Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of visit‐to‐visit glycemic variability with risk of cardiovascular diseases in high‐risk Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A subanalysis of the EMPATHY trial

Long‐term glycemic variability is important for predicting diabetic complications, but evaluation in a Japanese population is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between visit‐to‐visit glycemic variability (VVV) and cardiovascular diseases (CV) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, using the prospective cohort of the EMPATHY trial.
Twenty-Year Public Health Impact of 7- and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines in US Children

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have been used in the United States since 2000. To assess the cumulative 20-year effect of PCVs on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence among children <5 years of age, we analyzed Active Bacterial Core Surveillance data, conducted a literature review, and modeled expected and observed disease. We found that PCVs have averted >282,000 cases of IPD, including ≈16,000 meningitis, ≈172,000 bacteremia, and ≈55,000 bacteremic pneumonia cases. In addition, vaccination has prevented 97 million healthcare visits for otitis media, 438,914–706,345 hospitalizations for pneumonia, and 2,780 total deaths. IPD cases declined 91%, from 15,707 in 1997 to 1,382 in 2019. Average annual visits for otitis media declined 41%, from 78 visits/100 children before PCV introduction to 46 visits/100 children after PCV13 introduction. Annual pneumonia hospitalizations declined 66%–79%, from 110,000–175,000 in 1997 to 37,000 in 2019. These findings confirm the substantial benefits of PCVs for preventing IPD in children.
Is climacterium by the mid-40s associated with thyroid dysfunction or autoimmunity? A population-based study

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Objective: We investigated whether more advanced climacteric stage in the mid-40s is associated with thyroid autoimmunity and dysfunction. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study included 2,569 46-year-old women. Thyroid hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were determined. Using menstrual history and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, the participants were divided into climacteric (n = 340) and preclimacteric (n = 2,229) groups. Women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (menopause by 40 y of age) were excluded. The use of thyroid medication was evaluated from the medication reimbursement register. The prevalence of thyroid medication use, laboratory-based thyroid dysfunction, and thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity was compared between the two groups. The association between climacteric status and thyroid disorders was investigated using a logistic regression model including smoking and thyroid antibody status. Results: At 46 years old, climacteric women used thyroid medication more often than preclimacteric women (9.1% vs 6.1%; P = 0.04). There was no difference in the prevalence of subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in nonmedicated participants (5.5% vs 5.0%; P = 0.7) or thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity (14.0% vs 15.0%, P = 0.7). In the regression model, being climacteric (OR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3; P = 0.02) and antibody positivity (OR 4.9; 95% CI 3.6-6.6; P < 0.001) were associated with a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. Conclusions: More advanced climacteric stage in the mid-40s was slightly associated with thyroid dysfunction but not thyroid autoimmunity. Video Summary:http://links.lww. com/MENO/A771.
Statistical modeling of numbers of human deaths per road traffic accident in the Oromia region, Ethiopia

Background Globally, road traffic accidents are the leading causes of death among young people in general, and the main cause of death among young people aged 15–29 years. Recently, in Ethiopia, the number of road traffic accidents has been increasing. The study aimed to identify the potential factors associated with the number of human deaths by road traffic accidents in the Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods We used data obtained from the Oromia region traffic police office recorded on daily basis road traffic accidents from July 2016 up to July 2017. Count regression models were was used to analyses the factors associated with the number of human deaths from road traffic accidents. Results Age of the driver’s 31–50 years (AOR = 0.289, 95%CI: 0.175, 0.479) and higher than 50 years old (AOR = 0.311, 95%CI: 0.129, 0.751), driver’s years of experience 5–10 years (AOR = 0.014, 95%CI: 0.007, 0.027), and more than 10 years (AOR = 0.101, 95%CI: 0.057, 0.176), automobile vehicle type (AOR = 8.642, 95%CI: 2.7644, 27.023), vehicle years of service 5–10 years (AOR = 2.484, 95%CI: 1.194, 5.169), and more than 10 years (AOR = 2.639, 95%CI: 1.268, 5.497), vehicle upside down accidents (AOR = 5.560, 95%CI: 2.506, 12.336), turning illegal position (AOR = 0.454, 95%CI: 0.226, 0.913), residential areas (AOR = 108.506, 95%CI: 13.725, 857.798), and working areas (AOR = 129.606, 95%CI: 16.448, 1021.263) were significant associated number of human deaths per road traffic accident factors in the study area. Conclusion Human deaths per road traffic accidents occurred due to the younger age of the driver, driver’s lack of sufficient experience, vehicle serviced for long years, driving on a wet road, driving in the afternoon, driving near/around residential places and vehicle to driver’s relation. Thus, the regional traffic police should give special attention to younger drivers, less experienced drivers, old vehicles, driving near residential areas, driving automobiles, and driving in the afternoon to control traffic system to reduce the number of human deaths pear road traffic accident.
Higher volume of water intake is associated with lower risk of albuminuria and chronic kidney disease

