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Background Electrical stimulation has been employed as a safe and effective therapy for improving arm function after stroke. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is a unique method that has progressed from application in small feasibility studies to implementation in several randomized controlled trials. However, no meta-analysis has been conducted to summarize its efficacy. Objective To summarize the effect size of CCFES through measures of upper extremity motor recovery compared with that of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected and subjected to meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment. Results 6 RCTs were selected and 267 participants were included. The Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment (UEFMA) was included in all studies, the Box and Blocks test (BBT) and active range of motion (AROM) were included in 3 and 4 studies, respectively. The modified Barthel Index (mBI) and Arm Motor Abilities Test (AMAT) were included in 2 and 3 studies, respectively. The CCFES group demonstrated greater improvement than the NMES did in UEFMA (SMD = .42, 95% CI = .07–.76), BBT (SMD = .48, 95% CI = .10–.86), AROM (SMD = .54, 95% CI = .23–.86), and mBI (SMD = .54, 95% CI = .12–.97). However, the results for AMAT did not differ significantly (SMD = .34, 95% CI = −.03–.72). Conclusion Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation produced greater improvements in upper extremity hemiplegia in people with stroke than NMES did. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021245831

To investigate the effect of hypertonic dextrose injection on pain and disability in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. The secondary aim was to evaluate its effect on the tendon range of motion (ROM) and morphology.Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Outpatient clinic.Individuals (N=57) with symptomatic chronic supraspinatus tendinosis.Participants were randomly administered ultrasound-guided injections of 20% hypertonic dextrose (study group, n=29) or 5% normal saline (control group, n=28).The primary outcome measure was visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) scores. Secondary outcomes included the ROM and ultrasound examination findings of the supraspinatus tendon at baseline and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postintervention.The study group exhibited significant improvements in the VAS (mean difference [MD], -2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.7 to -1.4; P.001) and SPADI (MD, -11.6; 95% CI, -16.5 to -6.7; P.001) scores compared with baseline scores at week 2. However, the effect was not sustained to week 6. Flexion ROM increased at weeks 2 (MD, 14.1; 95% CI, 5.7-22.5; P.001) and 6 (MD, 8.9; 95% CI, 2.4-15.4; P=.003) compared with baseline. The thickness of the supraspinatus tendon improved at weeks 6 (MD, .50; 95% CI, .26-.74; P.001) and 12 (MD, .61; 95% CI, .37-.84; P.001) compared with baseline. The ratio of histograms also improved at weeks 6 (MD, .19; 95% CI, .06-.32; P=.002) and 12 (MD, .26; 95% CI, .10-.41; P.001) compared with baseline.Hypertonic dextrose injection could provide short-term pain and disability relief in patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinosis. Ultrasound imaging at week 6 revealed changed tendon morphology.

