du cancer.
The Epoch Effect on Cognitive Function Requires Regular Updating of Cognitive Screening Tests.

BACKGROUND Over time, improved cognitive abilities in elderly individuals lead to an overall increase in performance on widely used cognitive screening tests (e.g., Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) and impact screening efficacy. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine the epoch effect on cognitive function measured using MMSE, in addition to the influence of demographic characteristics on MMSE. We also evaluated the ability of the MMSE in detecting dementia and examined the discrimination ability and measurement precision of the MMSE. METHODS In a cross-sectional survey, Chinese veterans aged ≥60 years were interviewed. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to explore the factors affecting the MMSE. The expected MMSE score was calculated to examine the epoch effect. The diagnostic accuracy of the MMSE was determined via receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Item response theory methods were implemented using Stata 16.0. RESULTS The MMSE score increased with higher education and decreased with advancing age. The observed MMSE score in this study (26.9) was higher than the expected MMSE score (24.9). It demonstrated 78.3% /84.1% /89.9% sensitivity and 85.8% /79.5% /66.8% specificity in detecting dementia using the cut-off score 25/26/27. The MMSE showed reduced discrimination and provided little information for ability level of -1 and above. CONCLUSION Improved cognitive ability over time may increase the performance on cognitive screening tests (e.g., MMSE). This impact of epoch in cognitive function emphasizes the importance of regularly updating cognitive screening tests.
Effects of taxonomic and numeric resolution on the ability to detect ecological patterns at a local scale using stream macroinvertebrates

With 3 figures and 3 tables Abstract: The increasing demand for methods of rapid stream bioassessment has stim- ulated the evaluation of data simplification. In particular, these studies have assessed how much power is lost when species/morphospecies identification is replaced by family identifications or use of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) taxa only. A second simplifying factor commonly evaluated is the use of presence/absence data instead of density. These simplifications have provided valid results in most cases where differences among groups are large, particularly in studies comparing impacted vs. non-impacted stream sites and ecological studies involving large spatial scales. Here I evaluate whether data simplification, both in terms of taxonomic (families, mor- phospecies of EPT) and numeric (presence/absence) resolutions, is valid for ecological studies done at local scales, where differences among groups are subtle. Datasets used are derived from a five-year study of five stream sites situated in a catchment in south- east Brazil. Streams were sampled twice a year, in the rainy (summer) and dry (winter) seasons. I used Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) to evaluate if differences i) among stream sites and ii) between seasons within a stream site, revealed by using the full data set (morphospecies, quantitative data), were also detected when using the sim- plified datasets. The effect of taxonomic resolution was not significant; the two sim- plified levels of this factor (morphospecies of EPT, families) were able to recover the same groups revealed by the full dataset. However, the use of presence/absence data had a strong negative effect on the ability to distinguish groups, particularly when dif- ferences were small (between seasons within a stream site). The success in recovering groups using simplified taxonomic data agrees with previous evaluations done using datasets from applied fields and those from ecological studies involving large spatial scales. However, in contrast to results observed in applied and large-scale studies, use of simplified data quantification in local datasets resulted in significant loss of infor-