Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing for the Extremes: Modeling Drivers’ Response Time to Take Back Control From Automation Using Bayesian Quantile Regression

Objective Understanding the factors that affect drivers’ response time in takeover from automation can help guide the design of vehicle systems to aid drivers. Higher quantiles of the response time distribution might indicate a higher risk of an unsuccessful takeover. Therefore, assessments of these systems should consider upper quantiles rather than focusing on the central tendency. Background Drivers’ responses to takeover requests can be assessed using the time it takes the driver to take over control. However, all the takeover timing studies that we could find focused on the mean response time. Method A study using an advanced driving simulator evaluated the effect of takeover request timing, event type at the onset of a takeover, and visual demand on drivers’ response time. A mixed effects model was fit to the data using Bayesian quantile regression. Results Takeover request timing, event type that precipitated the takeover, and the visual demand all affect driver response time. These factors affected the 85th percentile differently than the median. This was most evident in the revealed stopped vehicle event and conditions with a longer time budget and scenes with lower visual demand. Conclusion Because the factors affect the quantiles of the distribution differently, a focus on the mean response can misrepresent actual system performance. The 85th percentile is an important performance metric because it reveals factors that contribute to delayed responses and potentially dangerous outcomes, and it also indicates how well the system accommodates differences between drivers.
Plasma vs. serum in circulating tumor DNA measurement: characterization by DNA fragment sizing and digital droplet polymerase chain reaction

Abstract Background Choosing the specimen type is the first step of the pre-analytical process. Previous reports suggested plasma as the optimal specimen for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. However, head-to-head comparisons between plasma and serum using platforms with high analytical sensitivity, such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), are limited, and several recent studies have supported the clinical utility of serum-derived ctDNA. This study aimed to compare the DNA profiles isolated from plasma and serum, characterize the effects of the differences between specimens on ctDNA measurement, and determine the major contributors to these differences. Methods We isolated cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from 119 matched plasma/serum samples from cancer patients and analyzed the cfDNA profiles by DNA fragment sizing. We then assessed KRAS mutations in ctDNA from matched plasma/serum using ddPCR. Results The amount of large DNA fragments was increased in serum, whereas that of cfDNA fragments (<800 bp) was similar in both specimens. ctDNA was less frequently detected in serum, and the KRAS-mutated fraction in serum was significantly lower than that in plasma. The differences in ctDNA fractions between the two specimen types correlated well with the amount of large DNA fragments and white blood cell and neutrophil counts. Conclusions Our results provided detailed insights into the differences between plasma and serum using DNA fragment sizing and ddPCR, potentially contributing to ctDNA analysis standardization. Our study also suggested that using plasma minimizes the dilution of tumor-derived DNA and optimizes the sensitivity of ctDNA analysis. So, plasma should be the preferred specimen type.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Subtalar Kalix II Arthroereisis for a Symptomatic Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot

Background. The purpose of this study is to evaluate functional and radiological outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis in the treatment of symptomatic pediatric flexible flatfeet. Methods. A total of 16 patients (26 feet) were treated with a Kalix II as subtalar motion blocker between 2009 and 2014. Calcaneal pitch (CP) and Meary’s angle (MA) were measured on radiographs preoperatively, directly postoperatively, and at follow-up 47 ± 17 (range 19-79) months. Patient satisfaction surveys were used to assess functional outcome and patient satisfaction. Results. Surgery was performed mostly for pain, walking problems, or a combination of both at a mean age of 12.5 ± 1.5 (range 10-15) years. Symptoms were relieved in 62.5% of patients in the postoperative phase and increased to 68.75% at follow-up. A statistically significant increase in CP of 2.8° and decrease in MA of 14.0° was observed directly postoperatively, which persisted during the follow-up period irrespective of Kalix removal. Revision surgery was necessary in 6 cases (23%) because of arthroereisis migration. Conclusion. Subtalar Kalix II arthroereisis significantly reduced clinical symptoms and improved the CP and MA directly postoperatively, which persisted during follow-up, irrespective of Kalix removal. Therefore, subtalar arthroereisis is a considerable intervention to reduce symptoms in children with symptomatic flexible flatfeet. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Case series
Knee Bracing in Sports Medicine: A Review

