Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlations with REM sleep behavior disorder severity in isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorders patients

Abstract Objectives The pathogenesis of isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorders (iRBD) is poorly understood. The severity of RBD may reflect its pathogenesis. Methods We compared motor function and non-motor symptoms (NMSs) between iRBD patients and healthy volunteers. We correlated motor function, NMSs, and striatal dopaminergic activity with RBD severity using video-polysomnography. Results Twenty-one iRBD patients and 17 controls participated. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III scores were higher in patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). There was no difference in upper extremity function between patients and controls (right, p = 0.220; left, p = 0.209), but gait was slower in iRBD patients (walking time, p < 0.001; number of steps, p < 0.001). The mean value of the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Exam and Clinical Dementia Rating were lower in patients (p = 0.006, p = 0.003, respectively). Patients with were also more depressed (p = 0.002), had decreased olfactory function (p < 0.001), reported more frequent sleep/fatigue episodes (p < 0.001), worse attention/memory capacity (p < 0.001), gastrointestinal problems (p = 0.009), urinary problems (p = 0.007), and pain (p = 0.083). Further, iRBD patients reported more frequent sleep-related disturbances (p = 0.004), but no difference in daytime sleepiness (p = 0.663). Disease severity was correlated with pain (r = 0.686, p = 0.002) and visuospatial function (r= −0.507, p = 0.038). There were no correlations between RBD severity and striatal dopaminergic activities (p > 0.09). Conclusions iRBD is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder, and gait abnormalities may be a disease characteristic, possibly related to the akinetic-rigid phenotype of Parkinson’s disease. The correlation between pain/visuospatial dysfunction and RBD severity may be related to its pathogenesis.
Numerical study of airflow and heat transfer in an air-cooled room with different inlet positions

This study is focused to airflow and heat transfer analyses in an air-cooled room. Three-dimensional numerical results of a rectangular room considering three different inlet configurations are presented. The study was carried out considering turbulent flow and the radiative exchange between the walls. A vertical wall receives a constant heat flux, and the opposite wall is maintained at a uniform and constant temperature; the remaining walls are adiabatic. The air inlet velocity was 0.5 m/s and the emissivity of the walls was considered as 0.8. The mathematical model was solved numerically with Computational Fluid Dynamics software. The temperature fields, flow patterns, heat transfer coefficients, and temperature distribution effectiveness are presented and discussed. It was found that the heat transfer due to the radiative effect is around 50% for the three cases studied; besides, the heat transfer coefficients and temperature distribution effectiveness are highly dependent on the inlet position.
Fiber Bragg grating coherence spectrum modeling, simulation, and characteristics

The fiber Bragg grating (FBG) coherence spectrum, which comes from mode coupling with both core-bounded and cladding-bounded modes, was modeled and simulated using a dynamic mode selecting rule together with the coupling equations. Grating saturation effects were included in the index distribution modeling for its significant influence on the coupling process. The grating spectrum under normal experimental testing conditions was modeled and simulated for the purpose of experimental analysis and device design.
A Study of Waiting And Service Costs of A Multi-Server Queuing Model In A Specialist Hospital

The effect of queuing in relation to the time spent by patients to access clinical services is increasingly becoming a major source of concern to most health –care providers. This is because keeping patients waiting too long could result to cost to them (waiting cost). Providing too much service capacity to operate a system involves excessive cost. But not providing enough service capacity results in excessive waiting time and cost. In this study, the queuing characteristics at the Riverside Specialist Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre , Makurdi was analysed using a Multi-server queuing Model and the Waiting and service Costs determined with a view to determining the optimal service level. Data for this study was collected at the Riverside specialist clinic for four weeks through observations, interviews and by administering questionnaire. The data was analysed using TORA optimization Software as well as using descriptive analysis. The results of the analysis showed that average queue length, waiting time of patients as well as overutilization of doctors at the Clinic could be reduced at an optimal server level of 12 doctors and at a minimum total cost as against the present server level of 10 doctors with high Total Cost which include waiting and service costs. This model can also be used by decision and other policy makers to solve other Multi-server queuing problems.
Exploring the Determinants of Urban Green Space Utilization Based on Microblog Check-In Data in Shanghai, China

