Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Quality of Life: Comparison of the SAQLI, FOSQ, and SF-36 Questionnaires.

INTRODUCTION The impact of sleep on quality of life (QoL) has been well documented; however, there is a great need for reliable QoL measures for persons with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We compared the QoL scores between the 36-Item Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Survey (SF-36), Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI), and Functional Outcomes Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) in persons with OSA. METHODS A total of 884 participants from the Sleep Heart Health Study second examination, who completed the SF-36, FOSQ, and SAQLI, and in-home polysomnograms, were included. The apnea hypopnea index (AHI) at 4% desaturation was categorized as no OSA (<5 /hour), mild to moderate OSA (5-30 /hour) and severe OSA (>30 /hour). QoL scores for each questionnaire were determined and compared by OSA severity category and by gender. RESULTS Participants were 47.6% male, 49.2% (n=435) had no OSA, 43.2% (n=382) had mild to moderate OSA, and 7.6% (n=67) had severe OSA. Participants with severe OSA were significantly older (mean age = 63.7 years, p <.0001), had higher BMI (mean = 34.3 kg/m2, p <.0001) and had lower SF-36 Physical Component scores (PCS) (45.1) than participants with no OSA (48.5) or those with mild to moderate OSA (46.5, p= .006). When analyzed according to gender, no significant differences were found in males for QoL by OSA severity categories. However, females with severe OSA had significantly lower mean scores for the SAQLI (5.4, p= .006), FOSQ (10.9, p= .02), and SF-36 PCS (37.7, p<.0001) compared to females with no OSA (6.0, 11.5, 44.6) and those with mild to moderate OSA (5.9, 11.4, 48, respectively). Females with severe OSA also had significantly higher mean BMI (41.8 kg/m2,) than females with no OSA (26.5 kg/m2) or females with mild to moderate OSA (30.6 kg/m2, p<.0001). The SF-36 PCS and Mental Component Scores (MCS) were correlated with the FOSQ and SAQLI (r=.37 PCS vs FOSQ; r=.31 MCS vs FOSQ; r=.42 PCS vs SAQLI; r=.52 MCS vs SAQLI; and r=.66 FOSQ vs SAQLI, p<.001 for all correlations). Linear regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders, indicated that the impact of OSA severity on QoL is largely explained by the presence of daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSION The impact of OSA on QoL differs between genders with a larger effect on females and is largely explained by the presence of daytime sleepiness. Correlations among QoL instruments are not high and various instruments may assess different aspects of QoL.
Effects of Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slags on Some Properties of Pastes, Mortars, and Concretes

Tests were performed under separate contracts at different times for three manufacturers of ground granulated blast-furnace slag to determine the performance of their products with portland cement. Physical tests were performed on pastes, mortars, and concretes to determine both freshly mixed and hardened properties. The effects of gypsum addition, fineness of slag, and levels of replacement in cement-slag combinations were evaluated. Physical tests performed on pastes and mortars included time of setting, compressive strength, and volume stability. In the mortar compressive strength series, various curing regimens were evaluated with respect to strength development. Included were normal moist curing at 23°C (73°F) and 4.4°C (40°F) and 100% relative humidity, and accelerated atmospheric curing [71°C (160°F)] and 100% relative humidity. Tests conducted on concretes containing slag included compressive strength, freeze-thaw durability, and resistance to deicer chemicals (scaling). Measurements of air-void systems of hardened concretes were made. Results generally show that use of slag can be beneficial without resulting in significant technical problems or adverse construction problems.
High‐dose rapamycin blocks mossy fiber sprouting but not seizures in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy

The role of granule cell axon (mossy fiber) sprouting in temporal lobe epileptogenesis is unclear and controversial. Rapamycin suppresses mossy fiber sprouting, but its reported effects on seizure frequency are mixed. The present study used high‐dose rapamycin to more completely block mossy fiber sprouting and to measure the effect on seizure frequency.
The Role of Masculinity and Depressive Symptoms in Predicting Suicidal Ideation in Homeless Men

Men’s suicide rates may be influenced by difficulties recognizing externalizing depressive symptoms in men that adhere to hegemonic masculine gender role norms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of externalizing depressive symptoms, internalizing depressive symptoms, and hegemonic masculinity in predicting the existence and severity of suicidal ideation. Homeless men (n = 94) completed questionnaires at a resource center in the Rocky Mountain Western United States. Internalizing symptoms predicted the existence of suicidal ideation, and both externalizing and internalizing symptoms predicted increased severity of suicidal ideation. The masculine norms violence and playboy were correlated with men’s suicidal ideation. An externalizing-internalizing model of predicting suicide in men and men’s adherence to certain masculine gender role norms may be valuable to further efforts in suicide assessment and prevention.
Face recognition by landmark pooling-based CNN with concentrate loss

