Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors in northern Benin: A cross-sectional study

Background Balance impairment is the predominant risk factor for falls in stroke survivors. A fear of falling after stroke can contribute to sedentary lifestyles, increased disability and risk of recurrence, leading to poor quality of life. Objective To determine the frequency and factors associated with balance impairments amongst stroke survivors at the University Hospital of Parakou. Method This cross-sectional study included adult stroke survivors. Stroke survivors after discharge were enrolled at the University Hospital of Parakou between 01 January 2020 and 30 September 2020. Balance impairments were measured by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Get Up and Go (GUG) tests. Results A total of 54 stroke survivors were included, with a mean age of 58.37 ± 12.42 years and a male predominance of 68.52%. The mean BBS score was 36.87 ± 14.34 with a minimum and a maximum of 10 and 56, respectively. Thirteen (24.07%) had balance impairments (BBS score ≤ 20), 34 (62.96%) had a TUG score ≥ 14 s (abnormal), 9 (16.67%) presented a moderate risk of falling and 6 (11.11%) presented high risk of fall with the GUG test. Post-stroke duration (odds ratio [OR] = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.04–0.30; p < 0.01), severity of disability (OR = 8.33; 95% CI: 1.03–67.14; p = 0.03) and the number of physiotherapy sessions (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.03–0.93; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with balance impairments. Conclusion Our results showed that almost one quarter of stroke survivors after discharge at the University Hospital of Parakou had balance impairments. Post-stroke duration, severity of disability and the number of physiotherapy sessions were significantly associated with balance impairments. Clinical implications [AQ1] Balance should be regularly assessed in people post-stroke. Further studies should document the content of rehabilitation and any rehabilitative efforts to improve balance in people post-stroke in Benin.
A Fog-and-Tube Scrubber for the Removal of Diesel Particulate Matter from Engine Exhaust

Diesel particulate matter (DPM), the solid portion of diesel exhaust, has been linked to a range of deleterious health impacts. While a number of control strategies have been effective at reducing DPM in some environments, exposure risks are still high in others such as underground mines. In prior work, a novel scrubber treatment that used fog to remove DPM from engine exhaust was successfully prototyped in bench-scale laboratory experiments. Here, for the first time, the treatment concept was scaled up and field tested in a stone mine. An exhaust blower was used to pull fog, diesel exhaust, and mine air through a 30.5-meter long tube, enabling coagulation of DPM and fog drops resulting in their subsequent removal. Excluding one of the eleven tests, which appeared to be an outlier, the results showed that this fog-and-tube scrubber removed an average of 63% of particles (11.5–154 nm) as compared to 18% in the control case (without fog), yielding an average improvement of 45%. Computer simulations suggest that the observed particle removal is predominantly due to rapid thermal coagulation between the DPM and fog drops, followed by removal of the DPM-laden drops via inertial impaction with the tube walls.
A Novel Ultra-Miniaturized Highly Sensitive Refractive Index-Based Terahertz Biosensor

This study describes the design and characterization of a highly sensitive THz refractive index-based metamaterial sensor for the detection of biological samples. The proposed ultra-miniaturized THz sensor is constructed using a fan-shaped resonator enclosed within a square loop. The proposed sensor has a footprint of 0.353<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda$</tex-math></inline-formula><sub>eff</sub> × 0.353<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda$</tex-math></inline-formula><sub>eff</sub> where <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda$</tex-math></inline-formula><sub>eff</sub> is the wavelength calculated at the operating frequency of 4.87 THz. The sensitivity of the THz sensor is estimated using the absorption characteristics of the metamaterial. The estimated free space absorptivity is 99.9%. The proposed sensor is polarization insensitive due to the rotational symmetry and it is angularly stable up to 60°. The performance of the sensor is evaluated for different materials and biomedical samples. The results indicate that the proposed sensor has an average sensitivity of 1936 GHz/ Refractive Index Unit (RIU). Furthermore, the influence of the sample thickness is analysed, and the results are presented. From the results, it is inferred that the proposed THz sensor has a good Figure of Merit (FoM) and is suitable for chemical sensing, including the nucleic acids and other components present in the biological samples.
Access to Diagnostic Services Through Health Insurance Schemes: Lessons from a Southern Indian State for Post-COVID Era