Urban green space has significant social, ecological, cultural and economic value. This study uses social media data to examine the spatiotemporal utilization of major parks in Shanghai and explore the determinants of their recreational attraction. Methods: Based on microblog check-in data between 2012 and 2018 across 17 parks in Shanghai, we investigated the patterns at different temporal scales (weekly, seasonal and annual) and across workdays and weekends by using log-linear regression models. Results: Our findings indicate that both internal and external factors affect park utilization. In particular, the presence of sports facilities significantly contributes to higher visit frequency. Factors such as the number of subway stations nearby, scenic quality and popularity have a positive impact on check-in numbers, while negative factors affecting park use are number of roads, ticket price and average surrounding housing price. Across different temporal scales, the use patterns of visitors have obvious seasonal and monthly tendencies, and the differences of workday and weekend models lie in external factors’ impacts. Conclusions: In order to achieve the goal of better serving the visitors, renewal of urban green spaces in megacities should consider these influential factors, increase sports facilities, subway stations nearby and improve scenic quality, popularity and water quality. This study on spatiotemporal utilization of urban parks can help enhance comprehensive functions of urban parks and be helpful for urban renewal strategies.
Evaluating Marginal Internalities: A New Approach

Consumers of sin goods often partially ignore the health costs of consumption and thus impose an internality on themselves. This paper develops a new method for the estimation of the marginal internality. It uses a model of a biased sin good consumer who faces uncertain health harms and receives mandatory health insurance. It shows that the marginal internality can be identified by observing how sin good demand reacts to changes in health insurance coverage. I calibrate the model to sugary drinks consumption. My results are consistent with measurements from surveys that directly elicit consumers’ biases.
Influence of Electroconvection on Chronopotentiograms of an Anion-Exchange Membrane in Solutions of Weak Polybasic Acid Salts

Visualization of electroconvective (EC) vortices at the undulated surface of an AMX anion-exchange membrane (Astom, Osaka, Japan) was carried out in parallel with the measurement of chronopotentiograms. Weak polybasic acid salts, including 0.02 M solutions of tartaric (NaHT), phosphoric (NaH2PO4), and citric (NaH2Cit) acids salts, and NaCl were investigated. It was shown that, for a given current density normalized to the theoretical limiting current calculated by the Leveque equation (i/ilimtheor), EC vortex zone thickness, dEC, decreases in the order NaCl > NaHT > NaH2PO4 > NaH2Cit. This order is inverse to the increase in the intensity of proton generation in the membrane systems under study. The higher the intensity of proton generation, the lower the electroconvection. This is due to the fact that protons released into the depleted solution reduce the space charge density, which is the driver of EC. In all studied systems, a region in chronopotentiograms between the rapid growth of the potential drop and the attainment of its stationary values corresponds to the appearance of EC vortex clusters. The amplitude of the potential drop oscillations in the chronopotentiograms is proportional to the size of the observed vortex clusters.
Design of small-size wide-bandwidth microstrip-patch antennas

Several designs for small-size wide-bandwidth microstrip antennas are examined through simulation and experiment. Designs are presented based on two wideband patch antennas: the U-slot patch antenna, and the L-probe-fed patch antenna. Several techniques are utilized to reduce the resonant length of these wideband microstrip-patch antennas: increasing the dielectric constant of the microwave substrate material, the addition of a shorting wall between the conducting patch and the ground plane, and the addition of a shorting pin between the conducting patch and the ground plane. Simulation and experimental results confirm that the size of the antennas can be reduced by as much as 94%, while maintaining impedance bandwidths in excess of 20%.
VISIBLE DISTANCES IN SIMULATED NIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS WITH FULL AND DIPPED HEADLIGHTS

