Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Haptic Images: A Survey on Touchscreen-Based Surface Haptics

The development of tactile screens opens new perspectives for co-located images and haptic rendering, leading to the concept of “haptic images. ” They emerge from the combination of image data, rendering hardware, and haptic perception. This enables one to perceive haptic feedback while manually exploring an image. This raises nevertheless two scientific challenges, which serve as thematic axes for the state of the art of this survey. Firstly, the choice of appropriate haptic data raises a number of issues about human perception, measurements, modeling and distribution. Secondly, the choice of appropriate rendering technology implies a difficult trade-off between expressiveness and usability.
Systematic review of contraceptive medicines: "Does choice make a difference?" Final report.

A systematic review of the literature was conducted for evidence on whether a policy of providing a wide range of contraceptive methods as opposed to the provision of a limited range improves health outcomes such as contraceptive uptake acceptability adherence continuation and satisfaction; reduction of unintended pregnancy; and improved maternal health and wellbeing. Studies of all designs reviews reports policy documents commentaries opinion papers and position papers were included in a search of MEDLINE (via Pubmed Ovid MEDLINE and Old Ovid MEDLINE) All EBM Reviews POPLINE EMBASE Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) LILACS and Psyc Info. A total of 6977 citations were identified. Of these 3586 were duplicates leaving 3391 titles/abstracts for screening. After more sensitive review by three authors (AG JS NM) 231 citations were included in the review. Two authors (AG JS) independently extracted data from full reports or papers of all included studies. In a few instances the full text could not be accessed and the study was assessed on the abstract only. Not unsurprisingly this systematic review has failed to find large quantities of high quality evidence that increasing choice has a direct impact on the contraceptive outcomes of interest. The best evidence retrieved is summarised in Table 1. (excerpt)
The experience of endotracheal intubation in Middle East respiratory syndrome patients -A case report-

direct confirmation of success of endotracheal intubation as compared to DL. In addition, we found that portable end-tidal CO 2 -monitoring devices may facilitate more precise and reliable confirmation of successful intubation. (Anesth Pain Med 2017; 12: 191-194)
Brain-Computer Interface-Based Soft Robotic Glove Rehabilitation for Stroke

Objective: This randomized controlled feasibility study investigates the ability for clinical application of the Brain-Computer Interface-based Soft Robotic Glove (BCI-SRG) incorporating activities of daily living (ADL)-oriented tasks for stroke rehabilitation. Methods: Eleven recruited chronic stroke patients were randomized into BCI-SRG or Soft Robotic Glove (SRG) group. Each group underwent 120-minute intervention per session comprising 30-minute standard arm therapy and 90-minute experimental therapy (BCI-SRG or SRG). To perform ADL tasks, BCI-SRG group used motor imagery-BCI and SRG, while SRG group used SRG without motor imagery-BCI. Both groups received 18 sessions of intervention over 6 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) scores were measured at baseline (week 0), post- intervention (week 6), and follow-ups (week 12 and 24). In total, 10/11 patients completed the study with 5 in each group and 1 dropped out. Results: Though there were no significant intergroup differences for FMA and ARAT during 6-week intervention, the improvement of FMA and ARAT seemed to sustain beyond 6-week intervention for BCI-SRG group, as compared with SRG control. Incidentally, all BCI-SRG subjects reported a sense of vivid movement of the stroke-impaired upper limb and 3/5 had this phenomenon persisting beyond intervention while none of SRG did. Conclusion: BCI-SRG suggested probable trends of sustained functional improvements with peculiar kinesthetic experience outlasting active intervention in chronic stroke despite the dire need for large-scale investigations to verify statistical significance. Significance: Addition of BCI to soft robotic training for ADL-oriented stroke rehabilitation holds promise for sustained improvements as well as elicited perception of motor movements.
A Cross Sectional Study of Newly Qualified Doctors’ Knowledge on Pain Management in South Western Nigeria

Background: Pain is the leading cause of disability. Several studies have implicated lack of adequate knowledge of health care professionals on pain management as a major factor to poor pain control. Aim: This study investigated the knowledge of newly qualified doctors on pain management. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso and Bowen University Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso between April 2015 and October 2016. Methodology: The study enrolled newly qualified doctors who were appointed for the post of internship training. Relevant data were obtained though questionnaires from the participants within two weeks of resumption. Results: A total of 129 respondents were enrolled. The mean age of the respondent was 26.9 (± 3.8) years. Majority 106 (82.2%) of the respondents believed that analgesia should be avoided in neonate. One hundred and twenty six (97.7%) of the respondents believed that analgesia should be withheld in acute abdomen until definitive diagnosis is made. 0ne hundred and seventeen (90.7%) respondents believed that opiod analgesia are better avoided in patients with chronic pain such as cancer pain, so as to avoid risk of addiction. However, only seven (5.4%) respondents claimed to have seen cases of opiod addiction. One hundred and twenty one (93.8%) of the respondents were unable to differentiate between tolerance and physical dependence from psychological and behavioural dependence, The entire respondents would deny or withdraw opiod analgesia in patients with hypothetical clinical scenario of physical dependency. Seventy- two (55.8%) of the respondents would combine narcotics with narcotics antagonist. Only nineteen (14.7%) of the respondents had previous lecture on pain management. Conclusion: Our study revealed deficit of knowledge of newly qualified doctors on pain management. We thus recommend that the stake holders that are involved in medical students training and postgraduate residency training should take into cognisance this aspect of patients’ care.
Conversion to psychosis in adolescents and adults: similar proportions, different predictors

