Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using physiological signals to measure operator’s mental workload in shipping – an engine room simulator study

ABSTRACT Mental workload (MWL) is one of core elements of human factor construct reflecting arousal level, and its optimisation is crucial to maintain favourable operator functional state. However, sensible, reliable, and diagnostic measurement of MWL is essential for applications of adaptive aiding system design, usability testing, and seafarers’ training. To develop robust MWL measures, 10 participants voluntarily participated in a simulator-based experiment study. During this study, the participants carried out standard four-level calibration tasks and simulated four-level maritime operation tasks, their heart rate and electroencephalogram (EEG) were continuously measured using a heart rate sensor and an ambulatory EEG device, which includes an accelerometer to distinguish signal corruption epochs induced by body movement artefact. After each task, NASA Task Load Index was collected as subjective measurement. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the sensitivity of MWL measures and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated. The significantly sensitive indices for n-back task and simulator-based maritime operation task were different, supporting the limited cognitive resource pool theory. EEG features showed higher sensitivity than heart-rate-related measures.
Moisture Ingress, Behavior, and Prediction Inside Semiconductor Packaging: A Review

Reliability issues associated with moisture have become increasingly important as advanced electronic devices are nowhere more evident than in portable electronic products. The transition to the Pb-free solders, which require higher reflow temperature, makes the problem further exacerbated. Moisture absorbed into semiconductor packages can initiate many failure mechanisms, in particular interfacial delamination, degradation of adhesion strength, etc. The absorbed moisture can also result in catastrophic crack propagation during reflow process, the well-known phenomenon called popcorning. High vapor pressure inside pre-existing voids at material interfaces is known to be a dominant driving force of this phenomenon. This paper reviews various existing mechanisms of water accumulation inside voids. The procedures to obtain the critical hygroscopic properties are described. Advanced numerical modeling schemes to analyze the moisture diffusion phenomenon are followed with selected examples. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4035598]
Sixteenth-mode substrate integrated waveguide bandpass filter loaded with complementary split-ring resonator

A novel sixteenth-mode substrate integrated waveguide (SMSIW) bandpass filter loaded with complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) is proposed. The filter size is reduced by introducing the SMSIW circular cavity loaded with CSRR. The SMSIW occupies only 6.25% of the conventional substrate integrated waveguide with same resonant frequency. Further miniaturisation is achieved by loading the SMSIW circular cavities with CSRRs. The designed filter is centred at 2.45 GHz with a bandwidth of 8.2%. The measured minimum insertion loss is 0.9 dB and passband return loss is below 10 dB. Good agreement is achieved between simulated and measured results.
Improving shared decision-making for prosthetic care: A qualitative needs assessment of prosthetists and new lower-limb prosthesis users

Background: Prosthesis design is complex and multiple appropriate options exist for any individual with lower-limb amputation. However, there is insufficient evidence for guiding decision-making. Shared decision-making (SDM) offers an opportunity to incorporate patient-specific values and preferences where evidence is lacking for prosthesis design decisions. To develop resources to facilitate SDM, and consistent with the International Patient Decision Aid Standards, it is necessary to identify the decisional needs of prosthetists and prosthesis users for prosthesis design decisions. Objectives: To assess the needs of prosthetists and new prosthesis users for SDM about the first prosthesis design. Study design: Qualitative descriptive design. Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with 38 prosthetists. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 new prosthesis users. Transcripts were analyzed using directed content analysis, with codes defined a priori using existing frameworks for SDM: the Three Talk Model for SDM and the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Results: Four main themes were identified among prosthetists and prosthesis users: acknowledging complexity in communication, clarifying values, recognizing the role of experience to inform preferences, and understanding the prosthetic journey. Conclusions: Resources that support SDM for the first prosthesis design should consider methods for identifying individual communication needs, support with clarifying values, and resources such as experience for achieving informed preferences, within the context of the overall course of rehabilitation and recovery following lower-limb amputation. The themes identified in this work can inform SDM to promote collaborative discussion between prosthetists and new prosthesis users when making prosthesis design decisions.
A homozygous exonic variant leading to exon skipping in ABCC8 as the cause of severe congenital hyperinsulinism