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Increased water intake correlated to lower vasopressin level and may benefit kidney function. However, results of previous studies were conflicted and inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the association between water intake and risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and albuminuria. In this cross-sectional study, the study population were adult participants of 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) whose estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2. Data of water intake were obtained from the NHANES 24-h dietary recall questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups based on volume of water intake: <500 (low, n = 1589), ≥500 to <1200 (moderate, n = 1359), and ≥1200 ml/day (high, n = 1685). CKD was defined as eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and albuminuria as albumin–to–creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥30 mg/g. Our results showed that 377 out of 4633 participants had CKD; the prevalence inversely correlated to volume of water intake: 10.7% in low, 8.2% in moderate, and 5.6% in high intake groups (P < .001). Prevalence of albuminuria was also lower in high (9.5%) compared with moderate (12.8%) and low intake groups (14.1%), P < . 001. Additionally, water intake positively correlated to eGFR and negatively correlated to urinary ACR, as well as plasma and urine osmolality. Multivariable logistic regression showed that low water intake group had higher risk of CKD (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01–1.82) and albuminuria when compared to high water intake group (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.13–1.79). In conclusion, increased water intake was associated lower risk of CKD and albuminuria. Meticulous studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Clinical and Radiologic Features, Pathology, and Treatment of Baló Concentric Sclerosis

Objective To describe clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of Baló concentric sclerosis (BCS) and assess overlap between BCS and other CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases. Methods Retrospective review of BCS cases from US and Australian tertiary care centers. Results We identified 40 BCS cases with 38 available MRIs. Solitary MRI lesions were present in 26% (10/38). We saw >1 active concurrent BCS lesion in 45% (17/38). A third (13/38) had multiple sclerosis–suggestive lesions on the index MRI, of which 10 fulfilled Barkhof criteria. In patients with serial MRI performed within 1 month of the index MRI, lesions expanded radially with sequentially increased numbers of T2 hyperintense rings 52% (14/27). Initially nonenhancing or centrally enhancing lesions subsequently developed single or multiple enhancing rings (41%; 9/22) and incomplete enhancing rings (14%; 3/22). Discordance between rings as they appear on apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion-weighted imaging, and gadolinium-enhanced imaging was observed in 67% (22/33). Aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (n = 26) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G (n = 21) were negative in all patients with serum available. Clinical response to steroid treatment was seen in 46% (13/28). A monophasic clinical course was present in 56% (18/32) at last follow-up (median 27.5 months; range 3–100 months). The initial attack was fatal in 10% (4/40). Median time from symptom onset to death was 23 days (range 19–49 days). All 17 patients with pathology available demonstrated typical findings of multiple sclerosis. Patients with active demyelinating lesions all demonstrated oligodendrocytopathy (pattern III). Conclusions BCS may be a distinct subtype of multiple sclerosis characterized by pattern III immunopathology.
Electrode pooling: boosting the yield of extracellular recordings with switchable silicon probes

State-of-the-art silicon probes for electrical recording from neurons have thousands of recording sites. However, due to volume limitations there are typically many fewer wires carrying signals off the probe, which restricts the number of channels that can be recorded simultaneously. To overcome this fundamental constraint, we propose a novel method called electrode pooling that uses a single wire to serve many recording sites through a set of controllable switches. Here we present the framework behind this method and an experimental strategy to support it. We then demonstrate its feasibility by implementing electrode pooling on the Neuropixels 1.0 electrode array and characterizing its effect on signal and noise. Finally we use simulations to explore the conditions under which electrode pooling saves wires without compromising the content of the recordings. We make recommendations on the design of future devices to take advantage of this strategy.
Homeostatic control of synaptic rewiring in recurrent networks induces the formation of stable memory engrams

