Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semiparametric estimation of marginal mark distribution

In many applications, the outcome of interest is a mark such that its observation is contingent upon occurrence of an event. With incomplete follow-up data, the marginal mark distribution is, however, nonparametrically nowhere identifiable in many practical situations. To address this problem, we suggest a semiparametric model that postulates a normal copula for the association between the mark and survival time, but leaves the marginals unspecified. We show identifiability of the marginal mark distribution under this model, and propose an inference procedure. The estimated marginal distribution function is consistent and asymptotically normal, and it provides a basis for estimating summaries of the mark. Furthermore, we propose graphical model-checking methods and Kolmogorov--Smirnov-type goodness-of-fit tests. Simulation studies demonstrate that the inference procedure performs well in practical settings. The method is applied to the estimation of lifetime medical cost in a lung cancer trial. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Unifiers as equivalences: proof-relevant unification of dependently typed data

Dependently typed languages such as Agda, Coq and Idris use a syntactic first-order unification algorithm to check definitions by dependent pattern matching. However, these algorithms don’t adequately consider the types of the terms being unified, leading to various unintended results. As a consequence, they require ad hoc restrictions to preserve soundness, but this makes them very hard to prove correct, modify, or extend. This paper proposes a framework for reasoning formally about unification in a dependently typed setting. In this framework, unification rules compute not just a unifier but also a corresponding correctness proof in the form of an equivalence between two sets of equations. By rephrasing the standard unification rules in a proof-relevant manner, they are guaranteed to preserve soundness of the theory. In addition, it enables us to safely add new rules that can exploit the dependencies between the types of equations. Using our framework, we reimplemented the unification algorithm used by Agda. As a result, we were able to replace previous ad hoc restrictions with formally verified unification rules, fixing a number of bugs in the process. We are convinced this will also enable the addition of new and interesting unification rules in the future, without compromising soundness along the way.
Gamma-Ray Burst Afterglow Light Curves in the Pre-Swift Era: A Statistical Study

We present the results of a systematic analysis of the world sample of optical/near-infrared afterglow light curves observed in the pre-Swift era by the end of 2004. After selecting the best observed 16 afterglows with well-sampled light curves that can be described by a Beuermann equation, we explore the parameter space of the light-curve parameters and physical quantities related to them. In addition, we search for correlations between these parameters and the corresponding gamma-ray data, and we use our data set to look for a fine structure in the light curves.
Lexical access for large-vocabulary speech recognition

In this paper, the lexical characteristics of two Chinese dialects and American English are explored. Different lexical representations are investigated, including the tonal syllables, base syllables, phonemes, and the broad phonetic classes. Multiple measurements are made, such as coverage, uniqueness, and cohort sizes. Our results are based on lexicons of 44K and 52K words in Chinese and English obtained from the CallHome Corpus and the COMLEX Corpus, respectively. We have found that the set of the most frequent 4,000 words has coverage of 92% and 77% for Chinese and English, respectively. The phonetic representation unique specifies 85%, 87% and 93% of the lexicon for Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, respectively. While the three languages appear quite different when they are described by their full phoneme sets, their characteristics are more similar when they are represented in terms of broad phonetic classes.
ADHD follow-up care : the children's perspective

Background There are indications that the follow-up care of attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has shortcomings in primary care. To gain more insight in the current quality of the follow-up care, the Health Council of the Netherlands recommends to investigate this. Therefore, it is important to examine the children’s perspective regarding the ADHD follow-up care. Objective The aim of this research was to gain insight in the quality of the follow-up care for children with ADHD from the perspective of children with ADHD. Methods A qualitative exploratory research method was used, using individual semi-structured interviews. The research was carried out in region Twente in the Netherlands. The nine interviewed children were aged from 9 till 11 years and have ADHD as primary disorder. The interviews were analyzed using open-coding thematic analysis. Results A total of seven themes were identified reflecting the experiences, needs, and preferences of the children regarding the follow-up care. Conclusion Through this research, it became evident how the follow-up care is provided, giving insight in the current quality of the follow-up care. Many needs and preferences were identified, which can be used in de optimization of the follow-up care in the Netherlands.
An Octacalcium Phosphate Forming Cement