Abstract Background Age effects may be important for improving models for the prediction of conversion to psychosis for individuals in the clinical high risk (CHR) state. This study aimed to explore whether adolescent CHR individuals (ages 9–17 years) differ significantly from adult CHR individuals (ages 18–45 years) in terms of conversion rates and predictors. Method Consecutive CHR individuals (N = 517) were assessed for demographic and clinical characteristics and followed up for 3 years. Individuals with CHR were classified as adolescent (n = 244) or adult (n = 273) groups. Age-specific prediction models of psychosis were generated separately using Cox regression. Results Similar conversion rates were found between age groups; 52 out of 216 (24.1%) adolescent CHR individuals and 55 out of 219 (25.1%) CHR adults converted to psychosis. The conversion outcome was best predicted by negative symptoms compared to other clinical variables in CHR adolescents (χ2 = 7.410, p = 0.006). In contrast, positive symptoms better predicted conversion in CHR adults (χ2 = 6.585, p = 0.01). Conclusions Adolescent and adult CHR individuals may require a different approach to early identification and prediction. These results can inform the development of more precise prediction models based on age-specific approaches.
The Warburg Micro Syndrome‐associated Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module promotes autolysosome maturation through the Vps34 Complex I

Warburg micro syndrome (WMS) is a hereditary autosomal neuromuscular disorder in humans caused by mutations in Rab18, Rab3GAP1, or Rab3GAP2 genes. Rab3GAP1/2 forms a heterodimeric complex, which acts as a guanosine nucleotide exchange factor and activates Rab18. Although the genetic causes of WMS are known, it is still unclear whether loss of the Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module affects neuronal or muscle cell physiology or both, and how. In this work, we characterize a Rab3GAP2 mutant Drosophila line to establish a novel animal model for WMS. Similarly to symptoms of WMS, loss of Rab3GAP2 leads to highly decreased motility in Drosophila that becomes more serious with age. We demonstrate that these mutant flies are defective for autophagic degradation in multiple tissues including fat cells and muscles. Loss of Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module members leads to perturbed autolysosome morphology due to destabilization of Rab7‐positive autophagosomal and late endosomal compartments and perturbation of lysosomal biosynthetic transport. Importantly, overexpression of UVRAG or loss of Atg14, two alternative subunits of the Vps34/PI3K (vacuole protein sorting 34/phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase) complexes in fat cells, mimics the autophagic phenotype of Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module loss. We find that GTP‐bound Rab18 binds to Atg6/Beclin1, a permanent subunit of Vps34 complexes. Finally, we show that Rab3GAP2 and Rab18 are present on autophagosomal and autolysosomal membranes and colocalize with Vps34 Complex I subunits. Our data suggest that the Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module regulates autolysosomal maturation through its interaction with the Vps34 Complex I, and perturbed autophagy due to loss of the Rab3GAP‐Rab18 module may contribute to the development of WMS.
Value of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a diagnostic and predictive biomarker in sarcoidosis

ABSTRACT Background Differentiating between interstitial lung diseases (ILD) is challenging. Serum soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) is used as a diagnostic marker in sarcoidosis, but its diagnostic value has not yet been studied in other ILDs like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) or Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). Also, the prognostic value of sIL-2R in sarcoidosis remains unknown. Methods This retrospective cohort study included 121 patients with sarcoidosis, 35 with cHP, 62 with IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and 70 healthy controls. Serum sIL-2R levels were determined at diagnosis. Follow-up data were available for patients with chronic sarcoidosis (n = 64) and patients with non-chronic sarcoidosis (n = 29). Results Patients with sarcoidosis had higher sIL-2R levels (median 5418 pg/mL) than patients with cHP (median 4015 pg/mL, P = 0.002) and IPF (median 4192 pg/mL, P = 0.034). No differences were found between patients with cHP and IPF. Logistic regression revealed that sIL-2R at diagnosis is a significant predictor of the development of chronic sarcoidosis (OR = 2.1, P = 0.032). Conclusion High levels of sIL-2R are suggestive of sarcoidosis, although a broad overlap exists in sIL-2R levels across sarcoidosis, cHP, and IPF. High levels of sIL-2R might serve as a prognostic biomarker for chronicity.
A Novel Soft Robotic Supernumerary Hand for Severely Affected Stroke Patients

