Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subcutaneous Fat Tissue Thickness of the Anterior Neck and Umbilicus in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective. To investigate the differences in thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue of the anterior neck and umbilicus of patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the relationship between thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue of the anterior neck and umbilicus and polysomnographic findings, and the influence of body mass index (BMI), anthropometric findings, and gender. Study Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Tertiary care university hospital. Subject and Methods. Seventy-three patients with OSA and 24 non-OSA patients were evaluated with polysomnography for 1 night. Anthropometric parameters and BMI were also investigated. Subcutaneous fat tissue thickness of anterior neck and umbilicus was assessed using ultrasound. The thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue adjacent to the submandibular gland, isthmus, hyoid, suprasternal notch, and umbilicus was measured with ultrasound. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results. Apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) was significantly and positively correlated with age (P = .016, r2 = 0.244), BMI (P < .001, r2 = 0.416), and anthropometric findings (waist circumference P < .001, r2 = 0.337; hip circumference P = .008, r2 = 0.269; neck circumference P = .002, r2 = 0.309). Minimum oxygen saturation was significantly, negatively correlated with age (P = .002, r2 = −0.310), BMI (P < .001, r2 = −0.404), and anthropometric findings (waist circumference P = .005, r2 = −0.281, hip circumference P < .001, r2 = −0.353, neck circumference P = .010, r2 = −0.261). There were no significant differences between the OSA and non-OSA groups with respect to age (P = .178), gender (P = .189), or ultrasonographic findings for subcutaneous fat tissue thickness adjacent to the submandibular gland (P = .480), thyroid isthmus (P = .311), suprasternal notch (P = .950), umbilicus (P = .691), or hyoid (P = .159). Neck circumference (P = .039) and BMI (P = .014) were significantly higher in the OSA group. Conclusion. These indicate that anterior neck and umbilical subcutaneous fat tissue thickness may not contribute to the severity of OSA.
Examining burnout profiles in relation to health and well‐being in the Veterans Health Administration employee population

The goals of this paper were twofold: (a) To provide a population overview of burnout profiles by occupation in a large, health care sector employee population and (b) to investigate how burnout profiles relate to self-reported health behaviours, chronic conditions, and absenteeism. Burnout profiles were considered by 5 main occupational groups (physicians, nurses, other clinical, administrative, and wage grade [trade, craft, and labor workers]) in survey respondents (n = 86,257 employees). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine how burnout profiles were associated with health controlling for gender, age, race, ethnicity, and occupational group. Employees in the "Frustrated/Burning Up" and "Withdrawing/Burned Out" profiles, respectively, had significantly increased odds of anxiety (OR = 2.17; 99% CI [2.04, 2.31]; OR = 2.21; 99% CI [2.05, 2.38]), depression (OR = 2.06; 99% CI [1.93, 2.20]; OR = 2.20; 99% CI [2.04, 2.38]), sleep disorders (OR = 1.98; 99% CI [1.85, 2.12]; OR = 1.97; 99% CI [1.81, 2.13]), low back disease (OR = 1.60; 99% CI [1.50, 1.71]; OR = 1.58; 99% CI [1.47, 1.70]), physical inactivity (OR = 1.49; 99% CI [1.38, 1.60]; OR = 1.68; 99% CI [1.54, 1.83]), and 5 or more days away from work (OR = 1.74; 99% CI [1.65, 1.85]; OR = 2.15; 99% CI [2.01, 2.30]). Burnout is related to the health of employees. Burnout profiles offer a way to assess patterns of burnout by occupational group and may help customize future interventions.
Ethnicity and prediction of cardiovascular disease: performance of QRISK2 and Framingham scores in a UK tri-ethnic prospective cohort study (SABRE—Southall And Brent REvisited)

Objective To evaluate QRISK2 and Framingham cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores in a tri-ethnic UK population. Design Cohort study. Setting West London. Participants Randomly selected from primary care lists. Follow-up data were available for 87% of traced participants, comprising 1866 white Europeans, 1377 South Asians, and 578 African Caribbeans, aged 40–69 years at baseline (1998–1991). Main outcome measures First CVD events: myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, angina, transient ischaemic attack or stroke reported by participant, primary care or hospital records or death certificate. Results During follow-up, 387 CVD events occurred in men (14%) and 78 in women (8%). Both scores underestimated risk in European and South Asian women (ratio of predicted to observed risk: European women: QRISK2: 0.73, Framingham: 0.73; South Asian women: QRISK2: 0.52, Framingham: 0.43). In African Caribbeans, Framingham over-predicted in men and women and QRISK2 over-predicted in women. Framingham classified 28% of participants as high risk, predicting 54% of all such events. QRISK2 classified 19% as high risk, predicting 42% of all such events. Both scores performed poorly in identifying high risk African Caribbeans; QRISK2 and Framingham identified as high risk only 10% and 24% of those who experienced events. Conclusions Neither score performed consistently well in all ethnic groups. Further validation of QRISK2 in other multi-ethnic datasets, and better methods for identifying high risk African Caribbeans and South Asian women, are required.
Psychosocial Stress Evoked by a Virtual Audience: Relation to Neuroendocrine Activity

A modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was employed to determine whether exposure to a virtual audience using virtual reality (VR) technology would prompt an increase of neuroendocrine activity comparable to that prompted by a real audience. Following an anticipatory period, participants completed a speech or a speech-plus-math challenge in front of either a virtual audience, a panel of judges they were led to believe was behind a one-way mirror, or an audience comprised of confederates. An additional group that had prepared a speech was simply directed to observe the virtual audience but did not deliver the speech. Finally, a control group completed questionnaires for the duration of the experiment. Cortisol samples were obtained upon arrival to the laboratory, just before the challenge, and 15 and 30 minutes after the task. Participants also completed a measure assessing stressor appraisals of the task before and after the challenge. Anticipation of the task was associated with a modest increase of cortisol levels, and a further rise of cortisol was evident in response to the challenge. The neuroendocrine changes evoked by the virtual audience were comparable to those elicited by the imagined audience (behind the one-way mirror) but less than changes evoked by the panel of confederates. Stressor appraisals were higher post-challenge compared to those reported prior to the task; however, appraisals were similar across each group. These data suggest that VR technology may be amenable to evaluating the impact of psychosocial stressors such as the TSST.
An interval method for finding all operating points of non-linear resistive circuits

A new method for finding the set of all d.c. operating points of non-linear electronic circuits is suggested. it is applicable in the case where the circuit equations are written in the hybrid-representation form. In the general case, the non-linear elements involved may be described by non-monotone continuous characteristics. The method suggested is based on interval analysis techniques. Unlike other non-interval methods, this approach guarantees that all operating points will be found within prescribed accuracy in a finite number of steps. The computational efficiency of the present method is illustrated by a numerical example.
Decline in empathy in medical education: how can we stop the rot?

It is hard to reconcile the fresh faced idealism and altruistic aspirations of candidates at interview for medical school, or the optimism shown by junior medical students in their early discussions about the role of the doctor, with the scepticism and apparent detachment of at least some of the world weary graduates who stagger off the end of the production line. This decline in idealism during training will be familiar (and perplexing) to most medical educators and has long been recognised, indeed is enshrined in the old catchphrase that describes the two traditional phases of medical education as precynical and cynical. Waning of idealism is thought to be associated with a decline in empathy, and two papers in this edition explore this important area.
Trends and Trajectories for Explainable, Accountable and Intelligible Systems: An HCI Research Agenda

Advances in artificial intelligence, sensors and big data management have far-reaching societal impacts. As these systems augment our everyday lives, it becomes increasing-ly important for people to understand them and remain in control. We investigate how HCI researchers can help to develop accountable systems by performing a literature analysis of 289 core papers on explanations and explaina-ble systems, as well as 12,412 citing papers. Using topic modeling, co-occurrence and network analysis, we mapped the research space from diverse domains, such as algorith-mic accountability, interpretable machine learning, context-awareness, cognitive psychology, and software learnability. We reveal fading and burgeoning trends in explainable systems, and identify domains that are closely connected or mostly isolated. The time is ripe for the HCI community to ensure that the powerful new autonomous systems have intelligible interfaces built-in. From our results, we propose several implications and directions for future research to-wards this goal.
Gaming capital: Rethinking literacy

This paper is part of the symposium: Gameplay, gameplayers and gaming capital: Exploring intersections between games, education and adolescent subjectivities in virtual worlds PEER REFEREEING REQUIRED In rethinking literacy education in light of unprecedented technological change, this paper reports on adolescent gamers and their accumulation of gaming capital. This is in opposition to more pervasive assumptions about gaming as mindless entertainment, learning simulations, ideological tools and interactive mediums for the masses. We see the need to research the medium of games in their entirety, exploring their uniqueness as a medium--while at the same time--making connections to a wider media ecology (Fuller, 2005) that includes more than the games themselves. This media ecology of videogames is demonstrated in part by the 'paratextual' (Consalvo, 2007) industries that support game play, production and design. The 'paratext' is central to gaming capital in creating individual and group systems of distinction within gaming culture. Because we understand videogames as actions across social fields enacted through the actions of players or 'operators' on software, we also deem it necessary to understand both the operator and machines' diegetic and non-diegetic actions (Galloway, 2006). This distinction allows us to think about games as more than texts, literacy practices and narratives, which highlights games' significance in technoclture as systems (Salen, 2008), procedures (Bogost, 2007), algorithms (Galloway, 2006; Wark, 2007), configurations and code (Lessig, 1999; Manovich, 2001). In conclusion we provide a series of interview questions developed to uncover adolescents' gaming capital. We also propose a heuristic to map a players' total volume of gaming capital to better understand how gaming capital establishes trajectories of exchange between cultural and economic capitals and its implications for literacy education.
Ohmic-Touch: Extending Touch Interaction by Indirect Touch through Resistive Objects