Brain networks store new memories using functional and structural synaptic plasticity. Memory formation is generally attributed to Hebbian plasticity, while homeostatic plasticity is thought to have an ancillary role in stabilizing network dynamics. Here we report that homeostatic plasticity alone can also lead to the formation of stable memories. We analyze this phenomenon using a new theory of network remodeling, combined with numerical simulations of recurrent spiking neural networks that exhibit structural plasticity based on firing rate homeostasis. These networks are able to store repeatedly presented patterns and recall them upon the presentation of incomplete cues. Storage is fast, governed by the homeostatic drift. In contrast, forgetting is slow, driven by a diffusion process. Joint stimulation of neurons induces the growth of associative connections between them, leading to the formation of memory engrams. These memories are stored in a distributed fashion throughout connectivity matrix, and individual synaptic connections have only a small influence. Although memory-specific connections are increased in number, the total number of inputs and outputs of neurons undergo only small changes during stimulation. We find that homeostatic structural plasticity induces a specific type of “silent memories”, different from conventional attractor states.
Noncompete Agreements in the US Labor Force

Using nationally representative survey data on 11,505 labor force participants, we examine the use and implementation of noncompete agreements and the employee outcomes associated with these provisions. Approximately 18 percent of labor force participants are bound by noncompetes, with 38 percent having agreed to at least one in the past. Noncompetes are more likely to be found in high-skill, high-paying jobs, but they are also common in low-skill, low-paying jobs and in states where noncompetes are unenforceable. Only 10 percent of employees negotiate over their noncompetes, and about one-third of employees are presented with noncompetes after having already accepted job offers. Early-notice noncompetes are associated with better employee outcomes, while employees who agree to late-notice noncompetes are comparatively worse off. Regardless of noncompete timing, however, wages are relatively lower where noncompetes are easier to enforce. We discuss these findings in light of competing theories of the economic value of noncompetes.
Cross-Ethnic Friendships among Ethnic Minority and Han Students at a Chinese University

This article examines cross-ethnic friendships among ethnic minority and Han majority students at a Chinese university. This university is characterized by its institutional mission to meet the needs of ethnic minority students and its commitment to serving as a minority-majority university. However, our study demonstrates that high levels of intergroup contact cannot be presumed in ethnically diverse environments. In fact, patterns of cross-ethnic friendships varied widely among ethnic minority and Han students as a result of various factors such as language fluency and ethnic homophily. Gordon Allport’s intergroup contact hypothesis provided a useful conceptual framework to highlight the conditions that either constrain or promote positive intergroup contact and cross-ethnic friendships in higher education settings.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Staphylococcus saprophyticus Strains Isolated from African Fermented Nono in Nigeria

Five Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains were isolated from the fermented milk product nono in Nigeria and were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. The genome sizes ranged from 2.53 to 2.60 Mbp, while the GC contents ranged from 32.99 to 33.07 mol%. The genomes possessed 2,505 to 2,687 protein-coding sequences. ABSTRACT Five Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains were isolated from the fermented milk product nono in Nigeria and were sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform. The genome sizes ranged from 2.53 to 2.60 Mbp, while the GC contents ranged from 32.99 to 33.07 mol%. The genomes possessed 2,505 to 2,687 protein-coding sequences.
Near-Complete Genome Sequence of GI-17 Lineage Infectious Bronchitis Virus, Circulating in Iowa

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AvIBV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens which results in significant economic losses in the poultry industry. Here, we report a near-complete genome sequence of the strain, designated IA1162/2020, identified in tracheal swabs from chickens in Iowa in 2020. ABSTRACT Avian infectious bronchitis virus (AvIBV) is the causative agent of a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens which results in significant economic losses in the poultry industry. Here, we report a near-complete genome sequence of the strain, designated IA1162/2020, identified in tracheal swabs from chickens in Iowa in 2020.
Multi-touch exploration and sonification of line segments

We present SoundLines, a mobile app designed to support children with visual impairments in exercising spatial exploration skills. This is achieved through multi-touch discovery of line segments on touchscreen, coupled with sonification feedback. SoundLines is implemented as a game in which a kitten is guided to find its mother cat by tracing the line connecting them on touchscreen. User study with 4 visually impaired adults assessed the app accessibility and the feasibility of multi-touch exploration, compared to single-touch. While there were limited differences between single-and multi-touch modalities, results indicate that proprioceptive sensing is predominant in multi-touch exploration and that audio feedback provides benefits mostly in single-touch exploration.
A Multi-source Unsupervised Domain Adaptation Method for Wearable Sensor based Human Activity Recognition: Poster Abstract

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) refers to recognizing a human's ongoing actions through sensor data. At present, one of the main problems faced by Human Activity Recognition is that different subjects, devices and wearing positions can cause inconsistent sensor data distribution. When a classification model trained using some labeled dataset is used to classify a new unlabeled data with different distributions, there will be a significant performance loss. However, it is difficult to annotate manually sensor data for new subjects. Prior works applying unsupervised domain adaptation methods to solve this problem only used a single source domain. However, in practice, it is common to have multiple labeled source domains. Inspired by a work in the field of computer vision, we propose an unsupervised domain adaptation method for human activity recognition using multiple source domains. Experimental results on a commonly used public HAR dataset show that our model can effectively alleviate the performance loss caused by inconsistent distributions. Moreover, compared with the single-source domain adaptation, the multi-source domain adaptation method can improve the accuracy further.
Forming a Mechanism For Preventing The Violations in Cyberspace at The Time of Digitalization: Common cyber threats and ways to escape them