The osteoconductive and possibly osteoinductive characteristics of OCP increased the interest in preparation of bone graft materials that contain OCP in its composition. Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) were prepared using a mixture of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA), with α-TCP/DCPA molar ratio of 1/1 and distilled water or 0.5 mol/L phosphate aqueous solution (pH = 6.1 ± 0.1) as the cement liquid. Hardening time was (30 ± 1) min for the CPC mixed with water and (5 ± 1) min for the CPC mixed with phosphate solution. Diametral tensile strength (DTS), porosity (P), and phase composition (powder x-ray diffraction) were determined after the hardened specimens had been immersed in a physiological-like solution (PLS) for 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d. In CPC specimens prepared with water, calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) was formed and DTS and P were (9.03 ± 0.48) MPa and (37.05 ± 0.20) vol % after 1 d, respectively, and (9.15 ± 0.45) MPa and (37.24 ± 0.63) vol % after 3 d, respectively. In CPC specimens prepared with phosphate solution OCP and HA were formed and DTS and P were (4.38 ± 0.49) MPa and (41.44 ± 1.25) vol % after 1 d, respectively,(4.38 ± 0.29) MPa and (42.52 ± 2.15) vol % after 3 d, respectively, and (4.30 ± 0.60) MPa and (41.38 ± 1.65) vol % after 7 d, respectively. For each group DTS and P did not change with PLS immersion time. DTS was significantly higher and P was significantly lower for CPCs prepared with water. HA formation slightly increased with immersion time from 40 mass % after 1 d to 50 mass % after 3 d in CPCs prepared with water. OCP + HA formation increased with immersion time from 30 mass % after 1 d to 35 mass % after 3 d and to 45 mass % after 7 d in CPCs prepared with 0.5 mol/L phosphate solution.
Quantitative Analysis of Uncertainty in Financial Risk Assessment of Road Transportation of Wood in Uruguay

The uncertainty in road transportation of wood is inherent to its operational costs, to the amount of transported wood, to the traveled distance, to its revenue, and more. Although it is not possible to measure this uncertainty fully, it can be quantified by the investment risk, which is the probability and degree of financial loss. The objective of this study is to quantify the financial risk of the investment in wood transportation through Monte Carlo simulation, which uses realistic situations to estimate the operational cost of vehicles used for road transportation of wood. We quantify these uncertainties by assessing financial risk and building pseudorandom scenarios with the Monte Carlo simulation method, in addition to the Net Present Value techniques, the Modified Internal Rate of Return, and the Profitability Index, all commonly used in financial investment projects. The results show that the estimated operational costs are equivalent to the actual ones, along with the evidence that the cost of fuel, the driver’s manpower, and tires are components that mainly increase the degree of financial risk for an investment project in road transportation of wood. In contrast, optimizing the amount of transported wood and maximizing wood transportation cost have a significant and positive correlation with the volume of transported wood and the average price of wood transportation, leading to a reduction in the degree of financial risk.
Atherogenic Index and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol as Cardiovascular Risk Determinants in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Impact of Therapy with Biologicals

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a serious concern in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), accounting for approximately one-third to one-half of all RA-related deaths. Besides the attempts to identify new risk factors, the proper management of traditional CV risk factors such as dyslipidemia should become a priority in the periodic evaluation of every RA patient. Atherogenic index has been suggested to be less susceptible to disease activity variation during large periods of time, making him more attractive to be used in CV risk prediction in this group of patients as compared to individual lipids concentrations. Nevertheless, inflammation may negatively impact HDL antiatherogenic properties, suggesting that HDL function assessment is of particular importance when predicting CV risk in these patients. A tight control of inflammation becomes therefore crucial for a successful CV risk management. The present paper debates these hypotheses focusing on the effects of therapy with biologicals on the above mentioned parameters.
Galectin-4-mediated transcytosis of transferrin receptor