When an object is interposed between a touch surface and a finger/touch pen, the change in impedance caused by the object can be measured by the driver software. This phenomenon has been used to develop new interaction techniques. Unlike previous works that focused on the capacitance component in impedance, Ohmic-Touch enhances touch input modality by sensing resistance. Using 3D printers or inkjet printers with conductive materials and off-the-shelf electronic components/sensors, resistance is easily and precisely controllable. We implement mechanisms on touch surfaces based on the electrical resistance of the object: for example, to sense the touching position on an interposed object, to identify each object, and to sense light, force, or temperature by using resistors and sensors. Additionally, we conduct experimental studies that demonstrate that our technology has a recognition accuracy of the resistance value of 97%.
Respiration, calcification, and excretion of the invasive slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata L.: Implications for carbon, carbonate, and nitrogen fluxes in affected areas

We measured in situ respiration, calcification, and excretion of the slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata L. , and considered both seasonal variations and individual size, to estimate the effects of this exotic species on annual budgets of carbon, carbonate, and nitrogen in the Bay of Brest (France). Respiration, calcification, and excretion rates changed significantly with size and season. Oxygen consumption varied from 6 to 63 µmol O2 g‐1 ash‐free dry weight (AF dry wt) h‐1, which corresponded to a carbon dioxide release that ranged from 2 to 44 µmol CO2 g‐1 AF dry wt h‐1. Maximum respiration rates were observed in summer, and minimum rates were observed in winter. CaCO3 production ranged from 24 to 44 µmol CaCO3 g‐1 AF dry wt h21 from winter to summer, respectively. Ammonium release varied from 0.7 to 3.1 µmol NH4+ g‐1 AF dry wt h‐1, with the highest excretion rate in spring. Total carbon release by C. fornicata in highly colonized zones in the Bay of Brest averaged 290 g C m‐2 yr‐1, carbonate production was ~515 g CaCO3 m‐2 yr‐1, and nitrogen production by ammonium excretion was ~25 g N m‐2 yr‐1. C. fornicata respiration and excretion account for 55% and 85% of the benthic community respiration and excretion, respectively. These results illustrate the importance of this invasive species to carbon and nitrogen cycles, including biogenic carbonate production, in coastal ecosystems.
The structure of the vomeronasal organ in the sheep.

The vomeronasal organ, or organ of Jacobson, lying on either side of the base of the nasal septum, is generally described as being closely related to the olfactory region. Its occurrence is widespread in terrestrial vertebrates, reaching a peak of development in the terrestrial reptiles. In microsmatic mammals including man, it reaches maximal development during foetal life and little remains in the adult. In the domestic species, including horses, sheep, cattle, pigs and dogs, it remains an apparently functional organ of some size in the adult. According to Read (1908) the vomeronasal organ is intimately associated with the olfactory sense, and Negus (1958) says that its most commonly ascribed function is in determination of the flavour of food in the mouth. The vomeronasal organ in the sheep consists of two epithelial tubes with their associated glands, nervous and vascular supply, lying on either side of the base of the nasal septum in the rostral half of the nasal cavity. Each is almost completely surrounded by a vomeronasal cartilage which is incomplete dorsolaterally. The rostral origin of each tube is from the naso-palatine canal, and the blind caudal end of the tube reaches a transverse plane through the second cheek teeth. Communication exists between the tubes and the oral cavity by way of the naso-palatine duct, but the sharp angle at which the vomeronasal organ enters the duct seems to preclude any communication with the nasal cavity.
Soft Grippers Using Micro‐fibrillar Adhesives for Transfer Printing

The adhesive characteristics of fibrillar adhesives on a soft deformable membrane are reported. A soft gripper with an inflatable membrane covered by elastomer mushroom-shaped microfibers have a superior conformation to non-planar 3D part geometries, enabling the transfer printing of various parts serially or in parallel.
Obesity and Appetite Control

Obesity is one of the major challenges to human health worldwide; however, there are currently no effective pharmacological interventions for obesity. Recent studies have improved our understanding of energy homeostasis by identifying sophisticated neurohumoral networks which convey signals between the brain and gut in order to control food intake. The hypothalamus is a key region which possesses reciprocal connections between the higher cortical centres such as reward-related limbic pathways, and the brainstem. Furthermore, the hypothalamus integrates a number of peripheral signals which modulate food intake and energy expenditure. Gut hormones, such as peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1, oxyntomodulin, and ghrelin, are modulated by acute food ingestion. In contrast, adiposity signals such as leptin and insulin are implicated in both short- and long-term energy homeostasis. In this paper, we focus on the role of gut hormones and their related neuronal networks (the gut-brain axis) in appetite control, and their potentials as novel therapies for obesity.
Possession attachment predicts cell phone use while driving.

