Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of cardiorespiratory and strength exercises on disease activity in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the effects of cardiorespiratory and strength exercises on disease activity for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs). Design A systematic review with meta-analysis registered at PROSPERO (CRD42015020004). Participants Patients with IRDs. Data sources The databases MEDLINE, AMED, Embase and CINAHL were searched from inception up to April 2016. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Trials were included if they were randomised controlled trials of adults with IRDs, comparing the effect of cardiorespiratory and strength exercises with usual care on disease activity and followed the American College of Sports Medicine's exercise recommendations. The primary outcome was disease activity in terms of inflammation, joint damage and symptoms. Data synthesis Data were pooled in a random-effect model for all outcomes, and standardised mean differences (SMDs) were calculated. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Results Twenty-six trials with a total of 1286 participants were included. There was high to moderate quality evidence, for a small beneficial effect on disease activity scores (0.19 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.33), p<0.01) and joint damage (SMD 0.27 (95% CI 0.07 to 0.46), p<0.01). Furthermore, moderate quality evidence for a small beneficial effect on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SMD 0.20 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.39), p=0.04) and for no effect on C reactive protein (SMD −0.14 (95% CI −0.37 to 0.08), p=0.21). Beneficial effects were also seen for symptoms. Conclusions The results of this review suggest beneficial effects of exercises on inflammation, joint damage and symptoms in patients with IRDs.
Empowering Social Knowledge with Information Technology: Technological and Cultural Issues Convergence

Knowledge is embedded in people gathered in communities and networks and all knowledge is broadly socially mediated and access to knowledge is by connecting to people that know. Thus, the knowing is an act of participation and is more living process than solely acquisition of an object. Lasting knowledge denotes knowing more than definitions, concepts and relationships. It is sometimes feeling what is right in particular situation requiring personal engagement, passion and a community to emerge. Knowledge is also presented as the act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; ABSTRACT
Whole-grain foods and chronic disease: evidence from epidemiological and intervention studies

Cereal-based foods are key components of the diet and they dominate most food-based dietary recommendations in order to achieve targets for intake of carbohydrate, protein and dietary fibre. Processing (milling) of grains to produce refined grain products removes key nutrients and phytochemicals from the flour and although in some countries nutrients may be replaced with mandatory fortification, overall this refinement reduces their potential nutritional quality. There is increasing evidence from both observational and intervention studies that increased intake of less-refined, whole-grain (WG) foods has positive health benefits. The highest WG consumers are consistently shown to have lower risk of developing CVD, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. WG consumers may also have better digestive health and are likely to have lower BMI and gain less weight over time. The bulk of the evidence for the benefits of WG comes from observational studies, but evidence of benefit in intervention studies and potential mechanisms of action is increasing. Overall this evidence supports the promotion of WG foods over refined grain foods in the diet, but this would require adoption of standard definitions of ‘whole grain’ and ‘whole-grain foods’ which will enable innovation by food manufacturers, provide clarity for the consumer and encourage the implementation of food-based dietary recommendations and public health strategies.
Switching losses analysis in sic power mosfet

In this paper methodologies for analysis of power switching losses in SiC MOSFETs are evaluated by means of PSpice simulations. Besides, an optimized piecewise linear method to calculate those losses is proposed. Results and discussions are presented as an aid for assessing the performance of power electronics converters based on SiC MOSFETs.
Secular decline in male testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin serum levels in Danish population surveys.

CONTEXT Adverse secular trends in male reproductive health have been reported to be reflected in increased testicular cancer risk and decreased semen quality in more recently born men. These secular trends may also be reflected by changes in Leydig cell function. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine whether an age-independent time trend in male serum testosterone levels exists. DESIGN AND SETTING Testosterone and SHBG were analyzed in 5350 male serum samples from four large Danish population surveys conducted in 1982-1983, 1986-1987, 1991-1992, and 1999-2001. Free testosterone levels were calculated. The effects of age, year of birth, and time period on hormone levels were estimated in a general linear statistical model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Testosterone, SHBG, and calculated free testosterone levels in Danish men in relation to age, study period, and year of birth were measured. RESULTS Serum testosterone levels decreased and SHBG levels increased with increasing age. In addition to this expected age effect, significant secular trends in testosterone and SHBG serum levels were observed in age-matched men with lower levels in the more recently born/studied men. No significant age-independent effect was observed for free testosterone. Adjustment for a concurrent secular increase in body mass index reduced the observed cohort/period-related changes in testosterone, which no longer were significant. The observed cohort/period-related changes in SHBG levels remained significant after adjustment for body mass index. CONCLUSIONS The observed age-independent changes in SHBG and testosterone may be explained by an initial change in SHBG levels, which subsequently lead to adjustment of testosterone at a lower level to sustain free testosterone levels.
Simulink Based Multi Variable Solar Panel Modeling