Five experiments are reported in which visible distances on the near side of the road were measured in a situation in which two cars meet in the dark : (1)Both ears had full headlights or both had dipped symmetrical headlights. Full headlights were found to give longer visible distances during the whole meeting. (2)The same lighting conditions were compared taking signal reflectance into consideration. The higher the reflectance, the greater the difference. (3)The same lighting conditions were compared in simulated hill mooting situations. Full headlights still gave longer visible distances. (4)Symmetrical and asymmetrical dipped headlights of types common in Sweden were compared. As a source of glare in a meeting situation they were equal, although visible distance was considerably longer with the asymmetrical type. (5)Full headlights and asymmetrical dipped headlights were compared. Full headlights gave longer visible distances. These results indicate that the dipping of headlights, while cutting down t.
Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion induces the release of IL-17A to regulate cell inflammation, apoptosis and barrier damage

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury promotes the release of IL-17A, and previous studies have indicated that TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is an important signaling molecule in the regulatory function of IL-17A. The present study aimed to explore the potential effects of IL-17A release in intestinal I/R injury, and to investigate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Initially, the expression levels of TAK1 and JNK in a hypoxia/reoxygenation model were determined, and the effects of TAK1-knockdown on JNK phosphorylation and the viability, inflammation, apoptosis and barrier function of Caco-2 cells were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, TUNEL and transepithelial electrical resistance assays, respectively. Subsequently, an antibody targeting IL-17A was used, and the effects of the IL-17A antibody on the expression levels of TAK1 as well as cell viability, inflammation, apoptosis and barrier function were determined. The results of the present study demonstrated that TAK1-knockdown markedly reduced JNK phosphorylation and improved the levels of cell viability, inflammation, apoptosis and barrier function via the MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, treatment with the IL-17A antibody inhibited the expression of TAK1, and reversed the aforementioned effects of TAK1 on Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, intestinal I/R induces the release of IL-17A to regulate cell viability, inflammation, apoptosis and barrier damage via the TAK1/MAPK signaling pathway.
Car-Following Interaction and the Definition of Free-Moving Vehicles on Two-Lane Rural Highways

This paper presents an investigation into car-following interactions on two-lane rural highways. Empirical data from several study sites on two-lane and four-lane rural highways in the state of Montana were used in this investigation. Three separate yet relevant analyses are presented in this paper. The first analysis involves a preliminary characterization of time headways and their distributions and shows how they are affected by passing restrictions on two-lane highways. The second analysis presented in this paper involves an investigation of speed-headway relationship to establish a headway threshold that could be used in defining free-moving vehicles on two-lane highways. The third and last analysis investigates the "following by choice" phenomenon on two-lane highways using data from two-lane as well as four-lane study sites. The study found that the car-following interaction generally ceases when headways exceed a value of approximately six seconds. Also, a significant proportion of drivers choose to maintain relatively short headways while following other vehicles on two-lane highways regardless of passing restrictions.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Utilization among Wolaita Sodo University Students, Ethiopia: A Mixed Method Approach

Background Youths have been facing different sexual and reproductive health problems such as HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess reproductive health services utilization and their associated factors among Wolaita Sodo University students in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. Methods We conducted an institutionally-based mixed-method study among 759 regular undergraduate university students. Multistage random sampling and purposive sampling techniques have been used to recruit students for the quantitative and qualitative studies, respectively. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A logistic regression model was used for quantitative data analysis, whereas thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. We used open-code software-assisted qualitative data analysis. The statistical significance was declared at a P value less than 0.05. Results We found that 378 (49.8%) (95% CI: 46.20–53.34) of respondents had utilized sexual and reproductive health services within the 12 months preceding the current survey. Being a first-year student (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01–2.46), having ever had sexual intercourse (AOR = 5.12, 95% CI: 3.31, 7.96), participating in peer-to-peer discussion (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02–2.02), and having ever had sexual transmitted infection syndrome (AOR = 3.91, 95% CI: 1.41–10.85) have increased the odds of using sexual and reproductive health services. Conclusion Sexual and reproductive health services utilization among university students was inadequate and affected by several factors. Therefore, strengthening peer support networks and addressing the gap in services were highly recommended.
Biochar Enriched with Buffalo Slurry Improved Soil Nitrogen and Carbon Dynamics, Nutrient Uptake and Growth Attributes of Wheat by Reducing Leaching Losses of Nutrients