OBJECTIVE Distracted driving has become an important public health concern. However, little is known about the predictors of this health-risking behavior. One overlooked risk factor for distracted driving is the perceived attachment that one feels toward his or her phone. Prior research has suggested that individuals develop bonds toward objects, and qualitative research suggests that the bond between young drivers and their phones can be strong. It follows that individuals who perceive a strong attachment to their phone would be more likely to use it, even when driving. METHOD In a nationally representative sample of young drivers (17-28 years), participants (n = 1,006) completed a survey about driving behaviors and phone use. Risk perception surrounding cell phone use while driving and perceived attachment to one's phone were assessed by administering factor-analytically derived scales that were created as part of a larger project. RESULTS Attachment toward one's phone predicted the proportion of trips in which a participant reported using their cell phone while driving, beyond that accounted for by risk perception and overall phone use. Further, attachment predicted self-reported distracted driving behaviors, such as the use of social media while driving. CONCLUSIONS Attachment to one's phone may be an important but overlooked risk factor for the engagement of potentially health-risking driving behaviors. Understanding that phone attachment may adversely affect driving behaviors has the potential to inform prevention and intervention efforts designed to reduce distracted driving behaviors, especially in young drivers.
Essential oils reduce autonomous response to pain sensation during self-monitoring of blood glucose among children with diabetes

Abstract Background: Essential oils were proven to possess analgesic activity in adults. Children with diabetes are exposed to highly painful interventions such as self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Objective: An evaluation of the analgesic properties of two essential oils during SMBG in diabetic children. Subjects: We included 73 hospitalized children (age<18 years) with well-controlled type 1 diabetes. Methods: The study extended over a period of 1 month (2 weeks for control group and 1 week for orange and lavender oil application). The measurements were performed four times per day in a shared room during SMBG. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and change of baseline heart rate (ΔHR%). An aromatherapy device was used to disperse essential oils in the testing room. Results: We performed 647 individual measurements of pain intensity and ΔHR%. Girls reported higher VAS scores [median, Me 0.5 (interquartile range, IQR 0–1) vs. 0 (IQR 0–0.5), p=0.0036]. Both age and duration of diabetes correlated with ΔHR% [r=–0.14, p=0.0005; r=–0.12, p=0.0025]. Negative correlations were also noted for VAS/age [r=–0.12, p=0.0030] and VAS/duration of diabetes [r=–0.12, p=0.0034]. Aromatherapy did not alter the VAS score (p=0.40), while ΔHR% decreased with borderline significance (p=0.0639). After adjustment for patient’s age and sex lower ΔHR% was associated with essential oil application (p=0.0252). Aromatherapy did not have any influence on VAS scores in multivariate analysis (p=0.35). Conclusion: Aromatherapy decreased the autonomic response to a painful stimulus by lowering ΔHR%, but did not affect the perception of pain reported by VAS.
Atypical Angioma Serpiginosum

Angioma serpiginosum is an uncommon, acquired vascular nevoid disorder with capillary dilation and proliferation in the papillary dermis. The eruptions are asymptomatic and characterized by grouped, erythematous to violaceous, serpiginous and punctate macules. The condition usually appears in females during adolescence on unilateral lower extremities and the buttocks. We report a rare case with a late onset and atypical distribution of lesions in a 48-year-old female patient who had groups of punctate lesions on her left foot for four to five years. Histopathological examination showed hyperkeratosis and multiple dilated and proliferated capillaries in the papillary dermis. Inflammation and extravasation of red blood cells were not found. According to the clinical and pathological findings, we established a diagnosis of angioma serpiginosum. She was treated with a pulsed dye laser, and the angiomatous lesions subsequently improved.
Hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm with fine tuning operators

This paper introduces a new approach called hybrid particle swarm optimisation like algorithm (hybrid PSO) with fine tuning operators to solve optimisation problems. This method combines the merits of the parameter-free PSO (pf-PSO) and the extrapolated particle swarm optimisation like algorithm (ePSO). In order to accelerate the PSO algorithms to obtain the global optimal solution, three fine tuning operators, namely mutation, cross-over and root mean square variants are introduced. The effectiveness of the fine tuning elements with various PSO algorithms is tested through three benchmark functions along with a few recently developed state-of-the-art methods and the results are compared with those obtained without the fine tuning elements. From several comparative analyses, it is clearly seen that the performance of all the three PSO algorithms (pf-PSO, ePSO, and hybrid PSO) is considerably improved with various fine tuning operators and sometimes more competitive than the recently developed PSO algorithms.