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is genetically heterogeneous, caused by pathogenic variants in multiple known genes regulating insulin secretion from the pancreatic β‐cells. The ABCC8 gene encodes the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), a key player in insulin secretion, and pathogenic variants in ABCC8 are the most common cause of CHI. With increased application of genetic testing in clinical practice, variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS) are commonly reported. Additional functional investigation for variant pathogenicity is fundamental in establishing definitive molecular diagnosis and in guiding clinical management. However, due to the lack of ubiquitous tissue expression of these genes, obtaining functional studies on affected tissue has been challenging. We present a case of severe congenital hyperinsulinism which required a near‐total pancreatectomy. CHI gene sequencing identified a homozygous silent variant in ABCC8 located on the last nucleotide of exon 38, c.4608G>A (p.Ala1536Ala). The total RNA was isolated from pancreas resected at the time of pancreatectomy. RNA sequencing and expression analysis demonstrated exon 38 skipping and decreased RNA expression, which supports the pathogenicity of this variant. This case highlights the feasibility of functional studies of VUS on resected pancreatic tissue. The result expands the mutation spectrum in ABCC8 and allows precise genetic counseling to affected families.
Colposcopic multimodal fusion for the classification of cervical lesions

Objective: Cervical cancer is one of the two biggest killers of women and early detection of cervical precancerous lesions can effectively improve the survival rate of patients. Manual diagnosis by combining colposcopic images and clinical examination results is the main clinical diagnosis method at present. Developing an intelligent diagnosis algorithm based on artificial intelligence is an inevitable trend to solve the objectification of diagnosis and improve the quality and efficiency of diagnosis. Approach: A colposcopic multimodal fusion convolutional neural network (CMF-CNN) was proposed for the classification of cervical lesions. Mask region convolutional neural network was used to detect the cervical region while the encoding network EfficientNet-B3 was introduced to extract the multimodal image features from the acetic image and iodine image. Finally, Squeeze-and-Excitation, Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling, and convolution block were also adopted to encode and fuse the patient’s clinical text information. Main results: The experimental results showed that in 7106 cases of colposcopy, the accuracy, macro F1-score, macro-areas under the curve of the proposed model were 92.70%, 92.74%, 98.56%, respectively. They are superior to the mainstream unimodal image classification models. Significance: CMF-CNN proposed in this paper combines multimodal information, which has high performance in the classification of cervical lesions in colposcopy, so it can provide comprehensive diagnostic aid.
Analysis of the expression levels of chemerin, ox‐LDL, MMP‐9, and PAPP‐A in ICVD patients and their relationship with the severity of neurological impairment

The study aimed to analyze the relationship between expression levels of chemerin, oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) in ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) patients and the relationship between the mentioned indicators and the degree of neurological impairment.
Objective Personality Determination: A Useful Addition to the Traditional Process of Pediatric Surgical Fellow Selection

Background Selection of pediatric surgical trainees is a multifaceted process heavily influenced by in-person interviews to determine personality makeup and institutional compatibility. We present our experience in utilizing a validated personality inventory in the selection of our candidates. Methods All applicants selected for an in-person interview for the 2020 Pediatric Surgery Match were offered the Big Five Inventory (BFI) questionnaire. An initial rank order list (ROL) was formulated employing application information and in-person interview score. A reformulated ROL was created after incorporating BFI data. Correlation of specific personality characteristics vs position on the ROL was assessed for both the initial ROL and the reformulated ROL. Results Thirty-four applicants were interviewed and 24 (70.6%) were ranked. Linear regression analysis identified a lower neuroticism score directly related to a higher position on the initial ROL {R = . 4626, P = . 023}. The reformulated ROL identified a higher conscientiousness score {R = . 5331; P = . 007} and a lower neuroticism score {R = −. 4383; P = . 032} correlated with ascending the final ROL. Conclusions The self-administered BFI adds objectivity to personality determination gleamed from the standard face-to-face interview. Conscientiousness and neuroticism had a significant impact on the final ROL position. Adding objective personality data appears to provide additional aid in this difficult process.
Immune Responses Induced by Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Expressing the PEDV Spike Protein Targeted at Microfold Cells

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), a probiotic bacterium and feeding additive, is widely used for heterologous antigen expression and protective immunisation. Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) invades swine via mucosal tissue. To enhance the mucosal immune response to PEDV, we modified B. subtilis to express a PEDV antigen and used it as a mucosal vaccine delivery system. Initially, we constructed a recombinant B. subtilis strain (B.s-RCL) that expressed the PEDV spike protein and L-Lectin-β-GF, with the goal of inducing mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and anti-PEDV serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) production, as well as to increase the number of microfold cells (M cells). Following the oral administration of B.s-RCL to mice, the small intestinal PEDV-specific sIgA expression levels significantly increased, as well as the increased number of B.s-RCL adhered to M cells. Moreover, we found that mice administered B.s-RCL exhibited markedly higher percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen compared to the control mice. Furthermore, we found that intestinal mucosa sIgA and serum anti-PEDV IgG levels were higher in mice orally immunised with B.s-RCL, suggesting that the mice could be more resistant to PEDV. In this study, we developed a novel oral vaccine to prevent porcine diarrhoea epidemics.
Evolution of transcription factor binding through sequence variations and turnover of binding sites