This study evaluated the performance of children with learning problems in Taiwan by using the Taiwan Data Bank of Persons with Disability.We included 3854 children (2343 males, 1511 females; mean [SD] age 9y 11mo [2y 4mo]) with specific learning disorder (SLD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, epilepsy, or intellectual disabilities for analysis. We used the Functioning Scale of the Disability Evaluation System-Child version to investigate performance at follow-up for at least 3 years.These participants demonstrated improvement across all the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Health, and Disability including for mobility, learning, social participation, and daily living. The children with SLD (p=0.3) and epilepsy (p=0.442) did not demonstrate significant improvement in learning, whereas those with ADHD (p0.001), autism (p0.001), and intellectual disabilities (p0.001) did. The children with epilepsy displayed the most impairment and least improvement.This cross-diagnostic study of learning problems indicated the children with autism or ADHD received more structural education. However, education strategies for those with SLD or epilepsy required improvement. Finally, SLD is possibly underdiagnosed in children, and children with epilepsy are affected in multiple aspects.Specific learning disorder (SLD), ADHD, autism, epilepsy, and intellectual disability can cause learning problems in children. Children with ADHD and autism showed more improvement in academic performance. SLD has been neglected and underdiagnosed, resulting in poor improvement. Children with epilepsy have multiple impairments and exhibited minimal improvement.Movilidad y desempeño educativo y social de niños con problemas de aprendizaje en Taiwán: un estudio de seguimiento de 3 años OBJETIVO: Este estudio evaluó el desempeño de los niños con problemas de aprendizaje en Taiwán utilizando el Banco de Datos de Personas con Discapacidad de Taiwán. MÉTODO: Para el análisis incluimos 3854 niños (2343 varones, 1511 mujeres; edad media [DE] 9 años 11 meses [2 años 4 meses]) con trastorno específico del aprendizaje (SLD), trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH), autismo, epilepsia, o trastornos intelectuales. Utilizamos la Escala de Funcionamiento del Sistema de Evaluación de la Discapacidad-versión infantil para investigar el desempeño en el seguimiento durante al menos 3 años. RESULTADOS: Estos participantes demostraron una mejora en todos los dominios de la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, de la Discapacidad, y de la Salud (CIF) incluida la movilidad, el aprendizaje, la participación social y la vida diaria. Los niños con SLD (p = 0,3) y epilepsia (p = 0,442) no demostraron una mejora significativa en el aprendizaje, mientras que aquellos con TDAH (p 0,001), autismo (p 0,001) y discapacidad intelectual (p 0,001) sí lo hicieron. Los niños con epilepsia mostraron el mayor deterioro y la menor mejora. INTERPRETACIÓN: Este estudio de desempeño en niños con distintos diagnósticos indicó que los niños con autismo o TDAH recibieron una educación más estructural. Sin embargo, las estrategias educativas para las personas con SLD o epilepsia requerían mejoras. Finalmente, la SLD posiblemente esta poco diagnosticada en niños, y los niños con epilepsia se ven afectados en múltiples aspectos del desempeño.Mobilidade e desempenho educacional e social das crianças com dificuldades de aprendizagem em Taiwan: Um estudo de acompanhamento de 3 anos OBJETIVO: Este estudo avaliou o desempenho de crianças com problemas de aprendizagem usando o Banco de Dados de Pessoas com Deficiência em Taiwan. MÉTODO: Foram incluídas 3.854 crianças (2.343 homens, 1.511 mulheres; idade média [SD] de 9 anos e 11 meses [2 anos e 4 meses] com transtorno específico de aprendizagem (TEA), transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade (TDAH), autismo, epilepsia ou deficiência intelectual para análise. Utilizou-se uma Escala de Funcionamento do Sistema de Avaliação de Incapacidade-Criança para investigar o desempenho no acompanhamento por pelo menos 3 anos. RESULTADOS: Esses participantes demonstraram melhora em todos os domínios do Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Saúde e Incapacidade, incluindo para mobilidade, aprendizagem, participação social e vida diária. As crianças com TEA (p = 0,3) e epilepsia (p = 0,442) não apresentaram melhora significativa no aprendizado, enquanto aquelas com TDAH (p 0,001), autismo (p 0,001) e deficiência intelectual (p 0,001) apresentaram melhora significativa. Crianças com epilepsia apresentaram maior comprometimento e menor melhora. INTERPRETAÇÃO: Este estudo de diagnóstico cruzado de problemas de aprendizagem indicou que as crianças com autismo ou TDAH receberam mais educação estrutural. No entanto, as estratégias de educação para aqueles com TEA ou epilepsia exigia melhora. Finalmente, o TEA é possivelmente subdiagnosticado em crianças, e crianças com epilepsia são afetadas em múltiplos aspectos.