Face recognition has been a hot research topic in recent years, convolutional neural network (CNN) based methods have achieved state of the art results and significantly improve the performance. Along with the CNN framework, we propose a novel loss function called concentrate loss which focuses on the class centers in the mini-batch. The concentrate loss aims to push the samples towards corresponding class centers and simultaneously enlarge the gap between different class centers. Additionally, we ultilize facial landmark pooling technique to take full advantage of facial structure information. Experiment results on Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW), YouTube Faces (YTF), and the BluFR benchmark demonstrate the efficiency of our proposal.
SVM in Oracle Database 10g: Removing the Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Support Vector Machines

Contemporary commercial databases are placing an increased emphasis on analytic capabilities. Data mining technology has become crucial in enabling the analysis of large volumes of data. Modern data mining techniques have been shown to have high accuracy and good generalization to novel data. However, achieving results of good quality often requires high levels of user expertise. Support Vector Machines (SVM) is a powerful state-of-the-art data mining algorithm that can address problems not amenable to traditional statistical analysis. Nevertheless, its adoption remains limited due to methodological complexities, scalability challenges, and scarcity of production quality SVM implementations. This paper describes Oracle's implementation of SVM where the primary focus lies on ease of use and scalability while maintaining high performance accuracy. SVM is fully integrated within the Oracle database framework and thus can be easily leveraged in a variety of deployment scenarios.
Design Optimization of DSP for Wearable Biomedical Device

Recent trends towards low power and miniaturized wearable healthcare devices require careful selection of computing modules to be integrated. On-device computing can help extract and transmit only the essential features of the target biomedical signals, thereby leading to reduced power consumption due to wireless communication. However, prior to such information extraction, tackling signal non-idealities, like noise, offset and motion-artifact becomes crucial. While, noise and offset considerations may be addressed in the analog domain, the residual motion artifact often mandates digital domain processing. In this work, we present the system design for photo-plethysmographic (PPG) signal acquisition and processing, where low power custom DSP is designed to minimize the motion artifact (MA), prior to on-device feature extraction and classification. In order to retain the benefits of on-device information extraction, the DSP of MA-removal must be power constrained. We propose a computationally efficient method for MA removal that employs a low power noise-estimation block and adaptive filter for fast MA tracking and removal (MAR). Our proposed algorithm has been implemented in Verilog and synthesized using synopsys in 180nm CMOS technology. This custom DSP draws 750nW of power from a supply of 2V.
A meta‐analysis of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with brain tumors receiving therapeutic anticoagulation: comment

Essentials Clinicians may be hesitant to administer anticoagulation in the setting of brain metastases or glioma. In this meta-analysis, we identified nine retrospective cohort studies that met inclusion criteria. Anticoagulation did not increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in brain metastasis. In the setting of glioma, anticoagulation resulted in 3.8-fold increase in intracranial hemorrhage. SummaryBackground Venous thromboembolism commonly occurs in patients with brain tumors. Because of the high rate of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), the safety of therapeutic anticoagulation is commonly questioned. Objective We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate whether therapeutic anticoagulation is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with brain tumors. Patients/Methods A systematic literature search strategy was conducted. Summary statistics for ICH were obtained by calculating the odds ratio using a random effects model and heterogeneity across studies was estimated by the I2 statistic. Results A total of nine retrospective cohort studies met the criteria for inclusion. The odds ratio (OR) for ICH in patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation versus those who did not receive anticoagulation was 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–4.56; I2 = 46%). In studies evaluating anticoagulation in patients with brain metastases, there was no apparent increased risk of ICH (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.61–1.88; I2 = 0%). However, in patients with glioma there was an increase in risk of ICH associated with the administration of anticoagulation (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.42–9.95; I2 = 33%). Conclusions The risk of ICH in patients with brain tumors receiving therapeutic anticoagulation depends on the diagnosis of primary or metastatic brain tumors. Although anticoagulation was not associated with an increased risk of ICH in the setting of brain metastasis, its use resulted in a greater than 3-fold increased risk of ICH in patients with glioma.
Identification of class I MHC-associated phosphopeptides as targets for cancer immunotherapy

Alterations in phosphorylation of cellular proteins are a hallmark of malignant transformation. Degradation of these phosphoproteins could generate cancer-specific class I MHC-associated phosphopeptides recognizable by CD8+ T lymphocytes. In a comparative analysis of phosphopeptides presented on the surface of melanoma, ovarian carcinoma, and B lymphoblastoid cells, we find 5 of 36 that are restricted to the solid tumors and common to both cancers. Differential presentation of these peptides can result from differential phosphorylation of the source proteins. Recognition of the peptides on cancer cells by phosphopeptide-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes validates the potential of these phosphopeptides as immunotherapeutic targets.
Mechanical properties, weld bead and cost universal approach for CO2 laser welding process optimisation