Upper limb functions are severely affected in 23% of the chronic stroke patients, compromising their life quality. To re-enable hand use, providing a degree of functionality and motivating against learned non-use, we propose a robotic supernumerary limb, the SoftHand X (SHX), consisting of a robotic hand, a gravity support system, and different sensors to detect the patient’s intent for controlling the robotic hand. In this paper, this novel compensational approach is introduced and experimentally evaluated in stroke patients, assessing its efficacy, usability and safety. Ten patients were asked to perform tasks of a modified Action Research Arm Test with the SHX, by using three input methods. The mARAT scores rated the potentiality of the system. Usability was evaluated with the System Usability Scale, while spasticity before and after use was measured by the modified Ashworth Scale (mAS). Nine patients, not able to perform any tasks without external support, completed the whole experimental procedure using the proposed system with a median score greater than 12/30. Among the three input methods tested, the usability of one was rated as “good” while the other two were rated as “ok”. Seven patients exhibited a reduction of the mAS. All nine patients stated that they would use the system frequently. Results obtained suggest that the SHX has the potential to partially compensate severely impaired hand function in stroke patients.
Screening antagonistic yeasts against citrus green mold and the possible biocontrol mechanisms of Pichia galeiformis (BAF03).

BACKGROUND Penicillium digitatum is one of the most important pathogens causing citrus green mold, leading to significant economic losses. Traditionally, synthetic fungicides are used to control diseases. However, the side effects of fungicides should not be ignored. Thus, antagonistic yeasts were proposed to be safe and effective alternatives to manage diseases. Orchards are excellent sources of naturally occurring antagonists against pathogens. Therefore, antagonistic yeasts obtained from orchards were screened, and the possible biocontrol mechanisms of the most promising yeast were investigated. RESULTS Seventy-eight isolates of yeasts (15 species of 10 genera) were obtained from citrus orchards. In in vitro assays, 16 strains showed antifungal activity against P. digitatum and 15 strains showed biocontrol potential against green mold on Olinda oranges. Pichia galeiformis (BAF03) exhibited the best antagonistic activity against P. digitatum during 6 days storage at 25 °C and a good antagonistic activity during 29 days at 4 °C. P. galeiformis (BAF03) could colonize and amplify quickly in wounded citrus. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the citrus wound was colonised by the yeast. A total of 8 VOCs were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by P. galeiformis (BAF03) efficiently inhibited P. digitatum. CONCLUSION P. galeiformis (BAF03) isolated from a citrus orchard showed potential to control postharvest green mold of citrus. The possible mechanisms of action likely include competition for space and nutrients as well as production of VOCs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
From winter to summer and back: lessons from the parameterisation of a seasonal food web model for the Bialowieza forest.

Dynamic food web models describe how species abundances change over time as a function of trophic and life-history parameters. They are essential to predicting the response of ecosystems to perturbations. However, they are notoriously difficult to parameterise, so that most models rely heavily either on allometric scaling of parameters or inverse estimation of biomass flows. The allometric approach makes species of comparable body mass have near-identical parameters which can generate extinctions within a trophic level. The biomass flow approach is more precise, but is restricted to steady-states, which is not appropriate for time-varying environments. Adequately parameterising large food webs of temperate and arctic environments requires to deal both with many species of similar sizes and a strongly seasonal environment. Inspired by the rich empirical knowledge on the vertebrate food web of the Bialowieza forest, we parameterize a bipartite food web model comprising 21 predators and 124 prey species. Our model is a non-autonomous coupled ODE system that allows for seasonality in life-history and predation parameters. Birth and death rates, seasonal descriptions of diet for each species, food requirements and biomass information are combined into a seasonal parameterisation of a dynamic food web model. Food web seasonality is implemented with time-varying intrinsic growth rate and interaction parameters, while predation is modelled with both type I and type II functional responses. All our model variants allow for >80 % persistence in spite of massive apparent competition, and a quantitative match to observed (seasonal) biomasses. We also identify trade-offs between maximising persistence, reproducing observed biomasses, and ensuring model robustness to sampling errors. Although multi-annual cycles are expected with type II functional responses, they are here prevented by a strong predator self-regulation. We discuss these results and possible improvements of the model. We provide a general workflow to parameterise dynamic food web models in seasonal environments, based on a real case study. This may help to better predict how biodiverse food webs respond to changing environments.
Investigation of Serum TNF-alpha, TRAF-1, andTRAF-2 in Patients Suffer from Ulcerative Colitis

