Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of self-reported sleep problems among Chinese adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES This study examined the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems in Chinese adolescents. DESIGN AND SETTING An epidemiological questionnaire survey was carried out in five high schools in Shandong Province of Mainland China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1365 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years comprising 823 boys and 542 girls. MEASUREMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding sleep duration, sleep problems, stressful life events, lifestyles, and personal and family characteristics. RESULTS Mean sleep duration at night was 7.64 hours (SD = 0.86) and decreased with increasing age. Of the sample, 16.9% (95% CI = 13.2-20.5%) reported insomnia symptoms including difficulty initiating sleep (10.8%), difficulty maintaining sleep (6.3%), and early morning awakening (2.1%). Nightmares were reported more frequently by girls (chi2=20.09, p<0.001). Only 2.3% of the sample had ever taken hypnotic medication during the past month. Almost 22% of the subjects went to bed later than 12:00 PM at least once a week. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that greater age, being at senior high school, doing no habitual physical exercise, poor physical health, self-selection of diet, longer distance from home to school, and life stress experienced during the past 12 months were significantly associated with an increased risk of insomnia. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported sleep problems in Chinese adolescents are common and associated with multiple factors. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive programs to prevent sleep problems in adolescents.
Exploring User Behavior and Preferences in the Wild with Mobile Apps: Lessons Learned from Four Case Studies

Mobile apps running on smartphones have not only become a popular means for providing mobile services. Due to their relatively easy and cheap implementation, they have also developed into scientific tools for studying mobile human-computer interaction (HCI) in realistic usage contexts, providing qualitative and quantitative data about usage patterns and user preferences with a high degree of ecological validity. In this paper, we provide some insights into the potential of such apps, which have been gained in four case studies. We describe the rationale of the studies, some general implementation details, as well as insights into user behavior and preferences that are based on the collected data. This way, we hope to stimulate others to perform similar research, and to provide exchangeable standards for data collection through mobile apps.
In vitro and in vivo effects of polyhexamethylene biguanide against herpes simplex virus infection.

PURPOSE The differential diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis frequently includes herpes simplex viral keratitis. Previous in vitro studies with chlorhexidine, a drug with antiacanthamoebic action, have suggested concomitant antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus. We tested another related antiacanthamoebic compound, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), to determine its activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) in vitro and herpes simplex viral keratitis in vivo. METHODS Equal aliquots of HSV-1 (McKrae) strain were incubated in a medium with no PHMB or with PHMB at 0.01, 0.02, or 0.05 for 5 min at 35 degrees C and the inoculum was then titered on a monolayer of E-2 cells (human corneal fibroblasts). Monolayers were examined on consecutive days and the percentage of plaque reduction was calculated. Eighteen rabbits (36 eyes) were inoculated with HSV-1 McKrae strain (10(5) pfu [plaque-forming units]/per eye). Rabbits were divided into three groups and treatment was initiated on day 3 postinfection. Group I received trifluorothymidine, group II received PHMB, and group III received artificial tears, each given five times daily in both eyes until day 10. Daily corneal swabbing to detect viral shedding and slit-lamp examination every 3 days were performed during this period. RESULTS In vitro studies showed 62.5, 100, and 100% plaque reduction with 0.01, 0.02, and 0.05% PHMB, respectively. Slit-lamp examination of the rabbit corneas revealed faster resolution of dendrites in animals in group I treated with trifluorothymidine. Virus was not recoverable from corneal swabs in nine of 10 rabbits in group I by day 5, but all animals in groups II and III were still shedding HSV through day 8. CONCLUSION Although PHMB has potent in vitro activity against HSV, it was not an effective treatment in the in vivo rabbit model of primary HSV keratitis at the concentration commonly used for treatment of Acanthamoeba infection. This suggests that 0.02% PHMB will not provide adequate antiherpetic coverage with treatment of keratitis of undetermined etiology in which the clinical differential diagnosis includes both herpes simplex and Acanthamoeba.
The effect of window size and lead time on pre-impact fall detection accuracy using support vector machine analysis of waist mounted inertial sensor data

Falls are a major cause of death and morbidity in older adults. In recent years many researchers have examined the role of wearable inertial sensors (accelerometers and/or gyroscopes) to automatically detect falls. The primary goal of such fall monitors is to alert care providers of the fall event, who can then commence earlier treatment. Although such fall detection systems may reduce time until the arrival of medical assistance, they cannot help to prevent or reduce the severity of traumatic injury caused by the fall. In the current study, we extend the application of wearable inertial sensors beyond post-impact fall detection, by developing and evaluating the accuracy of a sensor system for detecting falls prior to the fall impact. We used support vector machine (SVM) analysis to classify 7 fall and 8 non-fall events. In particular, we focused on the effect of data window size and lead time on the accuracy of our pre-impact fall detection system using signals from a single waist sensor. We found that our system was able to detect fall events at between 0.0625-0.1875 s prior to the impact with at least 95% sensitivity and at least 90% specificity for window sizes between 0.125-1 s.
Synopsis on the Linkage of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease with Chronic Diseases

