XMM-Newton observations of XTE J1817-330 and XTE J1856+053

The black hole candidate XTE J1817-330 was discovered in outburst on 26 January 2006 with RXTE/ASM. One year later, on 28 February 2007, another X-ray transient discovered in 1996, XTE J1856+053, was detected by RXTE during a new outburst. We report on the spectra obtained by XMM-Newton of these two black hole candidates.Comment: Replaced with corrected versio

USLR: an open-source tool for unbiased and smooth longitudinal registration of brain MR

We present USLR, a computational framework for longitudinal registration of brain MRI scans to estimate nonlinear image trajectories that are smooth across time, unbiased to any timepoint, and robust to imaging artefacts. It operates on the Lie algebra parameterisation of spatial transforms (which is compatible with rigid transforms and stationary velocity fields for nonlinear deformation) and takes advantage of log-domain properties to solve the problem using Bayesian inference. USRL estimates rigid and nonlinear registrations that: (i) bring all timepoints to an unbiased subject-specific space; and (i) compute a smooth trajectory across the imaging time-series. We capitalise on learning-based registration algorithms and closed-form expressions for fast inference. A use-case Alzheimer's disease study is used to showcase the benefits of the pipeline in multiple fronts, such as time-consistent image segmentation to reduce intra-subject variability, subject-specific prediction or population analysis using tensor-based morphometry. We demonstrate that such approach improves upon cross-sectional methods in identifying group differences, which can be helpful in detecting more subtle atrophy levels or in reducing sample sizes in clinical trials. The code is publicly available in https://github.com/acasamitjana/uslrComment: Submitted to Medical Image Analysi

Characterization of a 2-D laser scanner for outdoor wide range measurement

This paper presents a metrological characterization study of SICK LMS 511 laser scanner, with an extended analysis of its main acquisition issues. Various parameters that could affect the sensor performances, such as warm-up time, target properties (color and material), and target position (distance and orientation) are investigated. Moreover, the mixed pixel problem is introduced and, finally, since the sensor is designed to work in a wide outdoor environment, the effect of direct sun light is taken into account. Some cases of faulty data are identified and explanations discussed

Exergames for women with fibromyalgia: a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effect on mobility skills, balance and fear of falling

ANTECEDENTES: Los exergames son una nueva forma de rehabilitación que combina las características del ejercicio físico y los beneficios de la realidad virtual no inmersiva (VR). Los efectos de esta novedosa terapia en mujeres con fibromialgia aún son desconocidos. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de la intervención basada en exergame sobre las habilidades de movilidad, el equilibrio y el miedo a caer en mujeres con fibromialgia. MÉTODOS: Este estudio fue un ensayo controlado aleatorio con asignación oculta. Setenta y seis mujeres con fibromialgia se dividieron en dos grupos: el grupo de ejercicios recibió una intervención de ocho semanas basada en exergames, mientras que el grupo de control continuó sus actividades habituales. Las habilidades de movilidad se evaluaron mediante la prueba cronometrada e ir, mientras que el equilibrio se evaluó mediante la prueba de alcance funcional y el protocolo CTSIB. El miedo a caer se evaluó en una escala de 0 a 100 (0, sin miedo; 100, miedo extremo). Las mediciones se realizaron antes y después de la intervención. Se utilizó un modelo mixto lineal de medidas repetidas para comparar los efectos de la intervención entre los dos grupos. RESULTADOS: El grupo de ejercicio fue significativamente más rápido que el grupo de control en la prueba de cronometraje e inicio (DM, −0.71; IC del 95% [−1.09–0.32]; p <0.001). También hubo mejoras significativas en el alcance funcional y un menor temor a caerse (DM, 4,34; IC del 95% [1,39 a 7,30]; p = 0,005 y DM, −9,85; IC del 95% [−0,19–−0,08]; p = 0.048, respectivamente). DISCUSIÓN: El TUG mejorado observado aquí fue mejor que la diferencia real más pequeña. Según los resultados de las habilidades de movilidad, el equilibrio y el miedo a caerse, los juegos pueden ser una herramienta eficaz como terapia para las mujeres con fibromialgia.BACKGROUND: Exergames are a new form of rehabilitation that combine the characteristics of physical exercise and the benefits of non-immersive virtual reality (VR). Effects of this novel therapy in women fibromyalgia are still unknown. The objective was to evaluate the effects of exergame-based intervention on mobility skills, balance and fear of falling in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation. Seventy-six women with fibromyalgia were divided into two groups: the exercise group received an eight week intervention based on exergames, while the control group continued their usual activities. Mobility skills were evaluated using the timed up and go test, while balance was assessed using the functional reach test, and the CTSIB protocol. Fear of falling was evaluated on a scale of 0–100 (0, no fear; 100, extreme fear). Measurements were performed before and after the intervention. A repeated-measures linear mixed model was used to compare the effects of the intervention between the two groups. RESULTS: The exercise group was significantly quicker than the control group in the timed up and go test (MD, −0.71; 95% CI [−1.09–0.32]; p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in functional reach and a reduced fear of falling (MD, 4.34; 95% CI [1.39–7.30]; p = 0.005 and MD, −9.85; 95% CI [−0.19–−0.08]; p = 0.048, respectively). DISCUSSION: The improved TUG observed herein was better than the smallest real difference. Based on the results on mobility skills, balance and fear of falling, exergames may be an effective tool as a therapy for women with fibromyalgia.• Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Becas DEP2012-39828 y DEP2015-70356 (I+D+i) Gobierno de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Beca GR10127 • Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deportes. Beca FPU14/01283peerReviewe