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown causes. It has involved the inflammatory process of the mucosa and sometimes the submucosa of the large intestinal tract. There are a several theories involve role of the immune mechanisms and cell signals that lead to activation of many intracellular adapter proteins and other markers, which in turn trigger an inflammatory process and death of many colonocytes. Objective: investigation of serum TNF-alpha, TRAF-1 and TRAF-2 levels in active Ulcerative Colitis and also, identified the diagnostic possibility of the studied parameters in diagnosis of UC patients. Methodology: A case-control study was conducted at the City of Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf using 56 and 30 individuals of both genders for Patients and Control groups with an overall age range of 18-75 years old. All sera with negative Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) agglutination test of all subjects were monitored for level of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF), TNF Receptor Associated Factor-1 (TRAF-1), and TNF Receptor Associated Factor-2 (TRAF-2), by ELISA Method. All these Data was analyzed by using spss (T-test) program and also, the receiver operate characteristic curve (ROC) was used to identify their possibility of diagnostic value. Results: Serum level of TNF-alpha, TRAF-1 and TRAF-2 were significantly higher in UC patients than those in controls (P values were = 0.000). TNF-alpha, TRAF-1, and TRAF-2 shown to have a display to fabulous value in the differentiation of UC patients and control with the area under the ROC curve (AUR) of 0. 698â€“1.000 (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: In light of the obtained results in current study, we conclude that the serological levels of TNF-alpha, TRAF-1 and TRAF-2 were increased in active UC patients. It seems that the activation of TNF-alpha, TRAF-1, and TRAF-2 may be first events in the development of UC. Recommendation: Additional genetic and immunological markers, including standardized lymphocytes and other assays, are needed. These are to determine the pro-inflammatory cytokines and monitor the progress of the disease in order to detect the suitable time of a possible intervention.
Multiple recombinant events in human T-cell Leukemia virus Type 1: complete sequences of recombinant African strains

ABSTRACT Africa is the largest endemic area for HTLV-1, with many molecular genotypes. We previously demonstrated that some strains from North Africa (a-NA clade) originated from a recombinant event between Senegalese and West African strains. A series of 52 new HTLV-1 strains from 13 North and West African countries were sequenced in the LTR region and/or a env gene fragment. Four samples from French Guyanese of African origin were also added. Furthermore, 7 complete sequences from different genotypes were characterized. Phylogenetic analyses showed that most of the new African strains belong to the Cosmopolitan a-genotype. Ten new strains from the a-NA clade were found in Morocco, Western Sahara, Mali, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. A new a-G-Rec clade, which arose from a distinct recombination event between Senegalese and West African strains, was identified in Guinea and Ghana. The complete sequences suggest that recombination occur in the LTR as well as the env/pol region of the genome, thus a-NA and a-G-Rec strains have a mosaic profile with genetic segments from either a-WA or a-Sen strains. Our work demonstrates that recombination in HTLV-1 may not be as rare an event as previously proposed.
BI-RADS classification in breast tomosynthesis. Our experience in breast cancer cases categorized as BI-RADS 0 in digital mammography

Poster: "ECR 2017 / C-0562 / BI-RADS classification in breast tomosynthesis. Our experience in breast cancer cases categorized as BI-RADS 0 in digital mammography " by: " P. M. Aguilar Angulo 1, C. ROMERO CASTELLANO1, M. Sanchez Casado 1, M. D. P. Sanchez-Camacho1, V. J. A. Martinez Vizcaino2; 1Toledo/ES, 2Cuenca/ES"
The Performance of Quality Metrics in Assessing Error-Concealed Video Quality

In highly-interactive video streaming applications such as video conferencing, tele-presence, or tele-operation, retransmission is typically not used, due to the tight deadline of the application. In such cases, the lost or erroneous data must be concealed. While various error concealment techniques exist, there is no defined rule to compare their perceived quality. In this paper, the performance of 16 existing image and video quality metrics (PSNR, SSIM, VQM, etc.) evaluating error-concealed video quality is studied. The encoded video is subjected to packet loss and the loss is concealed using various error concealment techniques. We show that the subjective quality of the video cannot be necessarily predicted from the visual quality of the error-concealed frame alone. We then apply the metrics to the error-concealed images/videos and evaluate their success in predicting the scores reported by human subjects. The error-concealed videos are judged by image quality metrics applied on the lossy frame, or by video quality metrics applied on the video clip containing that lossy frame; this way, the impact of error propagation is also considered by the objective metrics. The measurement and comparison of the results show that, mostly though not always, measuring the objective quality of the video is a better way to judge the error concealment performance. Moreover, our experiments show that when the objective quality metrics are used for the assessment of the performance of an error concealment technique, they do not behave as they would for general quality assessment. In fact, some newly developed metrics show the correct decision only about 60% of the time, leading to an unacceptable error rate of as much as 40%. Our analysis shows which specific quality metrics are relatively more suitable for error-concealed videos.