ABSTRACT Some native epithelia, for example, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and kidney proximal tubule (KPT), constitutively lack the basolateral sorting adaptor AP-1B; this results in many basolateral plasma membrane proteins being repositioned to the apical domain, where they perform essential functions for their host organs. We recently reported the underlying apical polarity reversal mechanism: in the absence of AP-1B-mediated basolateral sorting, basolateral proteins are shuttled to the apical plasma membrane through a transcytotic pathway mediated by the plus-end kinesin KIF16B. Here, we demonstrate that this apical transcytotic pathway requires apical sorting of basolateral proteins, which is mediated by apical signals and galectin-4. Using RPE and KPT cell lines, and AP-1B-knockdown MDCK cells, we show that mutation of the N-glycan linked to N727 in the basolateral marker transferrin receptor (TfR) or knockdown of galectin-4 inhibits TfR transcytosis to apical recycling endosomes and the apical plasma membrane, and promotes TfR lysosomal targeting and subsequent degradation. Our results report a new role of galectins in basolateral to apical epithelial transcytosis.
Digital Learning Playground: supporting authentic learning experiences in the classroom

This study proposes a platform to provide a near-authentic environment, context, and situation for task-based learning. The platform includes two projection screens (a vertical and a horizontal screen) combined for situated or authentic learning. The horizontal screen extends the vertical screen scene to form a space for learning activities and performance. The platform creates learning situations using robots as surrogates of students to accomplish real-life tasks. Kolb's four-stage experiential learning cyclical model was adopted in the learning design. A simple practice was developed to examine the effect on teaching children English as a foreign language. The results reveal that children could engage deeply and feel more enjoyment using the system. Moreover, as surrogates for students to imagine that they are accomplishing real-life missions, robots could be a vital element of authentic learning in future classrooms.
Quality Evaluation Of Extruded Full Fat Blend Of African Breadfruit-Soybean-Corn Snack

Quality evaluation of extrudates/snacks made from full fat blend of African breadfruit-soybean-corn was studied. The raw flour blend was extruded in a single screw extruder at 21% moisture content, 140 o C barrel temperature, 140rpm screw speed fitted with 2mm die nozzle diameter. Food extrusion significantly (p 0.05) affect the fat, crude fibre and energy values of the extrudates. While ash and carbohydrate contents were significantly (p 0.05) affect vitamins B1, C and E of the extrudates; however, vitamin A was significantly (p 0.05) effect on histidine, lysine, threonine and phenylalanine contents of the extrudates; while valine, metheonine, leucine, tryptophan, arginine and isoleucine contents of the extrudate was negatively affected. Food extrusion significantly (p>0.05) reduced the antinutrient contents of the extrudates with trypsin inhibitor having the highest reduction (69.77%) and tannin having the lowest reduction (34.78%).
Nigeria’s peace interventions in Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of Togo under President Olusegun Obasanjo

Abstract Nigeria’s description as a foremost black nation in the world has made it a natural leader in Africa. The ruling class has consistently professed Nigeria’s leading role in Africa and deployed resources to maintain the position. While Nigeria’s Afro-centric policy has had its heroic and golden moments, the era of military mis-governance – particularly under the regime of Sani Abacha – led to a reversal of diplomatic fortunes. This crisis coincided with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s democratically elected President. The impressive personal credentials of Chief Obasanjo were expected to impact positively on the conduct of the nation’s foreign policy, particularly in Africa. This paper attempts to explain the salient motivations for Nigeria’s peace interventions in Africa under President Obasanjo, and also examines the potency of his regime’s peace efforts in Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of Togo. Through the secondary method of data generation and in-depth interview, as well as the interpretive method of data analysis, the study concludes that President Obasanjo’s interventions in both countries were influenced by realist considerations. His interventions also yielded the much anticipated peace dividends. These successes were aided by his strong personality and commitment to multilateralism.
Social Norms and Moral Hazard