The present investigation was conducted to understand the role of enriched biochar on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics, leaching losses of nutrients, and growth attributes of wheat. Buffalo slurry (BS) was used to enrich the biochar for 24 h and 2% biochar (SB) or enriched biochar (SEB) was used. Enrichment of biochar with BS as SEB improved the C and N contents of biochar by 33–310% and 41–286% respectively. The application of biochar (SB) and enriched biochar (SEB) reduced the net nitrification by 81% and 94%, ammonification by 48% and 74%, and carbon dioxide by 50% and 92% respectively as compared to control. The leaching losses minerals i.e., C (by 30%), N (by 125%), P (by 50%), K (by 82%), Na (by 9%), Ca (by 24%), and Mg (by 12%) was decreased in SEB treatments compared to control. The soil enzyme activities, microbial biomass (MBC and MBN), wheat agronomy, soil bulk density and soil pore density, mineral uptake from the soil, and mineral contents in the plant body were improved in the SEB as compared to SB and control treatments. Our results revealed that the biochar enrichment process could improve the C and N storage in the soil reservoir and lower the environmental risks to soil and water.
Use of Paradata to Assess the Quality and Functionality of the American Community Survey 1

Many of the recent discussions of paradata have focused on survey operations and nonresponse weighting adjustments. In this capacity, paradata have been used to optimize call back schedules, and interviewer observations have been used to supplement information from non-responding households. However, using paradata generated by the respondents has not been given as much attention. Collecting this type of information can lead to a better understanding of how a respondent interacts with and understands a survey, as well as provide researchers with tools to reduce measurement error. As part of the April 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) Internet Test, the Census Bureau inserted JavaScript code into every page of the online instrument to capture a vast amount of paradata, along with respondent answers. Specifically, all clicked links were captured (navigational buttons as well as radio buttons, check boxes, help, etc.), along with timestamps, field values, errors rendered, invalid logins, timeouts, and logouts. These data were collected to help evaluate the quality of the ACS Internet instrument by making sure respondents were using the instrument as expected. Additionally, these paradata can help identify problematic screens or other issues with the instrument that might impact data quality. This paper analyzes the paradata collected during the 2011 ACS Internet Test. Specifically, it discusses the authentication procedures, problematic screens (as determined by errors, use of help, and breakoffs), response times, and data quality indicators. It will discuss the potential problems with the instrument, things that worked well, and plans for future research based on the findings from this test.
PATH ANALYSES OF YIELD AND YIELD-RELATED TRAITS OF COMMON VETCH (Vicia sativa L.) UNDER DIFFERENT RAINFALL CONDITIONS