The number of crimes in the sphere of computer technologies is increasing. One of the key reasons why cybercrimes are on the rise is the spread and development of the Internet: there are more people and more money. A system approach to the problem is needed. In the paper the authors carry out a system analysis of risks and hazards of the Internet technologies used today, study the vectors of cyber-crimes and suggest responsive tools to prevent them. The main goal was to evaluate risks that can be met vie Internet technologies and classify them, as well as describe the fraud and data stealing in Internet. Based on the conducted general analysis of risks and hazards of the technologies used today, conclusions are made about the need for a wider application and enhancement of Deepfake technology to fight cybercrimes.
Cloud Application For Sheet Materials Cutting Optimization

The purpose of this study is to provide a working SaaS application that can be used for sheet materials cutting optimization using heuristics. For the research, literature and open sources in the internet were analyzed. The list of the most common and well-known applications for cutting optimization was formed. The cloud and on premises applications were briefly compared and cloud solutions advantages were highlighted. Few algorithms were chosen and implemented using JavaScript on server-side and deployed, using Amazon Web Services. However, there is a great room for improvement for methods used and implementation of algorithm for automatic cutting method choosing.
IIOT Within The Architecture Of The Manufacturing Company

The introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industry can increase the level of production management, increase the speed of managerial decision-making, and provide higher quality products. The article discusses the use of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in the architecture of a manufacturing enterprise. The technical solutions currently used and the main effects of the introduction of the Industrial Internet of Things are analyzed.
A selection approach to the criteria for evaluating cloud platforms for conducting IT projects

At the present stage, cloud computing is one of the most promising and actively implemented technology. Many IT companies are willing to migrate to the cloud in order to minimize operational costs and be able to scale up IT infrastructure whenever it is needed. However, the problem of choosing a selection approach for evaluating cloud platforms is challenging for decision makers. The article is devoted to the review of existing methodologies and models for choosing an appropriate cloud platform. The authors also propose a developed set of criteria for evaluating cloud platforms and demonstrate how it could be used comparing Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform solutions.
AccessComics: an accessible digital comic book reader for people with visual impairments

A number of researches have been conducted to improve the accessibility of various types of images on the web (e.g., photos and artworks) for people with visual impairments. However, little has been studied on making comics accessible. As a formative study, we first conducted an online survey with 68 participants who are blind or have low vision. Based on their prior experiences with audio-books and eBooks, we propose AccessComics, an accessible digital comic book reader for people with visual impairments. An interview study and prototype evaluation with eight participants with visual impairments revealed implications that can further improve the accessibility of comic books for people with visual impairments. The results showed that the participants' preferred features of the prototype, audiobook and eBook.
Flow-induced vibrations of a square prism free to oscillate in the cross-flow and inline directions

Abstract We study flow-induced vibrations of a square prism free to oscillate in two degrees of freedom (cross-flow (CF) and inline (IL)), and placed in flow at varying angles of attack, by measuring the prism's displacement and flow-induced forces in both degrees of freedom experimentally, and conducting hydrogen bubble visualizations, as well as bubble image velocimetry. At large angles of attack (where $\alpha = 45^{\circ }$ corresponds to the case where one of the edges of the prism sees the flow first), we observe a two degree of freedom vortex-induced vibration (VIV) response with a figure-eight trajectory, similar to what has been observed for a cylinder with two degrees of freedom. As the angle of attack is decreased, the figure-eight trajectory transitions to a teardrop trajectory, suggesting a $1:1$ ratio between the oscillation frequencies in the CF and IL directions. The VIV response remains to be the dominant response down to an angle of attack of $\alpha = 20^{\circ }$. At angles of attack of $\alpha = 10^{\circ }$ and $\alpha = 15^{\circ }$, the VIV response becomes negligible and elliptical trajectories are observed at higher reduced velocities. These elliptical trajectories then become four-lobe trajectories with amplitudes mainly in the CF direction at the lowest angles of attack (where a side of the square sees the flow first) and galloping-type response is observed, where the amplitude of oscillations is increased with increasing reduced velocity. Deviations from a typical galloping response are observed due to synchronizations between the shedding frequency and oscillation frequency at ranges of higher reduced velocities.