Variations in noncoding regulatory sequences play a central role in evolution. Interpreting such variations, however, remains difficult even in the context of defined attributes such as transcription factor (TF) binding sites. Here, we systematically link variations in cis-regulatory sequences to TF binding by profiling the allele-specific binding of 27 TFs expressed in a yeast hybrid, in which two related genomes are present within the same nucleus. TFs localize preferentially to sites containing their known consensus motifs but occupy only a small fraction of the motif-containing sites available within the genomes. Differential binding of TFs to the orthologous alleles was well explained by variations that alter motif sequence, whereas differences in chromatin accessibility between alleles were of little apparent effect. Motif variations that abolished binding when present in only one allele were still bound when present in both alleles, suggesting evolutionary compensation, with a potential role for sequence conservation at the motif's vicinity. At the level of the full promoter, we identify cases of binding-site turnover, in which binding sites are reciprocally gained and lost, yet most interspecific differences remained uncompensated. Our results show the flexibility of TFs to bind imprecise motifs and the fast evolution of TF binding sites between related species.
Association of genetic variants related to combined exposure to higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratio on lifelong cardiovascular risk in UK Biobank

Abstract Objective: This study examines the individual and combined association of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with CVD risk using genetic scores of the obesity measurements as proxies. Design: A 2 × 2 factorial analysis approach was applied, with participants divided into four groups of lifetime exposure to low BMI and WHR, high BMI, high WHR, and high BMI and WHR based on weighted genetic risk scores. The difference in CVD risk across groups was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Setting: Cohort study. Participants: A total of 408 003 participants were included from the prospective observational UK Biobank study. Results: A total of 58 429 CVD events were recorded. Compared to the low BMI and WHR genetic scores group, higher BMI or higher WHR genetic scores were associated with an increase in CVD risk (high WHR: OR, 1·07; 95 % CI (1·04, 1·10)); high BMI: OR, 1·12; 95 % CI (1·09, 1·16). A weak additive effect on CVD risk was found between BMI and WHR (high BMI and WHR: OR, 1·16; 95 % CI (1·12, 1·19)). Subgroup analysis showed similar patterns between different sex, age (<65, ≥65 years old), smoking status, Townsend deprivation index, fasting glucose level and medication uses, but lower systolic blood pressure was associated with higher CVD risk in obese participants. Conclusions: High BMI and WHR were associated with increased CVD risk, and their effects are weakly additive. Even though there were overlapping of effect, both BMI and WHR are important in assessing the CVD risk in the general population.
Interventions to reduce loneliness among Chinese older adults: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies.

This meta-analytic study investigates the effectiveness of different interventions in alleviating loneliness among Chinese older adults aged 50 years and above. We searched eight English databases, four Chinese databases, and grey literature. Thirty-four studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 30 quasi-experimental studies, were eventually included in the meta-analysis (n = 3843). Quality appraisal indicated risks of bias in the included studies. The pooled effect size was large and significant (Hedge's g = 0.84, 95% CI [0.54, 1.15]), indicating the effectiveness of interventions in reducing loneliness. However, the effect size may be overestimated due to publication bias. Moderation analyses showed significant differences in effect sizes by study designs and regions of studies. Network meta-analysis (NMA) indicated that hybrid and psychological interventions appeared to be advantageous over others. In addition, group-based delivery modes can add extra benefits to the interventions. This study adds to the knowledge of the effectiveness of current interventions in reducing Chinese older people's loneliness. However, the findings need to be interpreted with caution due to the relatively low study quality, considerable heterogeneity, and publication bias. Despite the limitations, this study offers valuable insights for future research, practice, and policy-making in reducing older people's loneliness.
Recent Progress of Cellulose-Based Hydrogel Photocatalysts and Their Applications