Considerable controversy still surrounds the use of knee bracing in the sports medicine patient. Several recent randomized controlled trials have shed new light on the debate. This article reviews the current clinical and biomechanical evidence supporting the efficacy of 5 brace types: prophylactic, rehabilitative, functional, offloader, and patellofemoral knee braces. A summary of evidence-based implications and techniques for selecting and fitting these braces will also be presented.
Clinical characteristics and burden of illness among adolescent and adult patients with severe asthma by asthma control: the IDEAL study

Abstract Objectives Severe asthma (SA) can be uncontrolled despite guideline-directed treatment. We described SA characteristics and identified factors associated with uncontrolled disease and frequent exacerbations. Methods Post hoc analysis of the observational IDEAL study (201722/NCT02293265) included patients with SA aged ≥12 years receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus additional controller(s) for ≥12 months. Uncontrolled SA was defined by Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ)-5 scores ≥1.5 or ≥1 exacerbations (prior year), and further stratified by exacerbation frequency (no/infrequent [0–1] vs frequent [≥2]; prior year); associated factors were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 670 patients with SA, 540 (81%) were uncontrolled (ACQ-5 scores ≥1.5: 80%; ≥1 exacerbations [prior year]: 71%). Uncontrolled patients had lower lung function and worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than controlled patients; 197/540 (37%) experienced frequent exacerbations (prior year). Worse St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, comorbid sinusitis, or eczema were significantly associated with uncontrolled SA; younger age, never smoker status, exacerbation requiring hospitalization (previous year), worse SGRQ symptom score, comorbid nasal polyps, COPD, or osteoporosis were significantly associated with uncontrolled SA with frequent exacerbations. Conclusions In IDEAL, one-fifth of patients with SA were controlled, based on symptoms. Uncontrolled, exacerbating SA was associated with specific comorbidities, frequent exacerbations, a lower lung function, and compromised HRQoL, although inference from this analysis is limited by the selective cross-sectional nature of the cohort. Nonetheless, these data highlight the need for more effective precision treatments in this population.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Self-Serving Attribution Biases in the Competitive Context of Organized Sport

This meta-analysis explored the magnitude of self-serving attribution biases for real-world athletic outcomes. A comprehensive literature search identified 69 studies (160 effect sizes; 10,515 athletes) that were eligible for inclusion. Inverse-variance weighted random-effects meta-analysis showed that sport performers have a tendency to attribute personal success to internal factors and personal failure to external factors (k = 40, standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.62), a tendency to attribute team success to factors within the team and team failure to factors outside the team (k = 23, SMD = 0.63), and a tendency to claim more personal responsibility for team success and less personal responsibility for team failure (k = 4, SMD = 0.28). There was some publication bias and heterogeneity in computed averages. Random effects meta-regression identified sample sex, performance level, and world-region as important moderators of pooled mean effects. These findings provide a foundation for theoretical development of self-serving tendencies in real-world settings.
Delayed Lactogenesis Is Associated with Suboptimal Breastfeeding Practices: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Breastfeeding has many established health benefits to both babies and mothers. There is limited evidence on the association between delayed lactogenesis and breastfeeding practices. OBJECTIVE We assessed the association between delayed lactogenesis and breastfeeding practices in women initiating breastfeeding. DESIGN We used data from a prospective cohort study in Wuhan, China, which enrolled pregnant women at 8-16 weeks of gestation and followed up to postpartum. Women were included who had a singleton live birth, initiated breastfeeding, and provided information on infant feeding. Maternal lactogenesis status was assessed by face-to-face interview at day 4 postpartum. Breastfeeding practices (full breastfeeding and/or any breastfeeding) were queried by telephone interview at 3, 6, and 12 mo postpartum. Poisson regression and Cox regression were used to identify the association between delayed lactogenesis and breastfeeding practices. RESULTS Delayed lactogenesis was reported by 17.9% of the 2877 participants. After adjusting for potential confounders, when compared with timely lactogenesis, delayed lactogenesis was significantly associated with higher risk of inability to sustain full breastfeeding at 3 mo postpartum (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.39) and 6 mo postpartum (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.24). Delayed lactogenesis was also significantly associated with early termination of any breastfeeding (HR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.30) in the adjusted model. In a combined analysis, women with higher gestational weight gain (GWG, ≥16 kg for underweight and normal weight, 15 kg for overweight/obesity) and who subsequently experienced delayed lactogenesis had the highest risk of ending any breastfeeding earlier (adjusted HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.55) compared with those who gained less GWG and experienced timely lactogenesis. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that delayed lactogenesis was associated with low rate of full breastfeeding and shorter duration of any breastfeeding. Greater efforts to promote breastfeeding should be targeted towards women with delayed lactogenesis.
In case you missed it: The Prenatal Diagnosis editors bring you the most significant advances of 2019