It is demonstrated that various combinations of models describing the adsorbed phase volume and the actual amount adsorbed (AAA) can be used to describe the experimental Gibbsian surface excess isotherm data for adsorption of a pure gas. Thus, the resulting AAA isotherm and the other adsorptive properties estimated by this approach can be ambiguous and artificial.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to the symptoms and signs caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It can be treated by corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel. Two methods for injection have been employed, namely ultrasound-guided and landmark-guided injection. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare these methods in terms of several outcomes. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified, and data collection was completed on 7 October 7, 2020. Results for continuous variables are expressed as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The analysis included eight RCTs published between 2013 and 2019 with a total of 448 patients. Ultrasound-guided injection yielded more favorable results for the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Symptom Severity Scale [SMD = −0.49, 95% CI (−0.74, −0.25), P < 0.0001], Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Functional Status Scale [SMD = −0.24, 95% CI (−0.42, −0.06), P = 0.01], distal motor latency [SMD = −0.36, 95% CI (−0.70, −0.02), P = 0.04], and compound muscle action potential [SMD = 0.38, 95% CI (0.16, 0.61), P = 0.0008] . Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection is recommended for patients with CTS.

Background: Gout commonly involves joint inflammation, and clinical epidemiological studies on involved tendons are scant. Rotator cuff tears are the most common cause of shoulder disability, and surgery is one of the choices often adopted to regain previous function. Purpose: To investigate the risk of receiving rotator cuff repair surgery among patients with gout and to analyze possible risk factors to design an effective prevention strategy. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The authors studied a 7-year longitudinal follow-up of patients from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005). This included a cohort of patients who received a diagnosis of gout during 2004-2008 (gout cohort) and a cohort matched by propensity scores (control cohort). A 2-stage approach that used the National Health Interview Survey 2005 was used to obtain missing confounding variables from the LHID2005. The crude hazard ratio (HR) and adjusted HR were estimated between the gout and control cohorts. Results: The gout and control cohorts comprised 32,723 patients with gout and 65,446 people matched at a ratio of 1:2. The incidence of rotator cuff repair was 31 and 18 per 100,000 person-years in the gout and control cohorts, respectively. The crude HR for rotator cuff repair in the gout cohort was 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-2.44; P < .01) during the 7-year follow-up period. After adjustment for covariates by use of the 2-stage approach, the propensity score calibration-adjusted HR was 1.60 (95% CI, 1.12-2.29; P < .01) in the gout cohort. Further analysis revealed that the adjusted HR was 1.73 (95% CI, 1.20-2.50; P < .001) among patients with gout who did not take hypouricemic medication and 2.70 (95% CI, 1.31-5.59; P < .01) for patients with gout aged 50 years or younger. Conclusion: Patients with gout, particularly those aged 50 years or younger and without hypouricemic medication control, are at a relatively higher risk of receiving rotator cuff repair surgery. Strict control of uric acid levels with hypouricemic medication may effectively reduce the risk of rotator cuff repair.

The selectivity of adsorption of a component of a binary or a ternary gas mixture can be a complex function of equilibrium gas phase pressure, temperature and composition and it must be experimentally measured for reliable design of adsorptive gas separation processes. The results of a literature search (1995–2015) using the search engine ‘Web of Science’ for experimental data on binary and ternary gas adsorption selectivity and their estimation from the corresponding pure gas adsorption isotherms by Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) are summarized. The published data cover a large range of equilibrium gas phase conditions and adsorption systems having different adsorbate (molecular size, polarity) and adsorbent (energetic heterogeneity, polarity) properties. The estimation of selectivity by IAST vis a vis the experimental data was good to reasonable for certain systems, while the deviation was large for others. Potential reasons for such observations are discussed.

It was experimentally demonstrated that the performance of a medical oxygen concentrator based on rapid pressure swing adsorption (RPSA) process using a LiLSX zeolite was improved [lower bed size factor (BSF) and higher oxygen recovery (RO)] when the adsorbent exhibited higher selectivity of adsorption of N2 over O2. The effects of N2 selectivity on BSF and RO as functions of the RPSA process cycle times were found to be complex and nonintuitive. The key properties of a LiLSX zeolite sample for adsorption of N2 and O2 (pure and binary gas isotherms, binary selectivity, pure gas isosteric heats, pure gas mass-transfer characteristics, and degrees of adsorbent heterogeneity), which exhibited a relatively higher selectivity of adsorption for N2 over O2 compared to a previously reported sample, were measured and used in this study.