Neurodegeneration is the progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, which ultimately leads to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Even after the recent significant advances in neurobiology, the above‐mentioned disorders continue to haunt the global population. Several studies have suggested the role of specific environmental and genetic risk factors associated with these disorders. However, the exact mechanism associated with the progression of these disorders still needs to be elucidated. In the recent years, sophisticated research has revealed interesting association of prominent neurodegenerative disorders such as AD and PD with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Several common molecular mechanisms such as generation of free radicals, oxidative DNA damage, aberrations in mitochondrial DNA, and dysregulation of apoptosis have been highlighted as possible points of connection. The present review summarizes the possible mechanism of coexistence of AD and PD with other chronic diseases.
Benefits of localization and speech perception with multiple noise sources in listeners with a short-electrode cochlear implant.

BACKGROUND Research suggests that for individuals with significant low-frequency hearing, implantation of a short-electrode cochlear implant may provide benefits of improved speech perception abilities. Because this strategy combines acoustic and electrical hearing within the same ear while at the same time preserving low-frequency residual acoustic hearing in both ears, localization abilities may also be improved. However, very little research has focused on the localization and spatial hearing abilities of users with a short-electrode cochlear implant. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate localization abilities for listeners with a short-electrode cochlear implant who continue to wear hearing aids in both ears. A secondary purpose was to document speech perception abilities using a speech-in-noise test with spatially separate noise sources. RESEARCH DESIGN Eleven subjects that utilized a short-electrode cochlear implant and bilateral hearing aids were tested on localization and speech perception with multiple noise locations using an eight-loudspeaker array. Performance was assessed across four listening conditions using various combinations of cochlear implant and/or hearing aid use. RESULTS Results for localization showed no significant difference between using bilateral hearing aids and bilateral hearing aids plus the cochlear implant. However, there was a significant difference between the bilateral hearing aid condition and the implant plus use of a contralateral hearing aid for all 11 subjects. Results for speech perception showed a significant benefit when using bilateral hearing aids plus the cochlear implant over use of the implant plus only one hearing aid. CONCLUSION Combined use of both hearing aids and the cochlear implant show significant benefits for both localization and speech perception in noise for users with a short-electrode cochlear implant. These results emphasize the importance of low-frequency information in two ears for the purpose of localization and speech perception in noise.
Forward scattering of loaded and unloaded antennas

Forward scattering of antennas is related to antenna performance via the forward scattering sum rule. The forward scattering sum rule is an integral identity that shows that a weighted integral of the extinction cross section over all spectrum is proportional to the static polarizabiliy of the antenna structure. Here, the forward scattering sum rule is experimentally veri ed for loaded, short circuit, and open circuit cylindrical dipole antennas. It is also shown that the absorption e ciency cannot be greater than 1/2 for reciprocal linearly polarized lossless matched antennas with a symmetric radiation pattern.
Mapping the proteome of thylakoid membranes by de novo sequencing of intermembrane peptide domains

The proteome of a membrane compartment has been investigated by de novo sequence analysis after tryptic in gel digestion. Protein complexes and corresponding protein subunits were separated by a 2‐D Blue Native (BN)/SDS‐PAGE system. The transmembrane proteins of thylakoid membranes from a higher plant (Hordeum vulgare L.) were identified by the primary sequence of hydrophilic intermembrane peptide domains using nano ESI‐MS/MS‐analysis. Peptide analysis revealed that lysine residues of membrane proteins are primarily situated in the intermembrane domains. We concluded that esterification of lysine residues with fluorescent dyes may open the opportunity to label membrane proteins still localized in native protein complexes within the membrane phase. We demonstrate that covalent labelling of membrane proteins with the fluorescent dye Cy3™ allows high sensitive visualization of protein complexes after 2‐D BN/SDS‐PAGE. We show that pre‐electrophoretic labelling of protein subunits supplements detection of proteins by post‐electrophoretic staining with silver and CBB and assists in completing the identification of the membrane proteome.
Racial Differences in Insular Connectivity and Thickness and Related Cognitive Impairment in Hypertension