Solar Energy, the most abundant and widely used Renewable Energy is not only reliable, scalable but serves solution to global warming around the world. This energy is used for electricity generation using Photovoltaics (PV) converting Solar Energy into electricity. Photovoltaics (PV) play significant role for future Distributed and Renewable Energy Generation Systems (DG). This study is an effort to visualize simulation tool for solar cell array under rapidly changing solar radiation and temperature by inserting a test signal in the control input. The main objective is to find the parameters of the nonlinear I-V and P-V equation by locating the curve at three points: short circuit current, open circuit voltage and maximum power. Future Smart Grids can be optimized if computerized and designed using mathematical modeling and simulation system at STC. Case study relative to factors including weather and seasonal variations is tested through SIMULINK model. Predicted changes are configured for determination of MPP. The proposed model is based on variations by changing absorption of light with physical inspections for data corresponding to low and high temperatures. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i8. 6071
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Report From the German–Austrian–Swiss Consensus Conference on Clinical Practice in Chronic GVHD

Purpose: Ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is one of the most frequent long-term complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is often associated with significant morbidity and reduced quality of life. Methods: The German/Austrian/Swiss Consensus Conference on Clinical Practice in cGVHD aimed to summarize the currently available evidence for diagnosis and (topical) treatment and to summarize different treatment modalities of ocular cGVHD. The presented consensus was based on a review of published evidence and a survey on the current clinical practice including transplant centers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Results: Ocular cGVHD often affects the lacrimal glands, the conjunctiva, the lids (including meibomian glands), and the cornea but can also involve other parts of the eye such as the sclera. Up to now, there have been no pathognomonic diagnostic features identified. The main therapeutic aim in the management of ocular cGVHD is the treatment of inflammation and dryness to relieve patients' symptoms and to maintain ocular integrity and function. Therapy should be chosen in the context of the patient's overall condition, systemic immunosuppressive therapy, symptoms, ocular surface integrity, and inflammatory activity. The consensus conference proposed new grading criteria and diagnostic recommendations for general monitoring of patients with graft-versus-host-disease for use in clinical practice. Conclusion: The evidence levels for diagnosis and treatment of ocular cGVHD are low, and most of the treatment options are based on empirical knowledge. Topical immunosuppression, for example, with cyclosporine, represents a promising strategy to reduce inflammation and dryness in ocular cGVHD. Further clinical trials are necessary to elucidate risk factors for eye manifestation, complications, and visual loss and to evaluate staging criteria and diagnostic and therapeutic measures for ocular cGVHD.
‘What is to be Done?’ CMS as a Political Party

Abstract Purpose To consider the differences between Critical Management Studies (CMS) and political party politics. Design/methodology/approach Reading Lenin and Hitler, as well as CMS. Findings That they aren’t very similar, and can’t be, unless CMS becomes a disciplined movement. Practical implications That academics are not good at getting things done, and perhaps we shouldn’t really be expecting that they should be. What they do outside the academic context is another matter. Originality/value That is for others to judge.
Influence of HIV and other risk factors on tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) notification in South Africa has increased six-fold over the past two decades, mainly because of the HIV epidemic. OBJECTIVES To describe the sociodemographic and outcome characteristics of TB patients, and to identify risk factors associated with TB treatment outcomes stratified by HIV status. METHODS A cross-sectional study was used to analyse data from the Cape Town Metro East geographical service area (GSA) electronic TB register (ETR.Net), including adult patients aged ≥15 years who initiated TB treatment between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012. RESULTS TB case notification in the GSA was 922 per 100 000 population. Of the 12 672 TB patients registered, 50.5% were co-infected with HIV. The death rate in co-infected patients was 5.4% v. 2.8% in HIV-negative patients, the rate of treatment success 66.6% v. 73.5%, and the rate of unfavourable treatment outcome 28.1% v. 23.7%. The Khayelitsha subdistrict had the highest proportion of TB burden (37.0%) and co-infection (47.6%). Fourteen percent of patients had extrapulmonary TB, 65.9% of whom were co-infected with HIV. In the multivariate analysis, HIV infection (relative risk (RR) 1.2), retreatment (RR 1.4) and sputum smear microscopy not done (RR 1.4) were significantly associated with unfavourable treatment outcome. The Eastern (RR 0.9) and Northern (RR 0.7) subdistricts were less likely to have unfavourable outcomes compared with Khayelitsha. In the stratified analysis, retreatment and smear not done were significant risk factors for an unfavourable treatment outcome in both co-infected and HIV-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS The burdens of both TB and co-infection were high in this community, although HIV prevalence varied. Mortality was higher and treatment completion lower in co-infected patients than in those who were HIV-negative. Co-infection, previous TB treatment and smear not done were significant risk factors for an unfavourable outcome in all patients.
A Review on Ultrasound-Based Thyroid Cancer Tissue Characterization and Automated Classification