New experimental data are reported for equilibrium adsorption isotherm and mass transfer of pure argon on a sample of pelletized lithium-exchanged low silica X (LiLSX) zeolite. Model analysis of the data indicate that the zeolite behaved like a nearly homogeneous adsorbent for Ar adsorption while it exhibited substantial heterogeneity for adsorption of N2 and milder heterogeneity for adsorption of O2. The overall mass transfer coefficient for Ar adsorption was comparable in magnitude with those of N2 and O2. The coefficient increased with increasing pressure and decreased with increasing temperature like those for N2 and O2. A large skin resistance at the adsorbent particle surface was observed for Ar mass transfer like that for adsorption of O2 and N2.

The performances of a novel rapid pressure swing adsorption system for continuous production of ˜ 90% O2 from a compressed air feed were experimentally studied using two different samples of pelletized LiLSX zeolite. Bed size factor (BSF) and O2 recovery (R) were compared as functions of total process cycle times. The optimum performance by the samples differed substantially—one exhibiting ˜ 30% smaller BSF and ˜ 6% higher R than the other, even though the adsorption isotherms and column dynamics for the pure gases were nearly identical. Column pressure drop during the desorption step was the cause.

Effective mass transfer coefficients (κe,s–1) for adsorption of pure N2 and O2 into small particles of a pelletized sample of lithium exchanged low silica X (LiLSX) zeolite were estimated as functions of gas pressure (P) and temperature (T) by analysis of experimental column dynamic data using a specific protocol based on assumptions of a constant pattern mass transfer zone (MTZ) formation and a linear driving force model for mass transport. New column breakthrough data at different P and T for displacements of pure inert helium by pure N2 or O2 in an isobaric–isothermal adsorber were used. The mass transfer coefficients decreased linearly with increasing P and increased with increasing T. Data interpretation using a “resistances in series” model for isothermal–isobaric mass transport of an adsorbate having a linear adsorption isotherm into a pelletized zeolite particle suggested the presence of a skin resistance at the pellet surface, which in combination with resistances created by axial dispersion in t...

Three analytical adsorption isotherm models for energetically homogeneous (Langmuir) and heterogeneous (Toth, Sircar) adsorbents were tested for describing recently measured pure gas isotherm data for adsorption of N2 and O2 on pelletized LiLSX zeolite at three different temperatures and in the pressure range of 0–6 atm. Estimated binary gas isotherms for this system by these models and the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) were compared with the corresponding experimental data. All three models describe the pure gas isotherms reasonably well, but the model that accounts for the differences in the degrees of adsorbent heterogeneity of the components of a mixture (Sircar) provided better correlation between experimental and estimated binary selectivities than the other models and IAST under various conditions of pressure, temperature, and gas composition. Predictions of multicomponent isotherm data by models must be extensively tested experimentally, since their ability to describe pure gas isotherms d...

An isothermal–isobaric column dynamic test apparatus was built to measure equilibrium adsorption isotherms of pure N2 and O2 and their binary mixtures at 0, 30, and 65 °C in the pressure range of 0–6 atm on LiLSX zeolite. The data successfully passed an integral and a differential thermodynamic consistency test between pure and binary gas isotherms. The binary selectivities of N2 over O2 were functions of the gas-phase mole fraction and pressure, and the pure gas isosteric heats of adsorption decreased with increased loadings. Thus, the adsorbent was energetically heterogeneous for both gases. The degree of heterogeneity for N2 was larger than that for O2.