Hypertensive African–Americans have a greater risk of cognitive impairment than hypertensive Caucasian–Americans. The neural basis of this increased risk is yet unknown. Neuroimaging investigations suggest that the normal neural activity comprises complex interactions between brain networks. Recent studies consistently demonstrate that the insula, part of the salience network, provides modulation effects (information flow) over the default-mode and central-executive networks in cognitively normal subjects, and argue that the modulation effect is declined in cognitive impairment. The purpose of this study is to examine the information flow at the nodes of three networks using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in cognitively impaired hypertensive individuals with the African–Americans and the Caucasian–Americans races, and to compare the thickness of impaired node between two racial groups. Granger causality methodology was used to calculate information flow between networks using resting state functional MRI data, and FreeSurfer was used to measure cortical thickness from T1-weighted structural images. We found that negative information flow of the insula in both African–Americans and Caucasian–Americans, which was in contrast with previously reported positive information flow in this region of normal individuals. Also, significantly greater negative information flow in insula was found in African–Americans than Caucasian–Americans (Wilcoxon rank sum; Z = 2.06; p < 0.05). Significantly, lower insula thickness was found in African–Americans compared with Caucasian–Americans (median = 2.797 mm vs. 2.897 mm) (Wilcoxon rank sum; Z = 2.09; p < 0.05). Finally, the insula thickness correlated with the global cognitive testing measured by Montreal cognitive assessment (Spearman’s correlation; r = 0.30; p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the insula is a potential biomarker for the racial disparity in cognitive impairment of hypertensive individuals.
Nasalance measures in Cantonese-speaking women.

OBJECTIVES To establish and evaluate stimulus materials for nasalance measurement in Cantonese speakers, to provide normative data for Cantonese-speaking women, and to evaluate session-to-session reliability of nasalance measures. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING One hundred forty-one Cantonese-speaking women with normal resonance who were students in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong. PROCEDURES Participants read aloud four speech stimuli: oral sentences, nasal sentences, an oral paragraph (similar to the Zoo Passage), and an oral-nasal paragraph (similar to the Rainbow Passage). Data were collected and analyzed using the Kay Nasometer 6200. Data collection was repeated for a subgroup of speakers (n = 28) on a separate day. Nasalance materials were evaluated by using statistical tests of difference and correlation. RESULTS Group mean (standard deviation) nasalance scores for oral sentences, nasal sentences, oral paragraph, and oral-nasal paragraph were 16.79 (5.99), 55.67 (7.38), 13.68 (7.16), and 35.46 (6.22), respectively. There was a significant difference in mean nasalance scores for oral versus nasal materials. Correlations between stimuli were as expected, ranging from 0.43 to 0.91. Session-to-session reliability was within 5 points for over 95% of speakers for the oral stimuli but for less than 76% of speakers for the nasal and oral-nasal stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Standard nasalance materials have been developed for Cantonese, and normative data have been established for Cantonese women. Evaluation of materials indicated acceptable differentiation between oral and nasal materials. Two stimuli (nasal sentences and oral paragraph) are recommended for future use. Comparison with findings from other languages showed similarities in scores; possible language-specific differences are discussed. Session-to-session reliability was poorer for nasal than oral stimuli.
Aerobic fitness, fatigue, and physical disability in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To measure aerobic fitness, muscle strength, fatigue, and physical disability in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS Ninety-three patients with SLE and 41 sedentary controls were recruited into the study. Aerobic fitness was assessed by monitoring peak and submaximal oxygen uptake, heart rate, duration of exercise, and perceived exertion during a treadmill-walking test. Strength was measured using voluntary isometric quadriceps contraction. Symptomatic measures included physical and mental fatigue, mood, sleep, and functional incapacity. RESULTS Compared to sedentary controls patients with SLE had significantly reduced levels of aerobic fitness (mean VO2peak SLE patients, 23.2 ml/kg/min vs controls, 29.6 ml/kg/min; p < 0.001) and reduced exercise capacity (mean exercise duration SLE patients, 10.4 min vs controls, 13.1 min; p < 0.001). The SLE patients also had reduced muscle strength (mean maximum voluntary quadriceps contraction SLE patients, 298 N vs controls, 376 N; p = 0.003). Resting lung function was also significantly worse in the SLE patients (mean FEV, SLE patients, 2.6 l vs controls, 2.9 l; p = 0.002). Fatigue (p < 0.001), depressed mood (p < 0.001), poor sleep quality (p < 0.001), and functional incapacity (p < 0.001) were all significantly greater in the SLE patients. Linear regression models suggested that physical disability correlated with aerobic fitness (p < 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.005), body mass index (p = 0.01), and depression (p = 0.05) and that fatigue correlated with depression (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients with SLE were less fit with reduced exercise capacity, reduced muscle strength, more fatigue, and greater disability compared to sedentary controls. Treatments developed to manage depression and improve aerobic fitness should be considered in the overall treatment of fatigue and disability in SLE.
An In Vitro Model to Evaluate the Accuracy of Guided Implant Placement Based on the Surgeon's Experience.

