Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Medical Students: A Meta-Regression

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is highly prevalent among medical students and can have serious negative outcomes for both students and their patients. Little is known about the magnitude and predictors of EDS among medical college students. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to achieve these two targets. A systematic search was performed for English-language studies that reported the prevalence of EDS among medical students using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), age, sex, sleep duration and sleep quality as predictive variables. A total of nine observational studies (K = 9, N = 2587) were included in the analyses. Meta-regression analyses were performed using mean age (years), sex (proportion of male subjects), sleep duration (hours/night) and sleep quality index score (continuous scale) as moderators for EDS—with the prevalence of EDS as an outcome variable. An interaction term of sleep duration X sleep quality was created to assess if these two variables simultaneously influenced the outcome variable. Utilizing the ESS, the pooled prevalence of EDS among medical students was 34.6% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 18.3–50.9%). Meta-regression models of age, sex, sleep duration and sleep quality alone revealed poor predictive capabilities. Meta-regression models of sleep duration–sleep quality interaction revealed results with high statistical significance. The findings from this review contribute supporting evidence for the relationship between sleep duration and sleep quality scores (i.e., sleep duration X sleep quality score) in predicting EDS in medical students.
Four text classification algorithms compared on a Dutch corpus

We describe an experiment in applying text classification algorithms to Dutch texts. Four well-known learning algorithms, Rocchio’s algorithm, the Simple Bayesian Classifier (SBC), the Sleeping Experts (SE) and Winnow were implemented. They were tested on a corpus of articles from the Dutch newspaper NRC, pre-classified into four categories. The algorithms are compared on learning speed and error rate. We also investigated the effect of discarding terms, using either a dynamic stoplist or the Winnow heuristic.
CONFRONTING MULTICOLLINEARITY IN ECOLOGICAL MULTIPLE REGRESSION

The natural complexity of ecological communities regularly lures ecologists to collect elaborate data sets in which confounding factors are often present. Although multiple regression is commonly used in such cases to test the individual effects of many explanatory variables on a continuous response, the inherent collinearity (multicollinearity) of confounded explanatory variables encumbers analyses and threatens their statistical and inferential interpretation. Using numerical simulations, I quantified the impact of multicollinearity on ecological multiple regression and found that even low levels of collinearity bias analyses (r ≥ 0.28 or r2 ≥ 0.08), causing (1) inaccurate model parameterization, (2) decreased statistical power, and (3) exclusion of significant predictor variables during model creation. Then, using real ecological data, I demonstrated the utility of various statistical techniques for enhancing the reliability and interpretation of ecological multiple regression in the presence of multic.
The knowledge discovery cube framework : a reference framework for collaborative, information-driven pharmacovigilance.

Pharmacovigilance has attracted enormous attention over recent decades. At present, the increasing datafication combined with the growing knowledge elicitation capabilities of key technology innovations, present pharmacovigilance with enormous opportunities to improve its effectiveness and widen its scope. With change being a continuous process, for pharmacovigilance this represents an era of “Digital Darwinism”, during which new directions are opening fast and new challenges emerge, as to how the sector adapts in order to draw benefit. Current efforts and initiatives, aimed at addressing existing barriers and at enhancing the practical applications of new science and technology, are fragmented and disjoint, and thus are not adequate to provide an effective response to challenges. This research proposes a new paradigm for collaborative, information-driven innovation in pharmacovigilance and develops a Reference Framework, in order to (a) deepen the collective understanding of how a principled, collaborative and balanced medicines safety data ecosystem can be organised, (b) guide stakeholders towards the optimisation of pharmacovigilance and (c) provide useful reference points for the ongoing research and development process in the field. The Knowledge Discovery Cube (KDC) Framework provides the means for continual analysis, and for managing technology adoption in an informed and intentional manner. A variety of sources informed the research work. The resulting deliberations draw on the findings and conclusions of scholarly research, guidelines, policy documents and reports, and other resources from within and outside the field of health and life sciences, as well as on relevant theories. The developed framework was operationalised and validated in the context of vaccine safety monitoring.
The Effect of Caffeinated Beverages on Sleep Quality in College Students

Objectives: Poor sleep quality is considered a global health problem. Considering that caffeine intake contributes to sleep disturbances, we evaluated the relationship between sleep quality and the consumption of caffeinated beverages in college students in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with college students aged 18 to 25 years old from both governmental and private colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sleep quality, caffeine intake, and stress exposure were assessed using three validated electronic questionnaires. Results: A total of 476 college students completed the questionnaire. Sleep quality was found to be poor in 80.7% of students. The prevalence of caffeine intake was as follows: none = 8%, a tolerable amount = 40.5%, and excessive = 51.5%. Of the students who reported excessive caffeine intake, 83.3% had poor sleep quality. The relationship between excessive caffeine intake and poor sleep quality was significant (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The majority of students had poor sleep quality, and this was correlated with excessive caffeine intake. Our results highlight the importance of raising awareness among students about the factors that may affect sleep quality.
Organization of complex transposon Tn2610 carrying two copies of tnpA and tnpR