Research has indicated that inflammation promote all phases of atherosclerosis. The current study tested the hypothesis that rhinosinusitis is a risk marker for myocardial infarction (MI). Data on the general population were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005). The study cohort comprised patients who had received a recorded diagnosis of rhinosinusitis ( N = 52,930) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2004. The comparison group consisted of patients who had not received a rhinosinusitis diagnosis, and who were matched for age and sex with the study group at a ratio of 4 controls to 1 study patient (1:4) ( N = 211,720). Each patient's condition was followed using database entries until the end of 2006. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate the 3-year MI-free survival rates, after adjusting for known confounding factors. We found that patients with rhinosinusitis were more likely than the control group to have MI, after adjusting for potential confounders [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44 ∼ 2.40]. Of the total 264 650 patients, 290 experienced MI during the 3-year follow-up period, including 8 acute sinusitis patients, 77 chronic sinusitis patients, and 205 control patients. The incidence rate of MI was 6.19 (95% CI 5.01–7.65) per 10,000 person-years for rhinosinusitis patients, compared to 3.51 (95% CI, 3.06–4.02) for the control patients. From this study, rhinosinusitis may be associated with MI. Further research in this important area of public health is warranted.

Aim The aim of the study was to investigate the risk of stroke in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), based on nationwide data in Taiwan. Method This prospective cohort study was comprised of patients recorded on the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005) who had a diagnosis of CP (n=1975) in records between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. A comparison group (1:5) drawn from the same database was matched for age and sex (n=9875). Each patient was tracked by data until the development of stroke or the end of 2008. Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the hazard ratios after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results Patients with CP were more likely to suffer stroke than the comparison population, after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74–2.69). The hazard ratio of stroke was 4.78 (95% CI: 3.18–7.17) and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.20–2.05) for patients with CP aged 50 years and under, and over 50 years respectively. Interpretation Cerebral palsy is a risk factor or marker for stroke that is independent of traditional stroke risk factors. Further research in this area is warranted.

Ciprofloxacin-induced tendinopathy and tendon rupture have been previously described, principally affecting the Achilles tendon. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Tendon healing requires migration of tenocytes to the repair site, followed by proliferation and synthesis of the extracellular matrix. This study was designed to determine the effect of ciprofloxacin on migration of tenocytes intrinsic to rat Achilles tendon. Whether a correlation exits between this effect and the expression and phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which is a positive regulator of cell motility, was also investigated. Using cultured tenocytes, migration was evaluated by counting the number of initial cell outgrowth from the tendon explants and by transwell filter migration assay. Tenocyte spreading was also evaluated microscopically. The serum-induced protein expression and phosphorylation of FAK were determined by Western blot analysis in synchronized tenocytes. Ciprofloxacin dose-dependently inhibited tenocytes outgrowth from the explants ex vivo, migration of tenocytes through the transwell filter, as well as cell spreading in vitro. Suppression of FAK phosphorylation was revealed by Western blot analyses. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin inhibits tenocyte migration in a process that is probably mediated by inhibition of FAK phosphorylation.

This paper proposes an uneven block-sized information included marker (UBIIM) in the use of JPEG 2000 to achieve both compression efficiency and error resilience capability. Included in the UBIIM approach is the marker adopted in JPEG 2000 devised to incorporate also error detection and correction capabilities. The UBIIM consists of VS Index and TR Index, where VS Index is used to indicate a value support block, one of the neighboring blocks of the erroneous block of which the pixel values will be most similar as the erroneous block. TR Index is used to indicate a texture reference block, the block in the corresponding position of the erroneous block in the same subband of one-higher level of which the pixel value distribution is similar as the erroneous block. When errors occur, a new block is formed to replace the erroneous block by value support block and texture reference block, to achieve error concealment. The sizes of the blocks in UBIIM are determined based on the importance factor of various levels of subbands, that is, different levels have different block sizes. With such approach, the possible overhead due to the addition of markers between every two blocks could be dramatically reduced, while error resilience capability significantly improved.