London North Genomic Laboratory, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, and Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Antenatal Testing Centre, Inova Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria, VA Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Identification of two arylimides as cholinesterase inhibitors and testing of propranolol addition on impaired rat memory

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clearly linked to the decline of acetylcholine (ACh) effects in the brain. These effects are regulated by the hydrolytic action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Therefore, a central palliative treatment of AD is the administration of AChE inhibitors although additional mechanisms are currently described and tested for generating advantageous therapeutic strategies. In this work, we tested new arylamides and arylimides as potential inhibitors of AChE using in silico tools. Then, these compounds were tested in vitro, and two selected compounds, C7 and C8, as well as propranolol showed inhibition of AChE. In addition, they demonstrated an advantageous acute toxicity profile compared to that of galantamine as a reference AChE inhibitor. in vivo evaluation of memory performance enhancement was performed in an animal model of cognitive disturbance with each of these compounds and propranolol individually as well as each compound combined with propranolol. Memory improvement was observed in each case, but without a significant additive effect with the combinations.
Midlife Dietary Intakes of Monounsaturated Acids, n-6 Polyunsaturated Acids, and Plant-Based Fat Are Inversely Associated with Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Older Singapore Chinese Adults.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown inconsistent results for the relation between dietary fat intake and cognitive function in the elderly. Furthermore, prospective studies on this topic among the Chinese population are scarce. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine the association between midlife dietary fat intake and risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly. METHODS Prospective cohort analysis was conducted among 16,736 participants from the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Dietary information was assessed by a validated FFQ at baseline (1993-1998) when participants aged 45-74 y (mean: 53.5; SD: 6.22). Cognitive impairment was identified using the Singapore modified Mini-Mental State Examination at the third follow-up visit (2014-2016) when participants aged 61-96 y (mean: 73.2; SD: 6.41). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS Cognitive impairment was presented in 2397 participants. When substituted for total carbohydrate, dietary fat intake was inversely related to cognitive impairment (OR comparing extreme quartiles: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67, 0.94; P-trend = 0.003). The OR (95% CI) comparing extreme quartiles of specific dietary fats was 1.08 (0.89, 1.31; P-trend = 0.51) for SFAs, 0.80 (0.64, 0.99; P-trend = 0.02) for MUFAs, 0.84 (0.72, 0.99; P-trend = 0.02) for PUFAs, 0.92 (0.77, 1.09; P-trend = 0.49) for n-3 PUFAs, and 0.83 (0.70, 0.98; P-trend = 0.01) for n-6 PUFAs. An inverse association was found for plant-based fat (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.98; P-trend = 0.02), but not for animal-based fat (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.15; P-trend = 0.76). When substituted for SFAs, the OR (95% CI) was 0.77 (0.61, 0.97; P-trend = 0.02) for MUFAs and 0.82 (0.70, 0.95; P-trend = 0.003) for PUFAs. CONCLUSIONS We found that substitution of total carbohydrate or SFAs with MUFAs and PUFAs, particularly n-6 PUFAs, was related to a lower risk of cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese participants. In addition, an inverse association with cognitive impairment was found for plant-based fat.
Distinct interferon signatures and cytokine patterns define additional systemic autoinflammatory diseases.

