Analysis of Pedestrian Stress Level Using GSR Sensor in Virtual Immersive Reality

Level of emotional arousal of one's body changes in response to external stimuli in an environment. Given the risks involved while crossing streets, particularly at unsignalized mid-block crosswalks, one can expect a change in the stress level of pedestrians. In this study, we investigate the levels and changes in pedestrian stress, under different road crossing scenarios in immersive virtual reality. To measure stress level of pedestrians, we used Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensors. To collect the required data for the model, Virtual Immersive Reality Environment (VIRE) tool is used, which enables us to measure participant's stress levels in a controlled environment. Detailed experiments were conducted over a 5-month period, with 180 participants from four different places in Toronto to cover a heterogeneous population. Data collected are used to develop behavioural models, to observe the contribution of different variables on increasing pedestrian stress level. The initial modelling results suggested that the density of vehicles has a positive effect, meaning as the density of vehicles increases, so does the stress levels for pedestrians. The sociodemographic information has a relationship to individual’s stress levels. It was noted that younger pedestrians have lower amount of stress when crossing as compared to older pedestrians which have higher amounts of stress. Geometric variables has an impact on the stress level of pedestrians. The greater the number of lanes the greater the observed stress, which is due the crossing distance increasing, while the walking speed remaining the same

Detection of BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations in CD34+ cells from newly diagnosed chronic phase CML patients and their association with imatinib resistance

BCR-ABL kinase domain (KD) mutations, the most common cause of imatinib resistance, are infrequently detected in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) patients. Recent studies indicate pre-existing mutations (PEMs) can be detected in a higher percentage of CML patients using CD34+ stem/progenitor cells, and these mutations may correlate with imatinib resistance. We investigated KD mutations in CD34+ stem cells from 100 CP-CML patients by multiplex ASO-PCR and sequencing ASO-PCR products at the time of diagnosis. PEMs were detected in 32/100 patients and included F311L, M351T, and T315I. After a median follow-up of 30 months (range 8-48), all patients with PEMs exhibited imatinib resistance. Of 68 patients without PEMs, 24 developed imatinib resistance. Mutations were detected in 21 of these patients by ASO-PCR and KD sequencing. All 32 patients with PEMs had the same mutations. In imatinib-resistant patients without PEMs, we detected F311L, M351T, Y253F, and T315I mutations. All imatinib-resistant patients without T315I and Y253F mutations responded to imatinib dose escalation. In conclusion, BCR-ABL PEMs can be detected in a substantial number of CP-CML patients when investigated using CD34+ stem/progenitor cells. These mutations are associated with imatinib resistance, and mutation testing using CD34+ cells may facilitate improved, patient-tailored treatment

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

From ECG signals to images: a transformation based approach for deep learning

Provocative heart disease is related to ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is an irregular and fast heart rhythm that emerges from inappropriate electrical impulses in the ventricles of the heart. Different types of arrhythmias are associated with different patterns, which can be identified. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the major analytical tool used to interpret and record ECG signals. ECG signals are nonlinear and difficult to interpret and analyze. We propose a new deep learning approach for the detection of VA. Initially, the ECG signals are transformed into images that have not been done before. Later, these images are normalized and utilized to train the AlexNet, VGG-16 and Inception-v3 deep learning models. Transfer learning is performed to train a model and extract the deep features from different output layers. After that, the features are fused by a concatenation approach, and the best features are selected using a heuristic entropy calculation approach. Finally, supervised learning classifiers are utilized for final feature classification. The results are evaluated on the MIT-BIH dataset and achieved an accuracy of 97.6% (using Cubic Support Vector Machine as a final stage classifier)Taikomosios informatikos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta

Optimizing planting geometry for barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system in semi-arid sub-tropical climate.