The aim of this study was to investigate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) as risk factors for stroke. The study was analyzed by Using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005), this cohort study investigated patients with a recorded diagnosis of RA (N = 6114) and SLE (N = 621) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007, with age-matched controls (1:4) (for RA, N = 24456; SLE, N = 2484). We used Cox proportional-hazard regressions to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) after adjusting confounding factors. Our study found 383 of 6114 RA patients, experienced stroke during the 20267 person-year follow-up period. The adjusted HR of stroke for RA patients was 1.24 (95% CI, 1.11 to 1.39) and for SLE patients was 1.88 (95% CI, 1.08 to 3.27). When steroid was added as additional confounding factor, the adjusted HR of ischemic stroke for RA patients was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.50) and for SLE patients was 1.31 (95% CI, 0.51 to 3.34). In conclusion, the rheumatic diseases of RA and SLE are all risk factors for stroke. After controlled the effect of steroid prescription, RA is risk factor for ischemic stroke.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk of adhesive capsulitis among hyperthyroidism patients. The data were obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID 2005) in Taiwan, using 1 million participants and a prospective population-based 7-year cohort study of survival analysis. The ambulatory-care claim records of patients diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes relating to hyperthyroidism between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007, were obtained. The prevalence and the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of adhesive capsulitis among hyperthyroid patients and the control group were estimated. Of 4472 hyperthyroid patients, 162 (671/100 000 person-years) experienced adhesive capsulitis during the 24 122 person-year follow-up period. The crude HR of stroke was 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06 to 1.49), which was larger than that of the control group. The adjusted HR of developing adhesive capsulitis was 1.22 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.45) for hyperthyroid patients during the 7-year follow-up period, which achieved statistical significance. The results of our large-scale longitudinal population-based study indicated that hyperthyroidism is an independent risk factor of developing adhesive capsulitis.

Research has found evidence that chronic inflammation may promote atherosclerotic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that rhinosinusitis is a risk factor for stroke.This prospective cohort study comprised patients recorded on the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005) who had received a diagnosis of rhinosinusitis (n = 53,653) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005. A control group (1:4) drawn from the same database was matched for age and gender (n = 214,624). Each patient was followed up using data entered until the end of 2006. Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) after adjusting for potential confounding factors.We found that patients with rhinosinusitis were more likely to suffer strokes than the control population, after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted HR, 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28~1.50). The HR of stroke was 1.39 (95% CI, 1.28~1.51) for acute sinusitis patients, and 1.34 (95% CI, 1.04~1.74) for chronic sinusitis patients.Both acute and chronic sinusitis are risk factors or markers for stroke that is independent of traditional stroke risk factors. Further research in this important area of epidemiology is warranted.

Background There is evidence that chronic inflammation may promote atherosclerotic disease. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a risk marker for myocardial infarction (MI). Method Using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005), this cohort study comprised patients with a recorded diagnosis of PID ( N =68,668) between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2005, with age-matched controls (1:2) ( N =136,906). Each patient was followed-up using entry data until the end of 2006. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate the up to 3-year MI-free survival rates, after adjusting for known confounding factors. Results We found that patients with PID were more likely to have MI than the control population after adjusting for potential confounders [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23–2.81]. When stratified by patient's age, the adjusted HR for MI was 2.09 (95% CI, 1.24–3.52) for patients with PID aged over 55years. However, the adjusted HR for MI occurring was not significant for patients with PID aged≤55years. Conclusions PID is a risk marker for MI that is independent of traditional MI risk factors. Further research in this important area of public health is warranted.

To solve that single camera has its limitation of field of view, this paper proposed an object tracking method using multiple camera data fusion in image sequences. In this approach, a tracking filter and a multiple-view data fusion algorithm are applied. An estimation structure, called hierarchical estimation, is used to generate local and global estimate and to combine the estimates obtained from each camera views to form a global estimate. The advantage of this approach is the data of one camera view complements that of another camera view in order to obtain better target measurement information and to make more accurate estimates. A set of image sequences from multiple views are applied to evaluate performance. Computer simulation and experimental results indicate that this approach successfully tracks objects and has good estimation.