In this paper, we review the different studies that developed Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) for automated classification of thyroid cancer into benign and malignant types. Specifically, we discuss the different types of features that are used to study and analyze the differences between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. These features can be broadly categorized into (a) the sonographic features from the ultrasound images, and (b) the non-clinical features extracted from the ultrasound images using statistical and data mining techniques. We also present a brief description of the commonly used classifiers in ultrasound based CAD systems. We then review the studies that used features based on the ultrasound images for thyroid nodule classification and highlight the limitations of such studies. We also discuss and review the techniques used in studies that used the non-clinical features for thyroid nodule classification and report the classification accuracies obtained in these studies.
Comparative analysis of local and consensus quantitative structure-activity relationship approaches for the prediction of bioconcentration factor

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) are broadly classified as global or local, depending on their molecular constitution. Global models use large and diverse training sets covering a wide range of chemical space. Local models focus on smaller structurally or chemically similar subsets that are conventionally selected by human experts or alternatively using clustering analysis. The current study focuses on the comparative analysis of different clustering algorithms (expectation-maximization, K-means and hierarchical) for seven different descriptor sets as structural characteristics and two rule-based approaches to select subsets for designing local QSAR models. A total of 111 local QSAR models are developed for predicting bioconcentration factor. Predictions from local models were compared with corresponding predictions from the global model. The comparison of coefficients of determination (r 2) and standard deviations for local models with similar subsets from the global model show improved prediction quality in 97% of cases. The descriptor content of derived QSARs is discussed and analyzed. Local QSAR models were further consolidated within the framework of consensus approach. All different consensus approaches increased performance over the global and local models. The consensus approach reduced the number of strongly deviating predictions by evening out prediction errors, which were produced by some local QSARs.
Joint injury causes knee osteoarthritis in young adults

Purpose of reviewThis review presents recent data on joint injury as the cause of osteoarthritis development in young adults and proposes and discusses a model that highlights how joint injury and other risk factors may contribute to osteoarthritis development through two different pathways: joint-related mechanisms and deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system. Recent findingsKnee osteoarthritis in young adults is common after knee injury. In women who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in soccer, 51% (mean age 31) had radiographic changes after 12 years. Men, 41% (mean age 36) had osteoarthritis after 14 years. An injury to the menisci during middle age resulting in a horizontal tear is more probably the first signal of an already ongoing osteoarthritis process of the knee. Known risk factors seem to contribute to osteoarthritis through pathways related to (1) mechanical aspects of the joint and (2) the musculoskeletal system. SummaryOsteoarthritis in young adults is most commonly a result of a previous injury to the knee. Deconditioning of the musculoskeletal system is seen with joint injury, obesity, and aging, all known risk factors for osteoarthritis. Muscular deconditioning contributes to increased joint loads and knee osteoarthritis development and progression. So far, it is unclear whether surgery reduces the development or progression of osteoarthritis. The risk for osteoarthritis development seems to increase as the amount of meniscal tissue removed increases. Knee injury prevention, rehabilitation after knee injuries, regular exercise, maintaining body weight, and a changed locomotion pattern may prevent osteoarthritis initiation and progression in young adults.
Markers of inflammation and cognitive decline in an African‐Caribbean population

Inflammatory processes may play an important role in cognitive decline and dementia. We investigated the prospective association between levels of three markers of inflammation, plasma interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and cognitive decline in an African‐Caribbean community population.
Implementation of the blit debugger

joff is an asynchronous, source‐level, break‐and‐examine debugger for C programs running on the Blit, a programmable bitmap terminal, joff is implemented as two processes: a small process running in the terminal and a larger process running in a time‐sharing host. The constraints on its design and a menu‐driven user interface combine to present an unusual set of implementation difficulties. The way the problems were tackled and the degree to which they were solved may be interesting to those designing other debuggers. Operating system designers should assess the merits of a debugger that runs asynchronously with its subject and consider providing the necessary support.
Airway management of recovered pediatric patients with severe head and neck burns: a review