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reiterated the importance of diagnostic services in ensuring public health of a nation. Access to timely diagnostic services can be limited because of non-availability and inability to pay, especially in lower-middle-income countries. The need for testing for COVID-19 and other diseases is likely to increase in the coming years. An innovative publicly funded health insurance scheme is being implemented in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India since 2012 for providing financial protection and improving access to diagnostic services. Secondary data pertaining to empanelled public and private diagnostic centres, procedures covered, package rates and claims were procured from the state government and analysed. The article discusses the findings using the World Health Organization’s Universal Health Coverage framework. It argues that public policies providing health protection must explicitly include diagnostic services to fulfil the aim of leaving no one behind in the post-COVID world.
Using The Random Forest Algorithm To Detect The Activity of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Objective: The aim of this study is to establish a random forest model to detect active and quiescent phases of patients with Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and to evaluate its diagnostic performance.Methods：A total of 146 patients (292 eyes) who were diagnosed with TAO and were treated in the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic of Beijing TongRen hospital were retrospectively included in the study. We took the clinical activity score of TAO as the target; took gender, age, smoking status, I-131 treatment history, thyroid nodules, thyromegaly, thyroid hormone and TSH-receptor antibodies (TRAb) as predictive characteristic variables to establish a random forest model. The proportion of the training group to the testing group was 7:3. We analyzed the model’s accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (PPV), F1 score and out-of-bag (OOB) error, with the accuracy, the brier loss and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve compared with logistic regression model.Results：Our model has an accuracy of 0.93, a sensitivity of 0.88, a specificity of 0.96, a positive predictive value of 0.94, a negative predictive value of 0.93, an F1 score of 0.91 and an OOB error of 0.12. The accuracy of the random forest model and the logistic regression model were 0.93 and 0.79, respectively, the brier loss were 0.06 and 0.20, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.95 and 0.86. Conclusion：By integrating these high-risk factors, the random forest algorithm can be used as a complementary diagnostic method to determine the activity of TAO, showing prominent diagnostic performance.
Recurrence of Lymphedema and Related Characteristics in Discharged Breast Cancer Patients During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Survey

BackgroundTo evaluate recurrence of lymphedema and its influencing factors in discharged breast cancer patients with treated lymphedema during the COVID-19 pandemic and to propose feasible improvements. MethodsA multicenter, cross-sectional, hospital-based survey of discharged breast cancer patients was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in eight first-class hospitals in Wuhan city, China. Norman Questionnaire was used for assessing lymphedema, and multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to risk factors of moderate or severe lymphedema. Difference in living characteristics, anxiety and depression between no or mild group and moderate or severe group were compared. Preference in management of lymphedema were collected. Results 202 valid patients were included. 191 participants reported recurred lymphedema (prevalence: 94.6%, 95%CI 90.5% to 97.3%). 134 of them was mild and 57 were moderate/severe. In the 191 patients, the main symptom was swelling (140, 69.3%) and pain (56, 27.7%). Multivariable regression showed that age (odds ratio, 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02-1.10), radical surgery (OR=4.35, 95%CI: 1.54-12.50) and fully complete radiotherapy (OR=2.62, 95%CI: 1.17-5.87, P=0.019) was associated with the risk of moderate or severe lymphedema. No significant difference in lifestyles was observed but moderate or severe group experienced higher rate of anxiety and depression. patients preferred treatment in hospital and self-care at home equally.Conclusion The high recurrence rate of lymphedema in breast cancer patients with during COVID-19 should draw our great attention, continuous efforts should be made to identify patient at risk of lymphedema and distribute feasible guidance and education for self-management for these patients.
Real-Time Control of Distributed Batteries With Blockchain-Enabled Market Export Commitments