A walking frame and wheelchair detection system that uses geometry constrained knowledge is proposed for health care centers. The system can early detect an accident occur when the elderly get on bed. Based on the space relative constrained, accurate results are obtained for wheelchair position detection. A tracking algorithm is utilized to track and predict wheelchair motion with orientation. The developed approach has been applied for the early detection accidents in a health care center. Experiment results show that the algorithm obtains desirable performance and accuracy.

Motivated by the empirical findings that asset returns are autocorrelated, this paper provides the pricing algorithm for American options on the stocks, the returns of which depend on an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) process, by incorporating with the least squares Monte Carlo approach of Longstaff and Schwartz (2001) and the local risk-neutralization principle of Duan (1995). Based on the results of numerical analyses, the ARMA effect has significant impacts on values of American options. Specifically, the AR effect is more significant than the MA effect.

We develop an efficient distribution-based tree method to value a broad range of contingent claims under Gaussian HJM framework of stochastic interest rates. Instead of using random numbers from the standard normal at each time interval of Monte Carlo simulation, we use a zero-mean and unit-variance bell-shaped multinomial distribution to approximate the standard normal distribution. Based on these multinomial distributions, we create a multinomial distribution-based tree to implement for at least ten-years maturity American-style contingent claims with arbitrary deterministic volatilities of interest rates under multi-factor Gaussian HJM framework. From the numerical results, the distribution-based tree method can be used to compute options prices fast with accuracy.

Introduction Rupture of the distal musculotendinous junction of the medial head of the gastrocnemius, also known as "tennis leg", can be readily examined using a soft tissue ultrasound. Loss of muscle fiber continuity and the occurrence of bloody fluid accumulation can be observed using ultrasound with the patient in the prone position; however, some cases may have normal ultrasound findings in this conventional position. We report a case of a middle-aged man with tennis leg. Ultrasound examination had normal findings during the first two attempts. During the third attempt, with the patient's calf muscles examined in an unconventional knee flexed position, sonographic findings resembling tennis leg were detected. Case presentation A 60-year-old man in good health visited our rehabilitation clinic complaining of left calf muscle pain. On suspicion of a ruptured left medial head gastrocnemius muscle, a soft tissue ultrasound examination was performed. An ultrasound examination revealed symmetrical findings of bilateral calf muscles without evidence of muscle rupture. A roentgenogram of the left lower limb did not reveal any bony lesions. An ultrasound examination one week later also revealed negative sonographic findings. However, he still complained of persistent pain in his left calf area. A different ultrasound examination approach was then performed with the patient lying in the supine position with his knee flexed at 90 degrees. The transducer was then placed pointing upwards to examine the muscles and well-defined anechoic fluid collections with areas of hypoechoic surroundings were observed. Conclusion For patients suffering from calf muscle area pain and suspicion of tennis leg, a soft tissue ultrasound is a simple tool to confirm the diagnosis. However, in the case of negative sonographic findings, we recommend trying a different positional approach to examine the calf muscles by ultrasound before the diagnosis of tennis leg can be ruled out.

A closed-loop local-global integrated hierarchical estimator (CLGIHE) approach for object tracking using multiple cameras is proposed. The Kalman filter is used in both the local and global estimates. In contrast to existing approaches where the local and global estimations are performed independently, the proposed approach combines local and global estimates into one for mutual compensation. Consequently, the Kalman-filter-based data fusion optimally adjusts the fusion gain based on environment conditions derived from each local estimator. The global estimation outputs are included in the local estimation process. Closed-loop mutual compensation between the local and global estimations is thus achieved to obtain higher tracking accuracy. A set of image sequences from multiple views are applied to evaluate performance. Computer simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed approach successfully tracks objects.