PURPOSE To evaluate whether there are differences in the accuracy of guided implant placement based on the surgeon's experience level. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen surgeons, divided into three groups based on experience level (group I, expert; group II, intermediate; group III, novice), placed six implants in five identical mandibles (75 mandibles and 450 implants). A planning and stereolithographic guide was generated using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and implant planning software (Nemoscan, Nemotec) and was used in all cases. After the implants were placed in each mandible, another scan was taken, and the three-dimensional (3D) images of each scan were blended with the images in the planning guide to evaluate any deviations. Any differences in platform and apex position and the angle of the implant were measured. The differences between each surgeon and each group were compared using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). RESULTS There were significant differences in the implant angles among the three groups (P = .001). Group III (novices) presented the greatest angle deviation and showed more deviations than group I (experts) (P = .024) and group II (intermediate) (P = .001) did. There were no significant differences between groups I and II (P = .368). There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of platform (P = .135) and apex position (P = .092). CONCLUSION Some degree of deviation can occur between the planned placement of the implant and its definitive placement, and this deviation may be influenced by the surgeon's experience. Expert surgeons show less angle deviation than novice surgeons. Although these differences (less than 0.5 degrees) are statistically significant, they may be considered clinically irrelevant.
Determinants of Nordic entrepreneurship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of entrepreneurial activity in the Nordic countries over the period of years 2004-2013 to provide supportive material for the Nordic entrepreneurial policy makers with specific focus on the role of necessity/opportunity-driven entrepreneurship, administrative barriers and the research and development (R&D) sector. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative study employed panel regression analysis with fixed effects estimator to test the impact of determinants on entrepreneurial activity operationalized as a rate of registered business activity and as an established business ownership rate. Findings The results obtained for the both dependent variables did not substantially differ from each other or the supported hypothesis stating a positive relationship between unemployment rate, GDP per capita and entrepreneurial activity. Also a negative impact of administrative barriers was found. However, no statistically significant positive impact of the R&D sector was observed. Practical implications Nordic entrepreneurial policy makers should put more effort into the reduction of administrative barriers towards founding enterprises and support entrepreneurship during the times of higher unemployment rates. Further evaluation of Nordic R&D policies is strongly needed, since no positive impacts towards entrepreneurship were found. Originality/value The empirical analysis was conducted based on the research gap in the studies related to the Nordic entrepreneurial policies and perceived need for the policy recommendations that are provided.
Dynamic feedback linearization applied to asymptotic tracking: Generalization about the turbocharged diesel engine outputs choice

In this paper we apply dynamic feedback linearization to the tracking problem for a turbocharged diesel engine (TDE) equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve and variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). The model used here is the third-order mean-value model, a reduction of the eighth-order mean-value one, see [13], for sake of simplicity. Our goal is to track desired values of suitably chosen outputs. In fact, we first plan to control the input manifold pressure and the compressor mass flow rate instead of the air fuel ratio (AFR) and the EGR fraction. Unfortunately, the former lead to a non-minimum phase system while the latter are not accessible for measurements in a vehicle, see [7]. We thus replace the problem of tracking of desired values of the original output y (input manifold pressure and compressor mass flow rate) by that of tracking a suitably constructed modified output for which the values to be tracked are specifically chosen: namely, when the modified output ỹ approaches them, the original output converges to the desired values. Simulation results are presented.
LINEAR VERSUS NONLINEAR ALLOCATION RULES IN RISK SHARING UNDER FINANCIAL FAIRNESS

Abstract In a risk exchange, participants trade a privately owned risk for a share in a pool. If participants agree on a valuation rule, it can be decided whether or not, according to the given rule, these trades take place at equal value. If equality of values holds for all participants, then the exchange is said to be “financially fair”. It has been shown by Bühlmann and Jewell (1979) that, under mild assumptions, the constraint of financial fairness singles out a unique solution among the set of all Pareto efficient risk exchanges. In this paper, we find that an analogous statement is true if we limit ourselves to linear exchanges. Conditions are provided for existence and uniqueness of linear sharing rules that are both financially fair and Pareto efficient among all linear sharing rules. The performance of the linear rule is compared to that of the general (nonlinear) rule in a number of specific cases.
Folate and Cancer Prevention—Where to Next? Counterpoint

It is an interesting task to write a “counterpoint” to Dr. Kim's article on folate and cancer prevention ([1][1]). We both agree that there are positive and negative aspects to the B-vitamin folate in cancer prevention and the terms “Janus-head” and “double-edged sword” have been used.