The main two characteristics of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique are predicting and optimising the responses of interest. The objective of the current research is to set the process input parameters namely: laser power, welding speed and focused position at their optimal values to optimise the responses. In this work seven responses of interest were implemented namely: heat input, penetration, width of weld pool, width of HAZ, impact strength at room temperature, notched tensile strength and laser welding operating cost per metre of butt joints of medium carbon steel plates. Design-Expert software has been used to optimise the above-mentioned responses, using the mathematical models developed in a previous works to relate the seven responses to the laser welding input variables. In this study a technique of numerical optimisation and a graphical optimisation method have been considered. The optimisation criterion was implemented to produce laser-welded joints with the desired weld bead profiles and mechanical properties at relatively low cost by increasing the welding speed and decreasing the laser power. The results indicate that the optimal welding conditions obtained would improve the welded joints performance, increase the welding productivity and reduce the welding operating cost.
Structure and function of urea amidolyase

Urea is the degradation product of a wide range of nitrogen containing bio-molecules. Urea amidolyase (UA) catalyzes the conversion of urea to ammonium, the essential first step in utilizing urea as a nitrogen source. It is widely distributed in fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms, and plays an important role in nitrogen recycling in the biosphere. UA is composed of urea carboxylase (UC) and allophanate hydrolase (AH) domains, which catalyze sequential reactions. In some organisms UC and AH are encoded by separated genes. We present here structure of the Kluyveromyces lactis UA (KlUA). The structure revealed that KlUA forms a compact homo-dimer with a molecular weight of 400 kDa. Structure inspired biochemical experiments revealed the mechanism of its reaction intermediate translocation, and that the KlUA holo-enzyme formation is essential for its optimal activity. Interestingly, previous studies and ours suggest that UC and AH encoded by separated genes probably do not form a KlUA-like complex, consequently they might not catalyze the urea to ammonium conversion as efficiently.
SSVEP-based Bremen–BCI interface—boosting information transfer rates

In recent years, there has been increased interest in using steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) in brain–computer interface (BCI) systems; the SSVEP approach currently provides the fastest and most reliable communication paradigm for the implementation of a non-invasive BCI. This paper presents recent developments in the signal processing of the SSVEP-based Bremen BCI system, which allowed one of the subjects in an online experiment to reach a peak information transfer rate (ITR) of 124 bit min−1. It is worth mentioning that this ITR value is higher than all values previously published in the literature for any kind of BCI paradigm.
Investigating Software Standards: A Lens of Sustainability for Software Crowdsourcing

Inevitably, the time has come that necessitates software systems to have long lasting social impact and environmental friendliness. Although sustainability related to environmental and social aspects have been well versed in the literature, software sustainability, for the way of development and as final product for use, is still not mature enough. With the increasing role of software crowdsourcing, a new working architecture for software development, in global software development (GSD) settings, has emerged challenges regarding sustainable software development and software sustainability, which are still to be elucidated. Software standards and models exist to assist co-located and global software development; however, seismic changes in the working architecture of software development as software crowdsourcing are highlighting a risk of software failure. Recently, statistics showed that only 30% of projects are successful, whereas 50% encounter challenges and the remaining 20% are absolute failures that implicate a challenge toward software success and its sustainability. This posits questions of how many IEEE and international standard organization standards exist that cover the sustainability aspects in particular to software development and how in-depth the development practices are addressing sustainable aspects in software crowdsourcing? Thus, the aim of this paper is to examine the IEEE software standards with a lens of sustainability to software crowdsourcing. After reviewing the existing IEEE standards related to sustainability, it has been observed that few standards exist which have discussed the importance of sustainability on an abstract level (energy and examining environmental influence by the computers) in software development. Moreover, standards are focusing less attention toward the sustainability of software development in the presence of new envision toward software crowdsourcing. Thus, a lack of any guideline toward sustainable software crowdsourcing is highlighted as one of the limitations in the software standards. This paper contributes to the GSD industry in two folds, first by laying down the importance and theoretical association on and around sustainable crowdsourcing, and second by highlighting that the IEEE standards, inadequacy toward the suppressing phenomena of sustainability in software crowdsourcing, if addressed adequately, can minimize the ripple effect toward software failure.
Loss of LOFSEP Transcription Factor Function Converts Spikelet to Leaf-Like Structures in Rice1[OPEN]