BACKGROUND Undifferentiated systemic autoinflammatory diseases (USAID) present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Chronic interferon (IFN) signaling and cytokine dysregulation may identify diseases with available targeted treatments. METHODS Sixty-six consecutively-referred USAID patients underwent standardized evaluation of Type-I IFN-response-gene-signature (IRG-S); cytokine profiling, and genetic evaluation by next-generation sequencing. RESULTS Thirty-six USAID patients (55%) had elevated IRG-S. Neutrophilic panniculitis (40% vs 0%), basal ganglia calcifications (46% vs 0%), interstitial lung disease (47% vs 5%), and myositis (60% vs 10%) were more prevalent in patients with elevated IRG-S. Moderate IRG-S elevation and highly-elevated serum IL-18 distinguished eight patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and recurrent macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). Among patients with panniculitis and progressive cytopenias, two patients were compound heterozygous for novel LRBA mutations, four patients harbored novel splice variants in IKBKG/NEMO, and six patients had de novo frameshift mutations in SAMD9L. Of additional 12 patients with elevated IRG-S and CANDLE-, SAVI- or Aicardi-Goutières-Syndrome (AGS)-like phenotypes, five patients carried mutations in either SAMHD1, TREX1, PSMB8 or PSMG2. Two patients had anti-MDA5 autoantibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis, and seven could not be classified. Patients with LRBA, IKBKG/NEMO and SAMD9L mutations showed a pattern of IRG elevation that suggests prominent NF-κB activation different from the canonical interferonopathies CANDLE, SAVI and AGS. CONCLUSIONS In patients with elevated IRG-S, we identified characteristic clinical features and 3 additional autoinflammatory diseases: IL-18-mediated PAP and recurrent MAS (IL-18PAP-MAS), NEMO∆5-associated autoinflammatory syndrome (NEMO-NDAS), and SAMD9L-associated autoinflammatory disease (SAMD9L-SAAD). The IRG-S expands the diagnostic armamentarium in evaluating USAIDs and points to different pathways regulating IRG expression.
Prevalence of Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma in Infertile Men in Van Region and Effects to Semen Parameters

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) in semen cultures of cases with primary infertility in the Van Province, and also to determine the effect of therapy on sperm parameters. Material and Method: The study included 106 individuals divided into three groups: The infertile group (41 cases), the group with lower urinary tract symptoms (33 cases), and the control group (32 cases). The patients in the infertile group had no history of varicocele, testicular torsion, hydrocele, undescended testis, and hormonal disorders. The control group included cases without infertility and lower urinary tract symptoms. The parameters of culture-positive cases in the infertile group were determined before and after therapy. The identification of Mycoplasma species was made using the Biomerieux® Mycoplasma IST 2 (RCS LyonFrance) kit. The sperm count was carried out with the Makler counting chamber (Self Medical Industries, Haifa, Israel). Results: In the infertile group, UU was isolated from 17 and MH was isolated from 3 cases. In the group with lower urinary tract symptoms, UU was isolated from 15 (45.5%) and MH was isolated from 6 (18.8%) cases. In the control group, UU was isolated from 6 (18.8%) cases, but MH was isolated from none of the cases. In the infertile group, the sperm counts in 3 culture-positive cases (15%) and in 10 culture-negative cases (50%) were <15 million each (p<0.025). Prior to therapy, the sperm motility in the culture-positive 14 cases (70%) was lower than 40%, and after therapy, 5 cases (25%) demonstrated a sperm motility of <40%. With therapy, a significant increase in sperm motility was obtained. After therapy of the 20 culture-positive cases (49%), the wives of 4 (20%) patients became pregnant (p<0.025). Discussion: Antibiotherapy in culturepositive cases with undetermined cause of infertility contributes to therapy by positively affecting sperm motility.
Effect of increasing dietary energy density during late gestation and lactation on sow performance, piglet vitality and lifetime growth of offspring.