With the development of science and technology, photocatalytic technology is of great interest. Nanosized photocatalysts are easy to agglomerate in an aqueous solution, which is unfavorable for recycling. Therefore, hydrogel-based photocatalytic composites were born. Compared with other photocatalytic carriers, hydrogels have a three-dimensional network structure, high water absorption, and a controllable shape. Meanwhile, the high permeability of these composites is an effective way to promote photocatalysis technology by inhibiting nanoparticle photo corrosion, while significantly ensuring the catalytic activity of the photocatalysts. With the growing energy crisis and limited reserves of traditional energy sources such as oil, the attention of researchers was drawn to natural polymers. Like almost all abundant natural polymer compounds in the world, cellulose has the advantages of non-toxicity, degradability, and biocompatibility. It is used as a class of reproducible crude material for the preparation of hydrogel photocatalytic composites. The network structure and high hydroxyl active sites of cellulose-based hydrogels improve the adsorption performance of catalysts and avoid nanoparticle collisions, indirectly enhancing their photocatalytic performance. In this paper, we sum up the current research progress of cellulose-based hydrogels. After briefly discussing the properties and preparation methods of cellulose and its descendant hydrogels, we explore the effects of hydrogels on photocatalytic properties. Next, the cellulose-based hydrogel photocatalytic composites are classified according to the type of catalyst, and the research progress in different fields is reviewed. Finally, the challenges they will face are summarized, and the development trends are prospected.
Identifying Vehicular Crash High Risk Locations along Highways via Spatial Autocorrelation Indices and Kernel Density Estimation

Identifying vehicular crash high risk locations along highways is important for understanding the causes of vehicle crashes and to determine effective countermeasures based on the analysis. This paper presents a GIS approach to examine the spatial patterns of vehicle crashes and determines if they are spatially clustered, dispersed, or random. Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistic are employed to examine spatial patterns, clusters mapping of vehicle crash data, and to generate high risk locations along highways. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) is used to generate crash concentration maps that show the road density of crashes. The proposed approach is evaluated using the 2013 vehicle crash data in the state of Indiana. Results show that the approach is efficient and reliable in identifying vehicle crash hot spots and unsafe road locations.
Benchmarking of univariate pleiotropy detection methods applied to epilepsy

Pleiotropy is a widespread phenomenon that may increase insight into the etiology of biological and disease traits. Since genome‐wide association studies frequently provide information on a single trait only, only univariate pleiotropy detection methods are applicable, with yet unknown comparative performance. Here, we compared five such methods with respect to their ability to detect pleiotropy, including meta‐analysis, ASSET, conditional false discovery rate (cFDR), cross‐phenotype Bayes (CPBayes), and pleiotropic analysis under the composite null hypothesis (PLACO), by performing extended computer simulations that varied the underlying etiological model for pleiotropy for a pair of traits, including the number of causal variants, degree of traits' overlap, effect sizes as well as trait prevalence, and varying sample sizes. Our results indicate that ASSET provides the best trade‐off between power and protection against false positives. We then applied ASSET to a previously published International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) consortium data set on complex epilepsies, comprising genetic generalized epilepsy and focal epilepsy cases and corresponding controls. We identified a novel candidate locus at 17q21.32 and confirmed locus 2q24.3, previously identified to act pleiotropically on both epilepsy subtypes by a mega‐analysis. Functional annotation, tissue‐specific expression, and regulatory function analysis as well as Bayesian colocalization analysis corroborated this result, rendering 17q21.32 a worthwhile candidate for follow‐up studies on pleiotropy in epilepsies.
Exposure to Media Messages Portraying Effects of Alcohol Use in a Young Adult Sample

Abstract Background: Young adults are prolific media users and tend to use substances, such as alcohol, more than people of other ages. Despite much research on young adults’ exposure to alcohol advertisements and portrayals of alcohol use in the media, much is still unknown about the nuances of young adults’ exposure to and engagement with alcohol-related media content. The present paper examined how college students’ media exposure differed for messages portraying positive and negative alcohol effects, how exposure to alcohol-related content differed across media sources, which themes of alcoholrelated content were seen most, and whether exposure to alcohol-related content was associated with hazardous/harmful drinking. Method: Participants (N=500) were two- and four-year college students (Mage=20.90, SDage=1.70, 63.2% female) recruited for a longitudinal study examining the efficacy of a mobile app intervention for high-risk drinking college students. The data used here comes from the baseline survey. Results: Participants reported the greatest exposure to alcohol-related messages in movies/TV/on-demand streaming shows followed by in social media, and they reported greater exposure to messages portraying positive than negative effects of alcohol. Findings from linear regressions indicated that exposure to messages portraying positive or negative effects of alcohol generally did not predict hazardous/harmful drinking. Conclusion: This sample of high-risk college student drinkers reported seeing alcohol-related content through a variety of media sources, with most content portraying alcohol in a positive light. Future research should assess the effects that messages of different types and from different sources have on use, expectancies, norms, and other outcomes.