Transposon Tn2610 has two elements of 3.5 kilobase pairs as inverted repeats, one set at each end. This unique terminal element contained the transposition genes tnpA and tnpR. Only the tnpA gene in the left element was functional for transposition, whereas both tnpR genes were active. Possible evolutionary relationships among class II transposable elements are proposed on the basis of the genetic and structural organization of Tn2610.
Analysis of Abnormal Vehicle Behavior Based on Trajectory Fitting

In order to analysis the abnormal vehicle behavior by trajectory fitting effectively, the whole process is divided into three steps: target detection and tracking, vehicle trajectory analysis, vehicle behavior detection. Firstly, a three-frame-differencing method is used to achieve initial target location and an improved tracking algorithm based on Kalman predictor is proposed; then, an adaptive segmented linear fitting algorithm is proposed to achieve vehicle trajectory fitting; finally, two parameters including the rate of velocity variation and the rate of direction variation are used to establish vehicle abnormal behavior detection model. Experiment result shows that the three high dangerous vehicle behaviors in road surveillance videos can be detected effectively: sharp brake, sharp turn, and sharp turn brake.
Induction of a Novel Mechanism of Accelerated Bacterial Clearance by Lipopolysaccharide in CD14-Deficient and Toll-Like Receptor 4-Deficient Mice1

Despite the lack of a proinflammatory response to LPS, CD14-deficient mice clear Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli 0111) at least 10 times more efficiently than normal mice. In this study, we show that this is due to an early and intense recruitment of neutrophils following the injection of Gram-negative bacteria or LPS in CD14-deficient mice; in contrast, neutrophil infiltration is delayed by 24 h in normal mice. Similar results of early LPS-induced PMN infiltration and enhanced clearance of E. coli were seen in Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-deficient mice. Furthermore, the lipid A moiety of LPS induced early neutrophil infiltration not only in CD14-deficient and TLR-4-deficient mice, but also in normal mice. In conclusion, the lipid A component of LPS stimulates a unique and critical pathway of innate immune responses that is independent of CD14 and TLR4 and results in early neutrophil infiltration and enhanced bacterial clearance.
A Fast Multi-Source Sound DOA Estimator Considering Colored Noise in Circular Array

Sound direction of arrival (DOA) estimation keeps finding new applications. For instance, real-time sound DOA estimation enabled by acoustic sensors on low-cost and limited-resource devices can enhance or create many consumer use cases. Indeed, tracking multiple moving sound sources in noisy or reverberated condition with a cost-effective platform is highly desirable. In this paper, we develop a computation-aware DOA estimator that uses weighting in frequency domain. It relies on single source zones (SSZs) and circular integrated cross spectrum (CICS) techniques and peak search on DOA histogram. The existing histogram-based multi-source DOA estimation is fundamentally limited in angular resolution, and the CICS process is very time consuming. To tackle these problems, we propose a weighting method that exploits the unevenness of intermediate DOA estimation errors over the frequencies of interest, and a simple yet effective strategy to reduce search range. Two underlying mechanisms, the impact of the colored noise of microphones and the frequency-dependent behavior (statistic model) of DOA estimation errors, are unveiled. We have developed an experimental platform using commercially off-the-shelf devices to verify design objectives, including feasibility and real-time requirement. The proposed techniques are validated on the developed platform and the system performance is evaluated experimentally in a real-world environment. It is observed the DOA estimation resolution is improved roughly from 30° to 15° and the overall computation is reduced by 68%.
CSF Biomarkers Correlate with Cerebral Blood Flow on SPECT in Healthy Elderly

Background: The preclinical patterns of biological markers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in vivo need further exploration. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate CSF biomarkers, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and cognitive performance in cognitively healthy older individuals. Method: Within a 2-week period, 32 cognitively healthy older individuals underwent CSF analysis, rCBF measurement and cognitive testing. The CSF was analysed for β-amyloid1–42 (Aβ42), total tau protein (T-tau) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein (P-tau). The rCBF results were analysed with statistical parametric mapping to investigate rCBF covariance with the other measurements. Results: High CSF P-tau and T-tau levels correlated with decreased rCBF in the right superior posterior medial frontal lobe whereas high CSF P-tau levels also correlated with increased rCBF in the left fronto-temporal border zone area. No significant covariance was seen between rCBF and CSF Aβ42. Neither CSF P-tau and T-tau levels nor rCBF in the current right frontal and left posterior locations were associated with cognitive performance. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a possible correlation between tau pathology and blood flow abnormalities in individuals without any overt cognitive symptoms. An association with AD development is possible but other explanatory mechanisms cannot be excluded.
Bacteriophages safely reduce Salmonella contamination in pet food and raw pet food ingredients