Heptanuclear hydroxo-bridged copper cluster of the dicubane-like type: structural and magnetic characterisations of [Cu7(OH)6Cl2(pn)6(H2O)2](C(CN)3)4Cl2 (pn = 1,3-diaminopropane)

A new polynuclear copper(II) complex [Cu7(OH)6Cl2- (pn)6(H2O)2](C(CN)3)4Cl2 with hydroxo-bridging ligands has been prepared; the centrosymmetric cluster cation can be described as two Cu4O3Cl distorted cubane units sharing one copper cation.Clemente Juan, Juan Modesto, [email protected] ; Gomez Garcia, Carlos Jose, [email protected] ; Coronado Miralles, Eugenio, [email protected]

A Ergonomia na Identificação dos aspectos dimensionais críticos: o estudo antropométrico de um carro de competição BAJA SAE

O presente artigo apresenta estudos ergonômicos realizados em um veículo de competição de Baja SAE de equipe da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, contemplando a antropometria do piloto, com o objetivo de identificar os aspectos dimensionais críticos no projeto atual do carro. Estes aspectos podem afetar negativamente o desempenho do mesmo nas provas e de igual forma prejudicar o piloto. Para a analise foram utilizadas tabelas antropométricas com os percentis 5/50/95, além do uso de técnicas de   fotogrametria    e   também   da   interação   de manequins ergonômicos em escala 1:10. Como resultado, foi possível identificar os aspectos dimensionais críticos e propor recomendações para adequá-las às necessidades do piloto. Palavras chave: antropometria; Baja SAE; cockpit de competição; ergonomia; segurança; conforto

Ergonomia Física Aplicada: o caso do calçado de salto alto

Os calçados já eram utilizados há milhares de anos atrás para proteger os pés, desde então vem passando por diversas modificações. Este estudo visa identificar as consequências negativas do uso do salto, para isso se aplicou técnicas exploratórias e cortes transversais na literatura a fim de identificar as principais consequências que pode trazer ao usuário, como dores, encurtamento da musculatura e problemas ortopédicos. Um questionário foi aplicado com 128 mulheres para identificar questões relacionadas a imprevistos como torções ou quedas e desconforto e dores nos pés e costas com uso deste tipo de calçado.Palavras chave: Ergonomia; Antropometria; Calçados de salto alto; Biomecânica

Non-inferiority of dose reduction versusstandard dosing of TNF-inhibitors in axial spondyloarthritis

Objective: the objective was to determine if dose reduction is non-inferior to full-dose TNFi to maintain low disease activity (LDA) in patients already in remission with TNFi, in axial spondyloarthritis. Methods: randomized, parallel, non-inferiority, open-label multicentre clinical trial. Patients were eligible if they had axial spondyloarthritis and had been in clinical remission for ≥ 6 months with any available TNFi (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab) at the dose recommended by product labelling. Patients were randomized by automated central allocation to continue the same TNFi dose schedule, or to reduce the dose by roughly half according to the protocol. The main outcome was the proportion of subjects with LDA after 1 year. Serious adverse reactions or infections were recorded. Results: the trial stopped due to end of the funding period, after 126 patients were randomized; 113 patients (84.1% male, mean age (SD) 45.6 (13.0) years) were included in the main per-protocol subset. Non-inferiority was concluded for LDA at 1 year (47/55 (83.8%) patients in the full-dose and 48/58 (81.3%) patients in the reduced-dose arm, adjusted difference (95% CI) − 2.5% (− 16.6% to 11.7%)). Serious adverse reactions or infections were reported in 7/62 patients (11.3%) assigned to full dose and 2/61 patients (3.3%) assigned to reduced dose (p value = 0.164). Conclusion: in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in clinical remission for at least 6 months, dose reduction is non-inferior to full TNF inhibitor doses to maintain LDA after 1 year. Serious adverse events may be less frequent with reduced doses

Effectiveness of Radiomic ZOT Features in the Automated Discrimination of Oncocytoma from Clear Cell Renal Cancer

Background: Benign renal tumors, such as renal oncocytoma (RO), can be erroneously diagnosed as malignant renal cell carcinomas (RCC), because of their similar imaging features. Computer-aided systems leveraging radiomic features can be used to better discriminate benign renal tumors from the malignant ones. The purpose of this work was to build a machine learning model to distinguish RO from clear cell RCC (ccRCC). Method: We collected CT images of 77 patients, with 30 cases of RO (39%) and 47 cases of ccRCC (61%). Radiomic features were extracted both from the tumor volumes identified by the clinicians and from the tumor’s zone of transition (ZOT). We used a genetic algorithm to perform feature selection, identifying the most descriptive set of features for the tumor classification. We built a decision tree classifier to distinguish between ROs and ccRCCs. We proposed two versions of the pipeline: in the first one, the feature selection was performed before the splitting of the data, while in the second one, the feature selection was performed after, i.e., on the training data only. We evaluated the efficiency of the two pipelines in cancer classification. Results: The ZOT features were found to be the most predictive by the genetic algorithm. The pipeline with the feature selection performed on the whole dataset obtained an average ROC AUC score of 0.87 ± 0.09. The second pipeline, in which the feature selection was performed on the training data only, obtained an average ROC AUC score of 0.62 ± 0.17. Conclusions: The obtained results confirm the efficiency of ZOT radiomic features in capturing the renal tumor characteristics. We showed that there is a significant difference in the performances of the two proposed pipelines, highlighting how some already published radiomic analyses could be too optimistic about the real generalization capabilities of the models