Recent years have seen a surge of interest in distributed residential batteries for households with renewable generation. Yet, assuring battery assets are profitable for their owners requires a complex optimisation of the battery asset and additional revenue sources, such as novel ways to access wholesale energy markets. In this paper, we propose a framework in which wholesale market bids are placed on forward energy markets by an aggregator of distributed residential batteries that are controlled in real time by a novel Home Energy Management System (HEMS) control algorithm to meet the market commitments, while maximising local self-consumption. The proposed framework consists of three stages. In the first stage, an optimal day-ahead or intra-day scheduling of the aggregated storage assets is computed centrally. For the second stage, a bidding strategy is developed for wholesale energy markets. Finally, in the third stage, a novel HEMS real-time control algorithm based on a smart contract allows coordination of residential batteries to meet the market commitments and maximise self-consumption of local production. Using a case study provided by a large U.K.-based energy demonstrator, we apply the framework to an aggregator with 70 residential batteries. Experimental analysis is done using real per minute data for demand and production. Results indicate that the proposed approach increases the aggregator's revenues by 35% compared to a case without residential flexibility, and increases the self-consumption rate of the households by a factor of two. The robustness of the results to uncertainty, forecast errors and to communication latency is also demonstrated.
An interactive VR platform with emotion recognition for self-attachment intervention

INTRODUCTION: Self-attachment is a new self-administrable psychotherapeutic intervention based on creating an a ﬀ ectional bond between the user and their childhood-self using their childhood photos to develop the capacity for a ﬀ ect self-regulation. Technological advances, such as virtual reality (VR), can enhance the procedure of this intervention and make it scalable. METHODS: We have developed a user-friendly, interactive VR platform for self-attachment featuring a virtual assistant and a customised child avatar that resembles the user in their childhood. The virtual agent interacts with the user and using an emotion recognition algorithm can provide suggestions for the user to undertake an appropriate self-attachment sub-protocol. Furthermore, the platform allows user interaction with the child avatar, such as embracing the avatar. RESULTS: We show by a small preliminary trial that such a VR experience can be realistic, leading to a positive emotion change in the user.
Recent Advancements in 3D Printing and Bioprinting Methods for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

Recent decades have seen a plethora of regenerating new tissues in order to treat a multitude of cardiovascular diseases. Autografts, xenografts and bioengineered extracellular matrices have been employed in this endeavor. However, current limitations of xenografts and exogenous scaffolds to acquire sustainable cell viability, anti-inflammatory and non-cytotoxic effects with anti-thrombogenic properties underline the requirement for alternative bioengineered scaffolds. Herein, we sought to encompass the methods of biofabricated scaffolds via 3D printing and bioprinting, the biomaterials and bioinks recruited to create biomimicked tissues of cardiac valves and vascular networks. Experimental and computational designing approaches have also been included. Moreover, the in vivo applications of the latest studies on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases have been compiled and rigorously discussed.
Haematological, Biochemical and Hormonal Biomarkers of Heat Intolerance in Military Personnel