There are approximately 10 000 pediatric burn survivors in the United States each year, many of whom will present for reconstructive surgery after severe burns in the head and neck ( 1 ). These recovered burn victims, who are beyond the acute phase of injury, often have significant scarring and contractures in the face, mouth, nares, neck, and chest, which can make airway management challenging and potentially lead to a ‘cannot intubate, cannot ventilate’ scenario ( 2 ). Although numerous cases have been presented in the literature on this topic ( 3–17 ), there are no comprehensive review articles on the unique challenges of airway management in the recovered pediatric burn patient with distorted airway anatomy. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of airway management in such patients, focusing on challenges encountered during mask ventilation and tracheal intubation, as well as the role of surgical release of neck contractures to facilitate tracheal intubation. Lessons learned from all reported cases identified in a thorough literature search are incorporated into this review.
Complications Associated With Internal Fixation of High-Energy Bicondylar Tibial Plateau Fractures Utilizing a Two-Incision Technique

Objectives: Single incision open reduction and double plate fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures has been associated with high wound complication rates. Minimally invasive methods have been recommended to decrease the wound complication rates as compared with open techniques. Additionally, laterally applied fixed-angle devices appear to minimize late varus deformity without the need for additional medial stabilization. Accurate reduction of comminuted lateral and/or medial articular surfaces, however, often requires visualization through an open reduction. This study reports the complications, infection rate, and radiographic assessment of reduction associated with double plating complex AO/OTA 41-C3 tibial plateau fractures utilizing 2 incisions. Design: Retrospective clinical review. Setting: Urban level 1 university trauma center. Patients: Over a 77-month period, 83 patients were treated for a complex bicondylar tibial plateau fracture at our institution utilizing a 2-incision technique. Intervention: Dual plating using anterolateral and posteromedial incisions. Main Outcome Measure: Type and incidence of septic and non-septic complications and radiographic assessment of articular reduction and axial alignment. Results: Eleven fractures were open (13.3%) and classified according to Gustilo as type II (1 patient), type III-A (7 patients), type III-B (2 patients), and type III-C (1 patient). Compartment syndrome was diagnosed and treated with fasciotomies in 12 patients (14.5%). The average time interval from injury to definitive surgical treatment was 9 days. Seven patients developed deep wound infections (8.4%). Three of these had an associated septic arthritis (3.6%). Clinical resolution of infection occurred after an average of 3.3 additional procedures. The presence of a dysvascular limb requiring vascular reconstruction was statistically associated with a deep wound infection (P = 0.006). Secondary procedures for complications included 13 patients who required removal of implants secondary to local discomfort, 5 patients who required a knee manipulation, 2 patients that were managed with excision of heterotopic ossification to improve knee motion, 1 patient that required an equinus contracture release, and 1 patient treated for a metadiaphyseal nonunion. Sixteen patients (19.3%) incurred deep venous thromboses. No patient was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Sixty-two percent of patients demonstrated satisfactory articular reductions, 91% demonstrated satisfactory coronal alignment, 72% demonstrated satisfactory sagittal alignment, and 98% demonstrated satisfactory condylar width. Conclusions: Comminuted bicondylar tibial plateau fractures can be successfully treated with open reduction and medial and lateral plate fixation using 2 incisions. Dysvascular limbs requiring vascular repair are at increased risk for deep sepsis. The use of 2 incisions, temporary spanning external fixation, and proper soft-tissue handling may contribute to a lower wound complication rate than previously reported.
Exploration of Superior Modality: Safety and Efficacy of Hypofractioned Image-Guided Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in Patients with Unresectable but Confined Intrahepatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractioned image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT) for unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma in comparison with conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Methods Ninety patients with unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma without distant metastasis and tumor thrombosis received external beam radiation therapy. Of these patients, 45 received IG-IMRT and 45 received 3D-CRT. The IG-IMRT design delivered a median total hypofractionated dose of 54 Gy (2.2–5.5 Gy/fx), and 3D-CRT delivered a median total dose of 54 Gy with a conventional fraction (2.0 Gy/fx). The clinical response, overall survival, and side effects were analyzed. Results The IG-IMRT group showed significantly higher 1-year survival (93.3 versus 77.8%) and 2-year survival (73.3 versus 51.1%) and longer median survival (44.7 versus 24.0 months) than the 3D-CRT group. Multivariate analysis indicated that the patients with intrahepatic tumors smaller than 8 cm, prior TACE before RT, and IG-IMRT would have a survival benefit. There were no significant differences in the rates of side effects between the two groups. Conclusion Hypofractioned IG-IMRT could improve the therapeutic response and confer a potential survival of patients with unresectable but confined intrahepatic hepatocellular carcinoma compared to 3D-CRT with acceptable toxicity.