The LOFSEP transcription factors OsMADS1, OsMADS5, and OsMADS34 regulate rice spikelet morphogenesis, form higher order complexes, and promote the expression of other floral homeotic genes. SEPALLATA (SEP)-like genes, which encode a subfamily of MADS-box transcription factors, are essential for specifying floral organ and meristem identity in angiosperms. Rice (Oryza sativa) has five SEP-like genes with partial redundancy and overlapping expression domains, yet their functions and evolutionary conservation are only partially known. Here, we describe the biological role of one of the SEP genes of rice, OsMADS5, in redundantly controlling spikelet morphogenesis. OsMADS5 belongs to the conserved LOFSEP subgroup along with OsMADS1 and OsMADS34. OsMADS5 was expressed strongly across a broad range of reproductive stages and tissues. No obvious phenotype was observed in the osmads5 single mutants when compared with the wild type, which was largely due to the functional redundancy among the three LOFSEP genes. Genetic and molecular analyses demonstrated that OsMADS1, OsMADS5, and OsMADS34 together regulate floral meristem determinacy and specify the identities of spikelet organs by positively regulating the other MADS-box floral homeotic genes. Experiments conducted in yeast also suggested that OsMADS1, OsMADS5, and OsMADS34 form protein-protein interactions with other MADS-box floral homeotic members, which seems to be a typical, conserved feature of plant SEP proteins.
CARBON-GRAPHITE FIBER-REINFORCED POLYMERS FOR IMPLANT SUPRASTRUCTURES

Carbon-graphite fiber-reinforced polymers (CGFR) can be used as the core material for implant-retained prostheses as an alternative to metal frameworks. The purpose was to formulate and develop carbon-graphite fiber-reinforced polymers intended for implant suprastructures and to determine physicochemical, mechanical properties and possible cytotoxic effects. The adhesion strength between CGFR polymer to a titanium surface or CGFR polymer to opaquer layer/denture base polymer were evaluated. The resin mixtures, based on methyl methacrylate (MMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate), were produced with two different cross-linking agent systems: 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or diethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The matrix resins were reinforced with tubes of braided CG fibers, cleaned and treated with a size, with fiber loadings 24-58 wt%. Water uptake and water sorption/solubility was determined and dilatometric analysis was performed. Mechanical properties, adhesion, residual monomer and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Basic requirements regarding water sorption, water solubility, water uptake, residual MMA monomer, coefficient of linear thermal expansion were met and were similar for the two resin matrices. However, flexural properties and fracture toughness were higher for the matrix resin containing the cross linker diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, making it a more suitable resin binder. Flexural properties increased with fiber loadings up to and including 47 wt% (38 vol%) when tested in dry and wet condition. The combination of the described fiber surface treatment, the sizing resin and the developed resin matrix contributed to good adhesion between the carbongraphite fibers and the polymer matrix. Hydrothermal cycling did not decrease flexural strength of the CGFR polymers with 24 and 36 wt% fiber loadings, when compared to dry and water stored specimens. However, more porosity was observed with higher fiber loadings; flexural strength decreased after thermal cycling for fiber loadings of 47 wt% and 58 wt% in relation to composites tested in dry and wet condition. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity for the CGFR polymer and residual monomer content was within the international standard limits. Good adhesion with a cohesive fracture type was achieved between the layers of the silicatized titanium/CGFR polymer/ opaquer/denture base polymers. The combination of these materials in an implant-retained supraconstruction is promising for in vivo evaluation.
Depression predictors within six months of ischemic stroke: The DEPRESS Study

Background Depression negatively affects rehabilitation and quality of life after stroke. Identifying in the acute phase patients at high risk for post-stroke depression would facilitate early detection of depressive symptoms. Methods The DEPRESS (Depression Predictors after Ischemic Stroke) study was a prospective cohort study designed to identify baseline predictors of depression occurring within six months after ischemic stroke and high-risk patients for post-stroke depression. All patients without aphasia were screened for depression by a neurologist using the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the diagnosis was confirmed by a psychiatrist with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. In severely aphasic patients, depression was diagnosed using the Aphasic Depression Rating Scale and the Visual Analog Mood Scale. Results Depression was present in 61 of 251 (24%) patients enrolled in the DEPRESS study. Female gender, prior history of depression, major physical disability, prior history of stroke, stressful life event exposure in the month preceding stroke onset, and pathologic crying were significant predictors of depression within six months after ischemic stroke. Depression was more frequent in patients with left caudate and/or lenticular nucleus lesion (OR = 2.4, 95% confidence interval, 0.97–5.91), but the difference was not significant. The presence of ≥2 predictors identified the largest proportion of depressed patients (62%) in the smallest proportion of the cohort (36%). Conclusion Female gender, prior history of depression, major physical disability, prior history of stroke, recent stressful life event exposure before stroke, and pathologic crying were significant predictors of post-stroke depression occurring within six months after stroke onset.