Simple Summary This study focuses on the biomarkers that are predictive of heat intolerance in military populations. Military personnel are at risk of exertional heat stroke when the body’s temperature increases during intense physical activity in hot weather. Exertional heat stroke (EHS) may accompany or precede heat intolerance, an unusual sensitivity to heat. However, it is unknown if blood biomarkers (haematological, biochemical and hormonal) are predictive of heat intolerance. We subjected a sample of Australian Defence Force personnel and civilian volunteers to a heat tolerance test (HTT), and blood samples were obtained pre-and post–HTT. The results showed that a history of EHS was associated with changes in creatinine and urea. The biochemical and hormonal biomarkers associated with heat intolerance were alanine amino transaminase, creatine kinase, cortisol and creatinine. Furthermore, creatinine and cortisol were identified as predictors and useful biomarkers of heat intolerance. This study also highlights the need for further exploration of genetic biomarkers to aid early identification and the return to duty process for military personnel who may be at risk of heat intolerance. Abstract Heat intolerance is the inability to withstand heat stress and this may occur due to exertional heat stroke (EHS). However, it is unknown if heat intolerance is associated with immune and hormonal disturbances. This study investigates haematological, biochemical and hormonal biomarkers related to heat intolerance and EHS in military and civilian volunteers. A quasi-experimental pre-and post-test design was used, with participants drawn from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the general populace. Blood samples were collected and analysed for biomarkers. Inferential statistics compared the biomarkers between the groups. Changes in alanine amino transaminase (p = 0.034), creatine kinase (0.044), cortisol (p = 0.041) and creatinine (p < 0.001) differed between the heat-intolerant and heat-tolerant groups. Participants with a history of EHS showed significant changes in creatinine (p = 0.022) and urea (p = 0.0031) compared to those without EHS history. Predictors of heat intolerance were increasing post-HTT creatinine and cortisol (OR = 1.177, p = 0.011 and OR = 1.015, p = 0.003 respectively). Conclusively, EHS history is associated with changes in creatinine and urea concentrations, while the predictors of heat intolerance are creatinine and cortisol. However, further exploration of other biomarkers, such as genetic polymorphism, is needed.
Participants’ perspectives on perceived usefulness of digital and in‐person diabetes prevention programs: A qualitative study to inform decisions related to program participation

Given the effectiveness of both in‐person and digital diabetes prevention programs (DPPs), participants have an opportunity to select a delivery mode based on their needs and preferences. The objective of this study was to understand and compare participants’ experiences with digital and in‐person DPPs to identify factors that affected how useful participants perceived these two program delivery modes.
CHANGES IN ORAL MICROBIOME DURING NON-SURGICAL THERAPY OF PATIENTS WITH SEVERE PERIODONTITIS

SOUHRN Úvod a cíl práce: Parodontitida, která u dospělé populace patří mezi onemocnění s hromadným výskytem, ve svých důsledcích představuje u osob starších než 35 let téměř stejně častý důvod ztráty zubu jako následky zubního kazu. Cílem této studie bylo zhodnotit využitelnost sekvenačních metod nové generace jako nástroje pro komplexní charakterizaci subgingiválního bakteriálního biofilmu u pacientů s pokročilou parodontitidou a pro sledování dynamiky změn složení subgingiválního bakteriálního biofilmu v průběhu terapie. Předpokládá se, že sekvenační metody nové generace poskytnou novou kvalitu sledování průběhu léčby a nabídnou parodontologům nástroj pro objektivní hodnocení účinnosti zvoleného terapeutického postupu a volbu další léčby. Metody: Do studie vstoupilo 43 pacientů s diagnózou pokročilé parodontitidy. Pacienti byli rozděleni do dvou podskupin a léčeni jednou ze dvou standardně schválených metod – pouze deep scaling a root planing (podskupina A – 20 pacientů) a deep scaling a root planing doplněný o antibiotickou terapii (podskupina B – 23 pacientů). Stav jejich parodontu byl hodnocen parodontálními indexy PPD (periodontal pocket depth), BOP (bleeding on probing), CAL (clinical attachment loss) před léčbou a dva týdny, tři měsíce a 18 měsíců po léčbě. Každému pacientovi byla ve shodných časových intervalech odebrána sada čtyř vzorků z nejhlubšího parodontálního chobotu pro stanovení složení mikrobiomu. Výsledky: V průběhu léčby došlo k významnému poklesu parodontálních indexů BOP, CAL a PPD u obou podskupin pacientů. V průběhu léčby došlo také k významnému poklesu indexu parodontálního rizika R/G. U podskupiny pacientů léčených deep scaling a root planing navíc s aplikací antibiotik (podskupina B) došlo 14 dní po léčbě k významně vyššímu poklesu R/G indexu v porovnání s podskupinou A léčenou pouze deep scaling a root planing. Tři měsíce a 18 měsíců po léčbě byly hodnoty indexu parodontálního rizika R/G u obou podskupin pacientů obdobné. Závěr: Taxonomická charakterizace mikrobiomu vyjádřená formou R/G indexu umožňuje monitorovat dynamické změny v průběhu léčby, na rozdíl od pouhého sledování klinických parametrů ukazuje jednoznačné rozdíly mezi skupinami s použitím a bez použití antibiotik v čase 14 dnů po terapii deep scaling a root planing. S ohledem na klinické parametry obou skupin, které se po třech ani 18 měsících v podstatě neliší, je ovšem na místě velmi pečlivě zvážit, zda je antibiotická podpora terapie deep scaling a root planing přínosem, neboť existuje nezanedbatelné riziko rozvoje a šíření rezistencí. Použití antibiotik v parodontologii by mělo být podloženo podrobným klinickým, mikrobiologickým a celkově medicínským vyšetřením.
Recovery of herb‐layer vegetation and soil properties after pile burning in a Midwestern oak woodland