ABSTRACT Contamination of pet food with Salmonella is a serious public health concern, and several disease outbreaks have recently occurred due to human exposure to Salmonella tainted pet food. The problem is especially challenging for raw pet foods (which include raw meats, seafood, fruits, and vegetables). These foods are becoming increasingly popular because of their nutritional qualities, but they are also more difficult to maintain Salmonella-free because they lack heat-treatment. Among various methods examined to improve the safety of pet foods (including raw pet food), one intriguing approach is to use bacteriophages to specifically kill Salmonella serotypes. At least 2 phage preparations (SalmoFresh® and Salmonelex™) targeting Salmonella are already FDA cleared for commercial applications to improve the safety of human foods. However, similar preparations are not yet available for pet food applications. Here, we report the results of evaluating one such preparation (SalmoLyse®) in reducing Salmonella levels in various raw pet food ingredients (chicken, tuna, turkey, cantaloupe, and lettuce). Application of SalmoLyse® in low (ca. 2–4×106 PFU/g) and standard (ca. 9×106 PFU/g) concentrations significantly (P < 0.01) reduced (by 60–92%) Salmonella contamination in all raw foods examined compared to control treatments. When SalmoLyse®-treated (ca. 2×107 PFU/g) dry pet food was fed to cats and dogs, it did not trigger any deleterious side effects in the pets. Our data suggest that the bacteriophage cocktail lytic for Salmonella can significantly and safely reduce Salmonella contamination in various raw pet food ingredients.
Effect of Clofarabine on Apoptosis and DNA Synthesis in Human Epithelial Colon Cancer Cells

Clofarabine, a new-generation purine nucleoside analogue, was thought to work via three mechanisms: incorporation into DNA; induction of apoptosis; and inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, and showed significant efficacy in pediatric relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hematologic malignancies in adults. By way of its unique metabolic properties, clofarabine is being explored in lymphoproliferative disorders and solid tumors. In this study, the effect of clofarabine on the DNA synthesis of human colon carcinoma cells (HCT116) was investigated by LigandTracer White which provides a simple and accurate method for investigating the uptake, phosphorylation, retention and DNA incorporation of nucleosides in cells. Clofarabine enters into HCT116 cells in a clearly detectable manner. At 100 nM, the interaction is visible and at 10 μM a high signal is achieved and approaches equilibrium after 1∼2 hours. The thymidine incorporation into the DNA synthesis was rapidly stopped by incubation with 10 μM clofarabine and a 3-fold increase in apoptosis induction in HCT116 cells by clofarabine was detected.
Effect of statins treatment on glycemic status and development of new onset diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care teaching hospital: a cross sectional study

Background: Several observational studies, well controlled randomized trials and meta-analyses reported that patients treated with statins has high risk of new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), but the exact incidence and mechanism is still unclear and controversy. The present study was planned to find out the incidence of prediabetes and NODM and possible mechanism of action.Methods: This was a prospective, cross‑sectional study carried out at the Department of General Medicine for a period of one and half year between August 2017 and February 2019. Normoglycemic patients whose fasting blood glucose levels below 100 mg/dL and at least one year of treatment with statins were recruited in the study. Glycaemic status, development of prediabetes and NODM and insulin resistance were the primary outcomes whereas lipid profile, adverse drug effects of statins were secondary outcomes. Collected data was analysed by suitable statistical methods.Results: A total of 146 patients were recruited and 120 completed the entire study. Mean fasting blood glucose levels before initiation of statin therapy was 89.45±10.21. After one year of statin therapy, patients were separated as prediabetics and new onset diabetics and there mean fasting blood glucose levels were 116.24±12.86 (n=10) and 152.44±20.12 (n=12) respectively. A total of 12 (10.0%) patients were developed NODM and 10 (8.2%) patients developed prediabetes at the end of statin therapy. Atorvastatin 40mg was most frequency prescribed statin followed by Atorvastatin 20mg. A total of 70 (58.3%) study participants developed mild to moderate drug related adverse effects (ADRs), statin‑induced myalgia (55.7%) was the most common ADR.Conclusions: Patients treatment with statins had developed prediabetes and NODM. Atorvastatin 40mg and greater dose significantly induced NODM. Fasting blood glucose levels should be measured periodically with prescription contains higher doses of statins.
Interactive mesh deformation with pseudo material effects

This paper presents a novel interactive mesh deformation method that can achieve various dynamic material effects, including elastic membrane and cloth effects. In our framework, a mesh is encoded by some differential quantities based on edge length and dihedral angle; and the deformation is formulated as a least square problem for preserving the edge length and dihedral angle via the differential quantities. In order to obtain anisotropic material effects, we further propose an edge‐weighting scheme based on a user‐specified vector field. To avoid specifying the local transformations, we set up an iterative scheme for solving the deformation. At last, several examples are presented to show that our approach can interactively generate visually pleasing deformations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal abnormalities produced after preimplantation exposure of mouse embryos to ammonium chloride.