Intercropping legumes with cereals has been a common cropping system in short-season rainfed environments due to its increased productivity and sustainability. Intercropping barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) could increase the grain yield of barley and improve resource use efficiency of the intercropping system. However, non-optimum planting geometry has been a hurdle in the adaptation of barley-based cropping systems. This study was aimed at optimizing the planting geometry, and assess the productivity and profitability of barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system. Ten different planting geometries, differing in number of rows of barley, width and number of irrigation furrows and planting method were tested. Intercropping barley with Egyptian clover improved 56-68% grain yield of barley compared with mono-cropped barley. Barley remained dominant crop in terms of aggressiveness, relative crowding coefficient and competitive ratio. The amount of water used was linearly increased with increasing size of barley strip from 3 to 8 rows. The highest water use efficiency (4.83 kg/cf3) was recorded for 8-row barley strip system with 120 cm irrigation furrows compared to rest of the planting geometries. In conclusion, 8-rows of barley planted on beds with Egyptian clover in 120 cm irrigation furrows had the highest net income and cost benefit ratio. Therefore, it is recommended that this planting geometry can be used for better economic returns of barley-Egyptian clover intercropping system. However, barley strips with >8 rows were not included in this study, which is limitation of the current study. Therefore, future studies with >8 barley rows in strip should be conducted to infer the economic feasibility and profitability of wider barley strips

Sensitive detection of pre-existing BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations in CD34+ cells of newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients is associated with imatinib resistance: implications in the post-imatinib era.

BACKGROUND: BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations are infrequently detected in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. Recent studies indicate the presence of pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations in a higher percentage of CML patients when CD34+ stem/progenitor cells are investigated using sensitive techniques, and these mutations are associated with imatinib resistance and disease progression. However, such studies were limited to smaller number of patients. METHODS: We investigated BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations in CD34+ cells from 100 chronic-phase CML patients by multiplex allele-specific PCR and sequencing at diagnosis. Mutations were re-investigated upon manifestation of imatinib resistance using allele-specific PCR and direct sequencing of BCR-ABL kinase domain. RESULTS: Pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations were detected in 32/100 patients and included F311L, M351T, and T315I. After a median follow-up of 30 months (range 8-48), all patients with pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations exhibited imatinib resistance. Of the 68 patients without pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations, 24 developed imatinib resistance; allele-specific PCR and BCR-ABL kinase domain sequencing detected mutations in 22 of these patients. All 32 patients with pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations had the same mutations after manifestation of imatinib-resistance. In imatinib-resistant patients without pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations, we detected F311L, M351T, Y253F, and T315I mutations. All imatinib-resistant patients except T315I and Y253F mutations responded to imatinib dose escalation. CONCLUSION: Pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations can be detected in a substantial number of chronic-phase CML patients by sensitive allele-specific PCR technique using CD34+ cells. These mutations are associated with imatinib resistance if affecting drug binding directly or indirectly. After the recent approval of nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib and ponatinib for treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia along with imatinib, all of which vary in their effectiveness against mutated BCR-ABL forms, detection of pre-existing BCR-ABL mutations can help in selection of appropriate first-line drug therapy. Thus, mutation testing using CD34+ cells may facilitate improved, patient-tailored treatment

Sequences of ASO primers and corresponding annealing temperatures (bold nucleotides in the primers denote nucleotide changes corresponding to mutations).

*<p>Substitutions of amino acids; positions according to GenBank no. AAB60394for ABL type 1a.</p>**<p>Changes of nucleotide; positions according to GenBank no.M14752.</p>$<p>L (bp) = Primer length in base pairs.</p>#<p>A Tm =  Annealing temperature in degree Celsius.</p

Patients’ characteristics.

<p>Ph+<b> = </b>Philadelphia chromosome positive.</p><p>PEM = pre existing mutations.</p

Comparison of the frequencies of pre-existing BCR-ABL KD mutations and mutations detected after manifestation of imatinib resistance in CML patients.

<p>Comparison of the frequencies of pre-existing BCR-ABL KD mutations and mutations detected after manifestation of imatinib resistance in CML patients.</p

Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular follow-up studies of CML patients with and without BCR-ABL PEMs who received imatinib treatment.

<p>N: number of patients, PEMs: pre-existing mutations; IM: imatinib; CHR: complete hematological response; PHR: partial hematological response; CCyR: complete cytogenetic response; MCyR: major cytogenetic response; minor CyR: minor cytogenetic response; MMR: major molecular response.</p