Genetic selection for hyper-prolificacy in sows has resulted in a significant increase in the number of piglets born alive per litter but subsequently, decreased piglet vitality and growth. As a consequence, increasing sows' energy intake during lactation to help increase piglet vitality and growth is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary energy (DE) density for lactating sows on weight and back-fat changes in sows, milk composition, and vitality and growth of progeny. Gestating sows (N=100; Large White x Landrace) were randomly assigned to one of four energy dense diets at d108 of gestation until subsequent service; 13.8 (LL), 14.5 (L), 15.2 (H), and 15.9 MJ DE/kg (HH). All diets contained 1.2% total lysine. Blood samples from sows were taken on d108 of gestation and at weaning (d26 of lactation) and colostrum (d0) and milk samples (d14) were collected during lactation. Sow lactation feed intakes were recorded daily. The number of piglets born per litter (total & live), piglet birthweight (total & live), intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) traits and muscle tone were recorded in piglets at birth. Piglet tympanic ear temperature (TEMP) was recorded at birth and at 24h. Pigs were weighed on d1, d6, d14, d26, d33, d40, d54, d75 and d141 of life. Post-weaning (PW), pigs were fed standard cereal based diets. Pig carcass data was collected at slaughter (d141). Lactation DE intake was higher for HH sows than for all other treatments (P<0.01). Colostrum and milk composition and lactation feed intake was not affected by treatment. The number of piglets born per litter (total & live) and piglet birthweight (total & live) was similar between treatments. Piglets from LL sows had more IUGR traits (P<0.01), while those from HH sows had better muscle tone (P<0.01) than all other treatments. Piglets from LL sows (P<0.01) and piglets from H sows (P<0.01) had a higher 24h TEMP than piglets from HH sows. H sows weaned a greater number of piglets than L sows (P<0.05) and HH sows (P<0.01), while L sows weaned lighter litters than H (P<0.05) and LL sows (P<0.05). Pig growth PW was unaffected by treatment. High DE diets increased energy intake in sows, without depressing appetite. Feeding a HH diet improved piglet muscle tone at birth, whereas feeding a H diet increased litter size at weaning. Inconsistent results were observed for other traits of piglet vitality and for pre-weaning litter growth performance.
Improving the quality of care with a single-entry model of referral for total joint replacement: a preimplementation/postimplementation evaluation

Objectives We assessed: (1) waiting time variation among surgeons; (2) proportion of patients receiving surgery within benchmark and (3) influence of the Winnipeg Central Intake Service (WCIS) across five dimensions of quality: accessibility, acceptability, appropriateness, effectiveness, safety. Design Preimplementation/postimplementation cross-sectional design comparing historical (n=2282) and prospective (n=2397) cohorts. Setting Regional, provincial health authority. Participants Patients awaiting total joint replacement of the hip or knee. Interventions The WCIS is a single-entry model (SEM) to improve access to total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, implemented to minimise variation in total waiting time (TW) across orthopaedic surgeons and increase the proportion of surgeries within 26 weeks (benchmark). Impact of SEMs on quality of care is poorly understood. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcomes related to ‘accessibility’: waiting time variation across surgeons, waiting times (Waiting Time 2 (WT2)=decision to treat until surgery and TW=total waiting time) and surgeries within benchmark. Analysis included descriptive statistics, group comparisons and clustered regression. Results Variability in TW among surgeons was reduced by 3.7 (hip) and 4.3 (knee) weeks. Mean waiting was reduced for TKR (WT2/TW); TKR within benchmark increased by 5.9%. Accessibility and safety were the only quality dimensions that changed (post-WCIS THR and TKR). Shorter WT2 was associated with post-WCIS (knee), worse Oxford score (hip and knee) and having medical comorbidities (hip). Meeting benchmark was associated with post-WCIS (knee), lower Body Mass Index (BMI) (hip) and worse Oxford score (hip and knee). Conclusions The WCIS reduced variability across surgeon waiting times, with modest reductions in overall waits for surgery. There was improvement in some, but not all, dimensions of quality.