Bu arastirma farkli yagis kosullarinda (yuksek, orta ve dusuk; sirasiyla 707.9, 597.1 ve 319.5 mm) korelasyon katsaysi, path ve stepwise analizleri kullanilarak yaygin figin tohum verimine etki eden karakterlerin belirlenmesi amaciyla yurutulmustur. Denemeler tesaduf bloklari deneme deseninde 3 tekrarlamali olarak Carsamba, Bafra ve Gokhoyuk’te 2003-2004 yetistirme peryodunda kurulmustur. Yuksek ve orta yagis kosullarinda tohum verimi hasat indeksi ve olgunlasma gun sayisi ile onemli iliski gostermistir. Dusuk yagis kosullarinda ise tohum verimi bin tane agirligi haric diger tum karakterlerle onemli derecede iliskiye sahip olmustur. Tum yagis kosullarinda hasat indeksi ve biyolojik verim tohum veriminin artmasina direkt olarak etki etmistir. Stepwise analizi sonuclarina gore, yuksek yagis kosullarinda tohum verimine % 95.78 oraninda biyolojik verim, bakla sayisi, olgunlasma gun sayisi ve hasat indeksi etki ederken, orta yagis kosularinda tohum verimine % 98.21 ve dusuk yagis kosullarinda % 98.24 oraninda biyolojik verim, bakla sayisi ve hasat indeksi etki etmistir. Yuksek, orta ve dusuk yagis kosullarinda yaygin figin tohum verimini artirmak icin hasat indeksi ve biyolojik verim birincil derecede seleksiyon kriteri olarak kullanilabilir
Anticipation of Usability Problems by Practitioners

In studying anticipation of usability problems a variety of approaches may be adopted. Some are characterised by experimental control, others leave room for exploration. This paper discusses consequences of adopting a particular approach in an empirical study carried out at TU Delft. Results from our approach are presented together with discussion of possible consequences of a more experimentally controlled approach. In our study twenty practitioners, such as designers and ergonomists, identified potential usability problems on the basis of design models and tapes of users' trials with these design models. Large inter-individual differences emerged, mainly because the practitioners adopted a variety of procedures and drew from different sources of knowledge and experience. The adopted procedures were studied to locate sources for inter-individual differences, in order to improve methods of anticipation.
Urban studies in India across the millennial turn: Histories and futures

The millennial turn saw a distinct efflorescence in scholarship on urban India. This essay introduces a Virtual Special Issue on urban studies in India that showcases a selection of articles from the journal’s archives. It traces the disciplinary, thematic and methodological shifts that have marked this millennial turn. On the one hand, the social science of the urban has had a statist bent, reacting to the policy focus on cities as growth engines in the post-liberalisation era. On the other hand, critical urban studies has brought attention to the unregulated, deregulated, unplanned and unintended city produced by dynamic processes of informality acting overtly or covertly against the state’s neoliberal agendas. This introductory essay aims to examine the ways this interplay has unfolded both in the pages of this journal and elsewhere. It locates the Virtual Special Issue selection within a broader review of the state of scholarship in Indian urban studies and marks out areas for productive interventions in the future study of Indian cities.
Antimicrobial Prescription Practices for Outpatients with Cystitis: A Multicenter, Medical Record-Based Study

To promote antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and appropriate antibiotic use, we studied antimicrobial prescription rates for uncomplicated cystitis, a common outpatient disease requiring antibiotic treatment in Japan. This multicenter retrospective study was performed from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020, targeting outpatients aged ≥20 years whose medical records revealed International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes suggesting uncomplicated cystitis (N300). We divided eligible cases into two age groups (20–49 years and ≥50 years) and defined broad-spectrum antimicrobials as fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, and faropenem. Primary and secondary outcomes were defined as the prescription rates of broad-spectrum antimicrobials for the disease and the association of antimicrobial types with recurrence. The data of 1,445 patients were collected and that of 902 patients were analyzed. The overall proportion of broad-spectrum antimicrobial prescriptions was 69.1%. The broad-spectrum agents were prescribed frequently in the older group, male patients, and internal medicine. Recurrence was observed in 37 (4.1%) cases, and age, sex, or antimicrobial types were not associated with the recurrence. Hence, approximately two-thirds of antimicrobials prescribed for uncomplicated cystitis were broad-spectrum agents. Administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobials was not associated with the prevention of the recurrence of cystitis.
Glymphatic dysfunction in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder

This study aimed to evaluate glymphatic‐system function in patients with isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) in comparison with healthy controls by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) along the perivascular space (DTI‐ALPS) method. We hypothesized that patients with iRBD may show glymphatic‐system dysfunction.