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to determine whether preimplantation exposure of mouse embryos to ammonium resulted in abnormal fetal development and to evaluate similar risks to the outcome of human assisted conception. METHODS Mouse embryos cultured from the 1-cell stage were exposed to 0.3 mmol/l ammonium chloride for 3 days. Embryos cultured from the 2-cell stage were exposed to 0.3 or 0.6 mmol/l ammonium for 2 days. After transfer to the uteri of pseudopregnant recipient females, post-implantation development was evaluated on embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) or E18.5. RESULTS There was no consistent effect of preimplantation exposure to ammonium chloride on fetal or placental weights. All 101 E18.5 fetuses were normal but 5/217 E15.5 fetuses were abnormal (three exencephalic and two polydactylous), which was significantly higher than the 0/363 for the pooled groups of E15.5 control fetuses (P = 0.007). The combined E15.5 and E18.5 frequency was also significantly higher than the controls (5/318 versus 0/433; P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS These results support the conclusion that abnormal preimplantation culture conditions can cause fetal abnormalities in mice, but the risks may be lower than previously suggested. Further work is needed to evaluate the risk more fully but this risk should be considered when designing new strategies for human assisted conception.
Evolutionary Potential of an RNA Virus

ABSTRACT RNA viruses are remarkably adaptable to changing environments. This is medically important because it enables pathogenic viruses to escape the immune response and chemotherapy and is of considerable theoretical interest since it allows the investigation of evolutionary processes within convenient time scales. A number of earlier studies have addressed the dynamics of adapting RNA virus populations. However, it has been difficult to monitor the trajectory of molecular changes in RNA genomes in response to selective pressures. To address the problem, we developed a novel in vitro evolution system based on a recombinant double-stranded RNA bacteriophage, φ6, containing a β-lactamase (bla) gene marker. Carrier-state bacterial cells are resistant to ampicillin, and after several passages, they become resistant to high concentrations of another β-lactam antibiotic, cefotaxime, due to mutations in the virus-borne bla gene. We monitored the changes in bla cDNAs induced by cefotaxime selection and observed an initial explosion in sequence variants with multiple mutations throughout the gene. After four passages, a stable, homogeneous population of bla sequences containing three specific nonsynonymous mutations was established. Of these, two mutations (E104K and G238S) have been previously reported for β-lactamases from cefotaxime-resistant bacterial isolates. These results extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of viral adaptation and also demonstrate the possibility of using an RNA virus as a vehicle for directed evolution of heterologous proteins.
Introductory Chapter: Assessment and Conservation of Genetic Diversity in Plant Species

Genetic diversity is the raw material that helps plant species face a wide range of daily global changes [1, 2]. It also represents the number of alternations in the genetic makeup of populations and species, which take place under various evolutionary mechanisms such as genetic drift that involves random matings of individuals within the same population, changing their allele frequencies, and founder effect that causes individuals with new genetic information leading to a new population developed from a larger one [1–3]. Genetic composition of individuals varies from one population to another due to systematic differences that emerge among individuals from different places promoting their survival and reproduction. Genetic diversity becomes more potent and quick when gene flow among populations is little such as restricted dispersal of seeds or pollens [2, 3]. Plant breeders are able to develop large amount of new productive crops that are of improved tolerance to a variety of diseases and pests as well as its enhanced ability to stand against a changing world. This depends on the volume and range of genetic variation among individuals within the same species, which allows for designing sampling programs [2, 4–6]. Accordingly, geneticists have focused on evaluating genetic differences within populations using morphological, cytological, biochemical, and molecular markers to identify the characteristics of domestication, propagation, and breeding techniques as well as conservation of plant genetic materials [2]. This work addresses various approaches related to genetic diversity in plants.
Knowledge Measurement Barriers: Results from a Case Study

The discussion about barriers is primarily involved with knowledge sharing issues and the implementation of knowledge management in general. The successful application of measurement strategies requires an understanding on how knowledge measurement processes are perceived by the participants. Measuring the skills and capabilities of knowledge workers is increasingly recognized as a source of competitive advantages and has to be embedded in the organizational culture. The objective of this paper is to increase the understanding of barriers associated with knowledge measurement processes. An exploratory study with 100 interviews at an European Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) vendor was conducted to establish a knowledge measurement system and identify associated measurement barriers. The analysis of the results identified 21 measurement barriers in three categories: (1) individual, (2) organizational, (3) measurement process. It is concluded that these barriers need to be minimized to improve measurement acceptance and to support a knowledge measurement culture in organizations.