Thinning and removal of woody vegetation is the first step in restoring ecosystem structure to systems altered by woody encroachment. However, pile burning—a common method of eliminating woody residue at restoration sites—can promote the establishment of exotic species and adversely impact soils and native vegetation via extreme soil heating. Despite its widespread use, pile burning effects remain poorly understood in oak woodlands compared to coniferous forests. We examined how pile burning influenced soil properties and herb‐layer recovery in a Midwestern, U.S. oak woodland undergoing restoration via exotic shrub removal, tree thinning, and prescribed burning. We quantified soil properties and passive vegetation recovery inside and adjacent to pile burn scars after 3 years, and tested whether native seed additions in year 1 increased native cover and reduced exotic cover in year 3. Bare ground cover, soil pH, and concentrations of P and Ca remained elevated 3 years after pile burning. In contrast, native cover, native richness, and floristic quality recovered to levels similar to adjacent control locations. Pile burning did not promote exotic invasions, increase inorganic forms of N, or alter patterns of the native cover of most growth forms. However, Carex species failed to reestablish in burn scars. Compared to passive recovery, seed additions increased native cover in burn scars and reduced exotic cover in adjacent control locations. Our results indicate that burn scars can naturally recover in oak woodland, but native seed additions may accelerate this process and improve restoration outcomes.
CHARACTERISTIC RESEARCH ON DOUBLE ROTOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR WITH IRREGULAR HALBACH ARRAY

Dual-rotor permanent magnet motor has the characteristics of high torque density and high efficiency and has a wide range of application prospects in many fields. However, the double air-gap structure also makes the internal magnetic field distribution more complicated and torque fluctuation more serious. To improve the double-layer air-gap magnetic field distribution and reduced torque pulsation, based on the Halbach array magnetization, the inner and outer irregular Halbach array dualrotor permanent magnet motor model was established to obtain the ideal one-sided magnetic field. By comparing the magnetic field distribution of the inner and outer layers, the no-load back-EMF, and the cogging torque, it is proved that the motor with the proposed structure can optimize the air-gap magnetic density and no-load back-EMF and reduce the cogging torque; at the same time, the torque ripple is also significantly reduced to ensure the stability of the motor operation.
COI gene sequences confirm the taxonomic validity of the tooth-carp Aphaniops hormuzensis (Teleostei: Aphaniidae) from southern Iran

The taxonomic validity of the recently described endemic species Aphaniops hormuzensis (Cyprinodontiformes: Aphaniidae) from southern Iran has been questioned as its original description did not include data from another recently described endemic species, i.e. A. kruppi from eastern Oman. Because of the absence of mitochondrial COI gene sequences, Aphaniops hormuzensis was also not included in recent phylogenetic studies. We therefore generated COI gene data for A. hormuzensis and used the new data to construct a phylogenetic tree that also included A. kruppi (amongst other species). Bayesian and Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses reveal that both A. hormuzensis and A. kruppi are monophyletic, with high support values. We conclude that A. hormuzensis is a valid species, which is distinct from A. kruppi and also from A. ginaonis, another tooth-carp endemic to southern Iran. Our results add further support to the taxonomic distinctness of A. hormuzensis from southern Iran.