We examine the impact of social rewards in an unemployment insurance context. A social norm requires effort in proportion to perceived talent, but individuals cunningly choose effort so as to manipulate the perception of their talent. The model predicts that low talented individuals increase effort in response to more generous unemployment insurance. The welfare consequences of the social rewards are ambiguous. Social rewards boost effort, but for individuals with low talent more than any real economic concern can justify. Moreover, the distribution of social respect is slanted in favour of the more talented.
The Effect of Gender, Experience, and Training on Teachers’ Written Corrective Feedback Practices

This study investigated whether EFL Post-Basic education teachers’ perceptions toward teachers’ practice of written corrective feedback (WCF) varied according to three contextual variables gender, teaching experience, and in-service training on WCF. It also attempted to investigate the challenges teachers encounter when providing WCF. The quantitative data was collected from 156 EFL teachers who were teaching Post-Basic education grades (11-12). The participants were randomly selected from three governorates in Oman: Muscat, Al Batinah South, and Sharqia North. The study showed that the only variable that had an effect on teachers’ perceptions was the number of training workshops/courses received on WCF. It also revealed that teachers perceived the challenge of focusing on all types of errors (content, organisation, and language) simultaneously as the most common difficulty they were experiencing. Some suggested recommendations of the study for the Ministry of Education, EFL teachers, and further studies were finally provided.
Business Cycle Synchronization of the Euro Area with the New and Candidate Member Countries

We examine business cycle synchronizations between the euro area and the new and candidate countries of the EU. We utilize a bivariate VAR-GARCH specification with a smoothly time-varying correlation that allows for structural changes in the degree of co-movement between the cyclical components of monthly industrial production. After the application of a Lagrange Multiplier statistic that tests directly the constant correlation hypothesis, we find that all the new EU members and candidate countries (with the exception of Estonia) have at least doubled their business cycle synchronization with the euro area. The results point to great variety in timing and speed of the correlation shifts across the country sample. JEL Classifications: C22; E32;
Structure formation and CMBR anisotropy spectrum in the inflessence model

The inflessence model has recently been proposed in an attempt to explain both early inflation and present day accelerated expansion within a single mechanism. The model has been successfully tested against the Hubble diagram of Type Ia Supernovae, the shift parameter, and the acoustic peak parameter. As a further mandatory test, we investigate here structure formation in the inflessence model determining the evolution of matter density contrast $\delta \equiv \delta \rho_{\rm M}/\rho_{\rm M}$ in the linear regime. We compare the growth factor $D(a) \equiv \delta/a$ and the growth index $f(z) \equiv {\rm dln}{\delta}/{\rm dln}{a}$ to these same quantities for the successful concordance Λ CDM model with a particular emphasis on the role of the inflessence parameters $(\gamma, z_Q)$. We also evaluate the anisotropy spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) to check whether the inflessence model may be in agreement with the observations. We find that, for large values of $(\gamma, z_Q)$, structure formation proceeds in a similar way to that in the Λ CDM scenario, and it is also possible to nicely fit the CMBR spectrum.
Species Comparison of Pre-systemic Bioactivation of Vicagrel, a New Acetate Derivative of Clopidogrel

Previously we have found vicagrel, a new acetate derivative of clopidogrel, underwent hydrolysis to 2-oxo-clopidogrel and subsequent conversions to its pharmacological active metabolite (AM) and inactive carboxylic acid metabolite (CAM). This study demonstrated the interspecies differences of the vicagrel bioactivation by comparing the critical vicagrel metabolites formation in rats, dogs and human. The pharmacokinetic studies with rats and dogs were conducted after intragastric administration of vicagrel, followed by in vitro metabolism investigation in venous system, intestinal/hepatic microsomes from rats, dogs and human. An obvious disparity was observed in system exposure to AM (99.0 vs. 635.1 μg⋅h/L, p < 0.05) and CAM (10119 vs. 2634 μg⋅h/L, p < 0.05) in rats and dogs. It was shown that the cleavage of vicagrel was almost completed in intestine with great different clearance (53.28 vs. 3.643 L⋅h-1⋅kg-1, p < 0.05) in rats and dogs. With no further hydrolysis to CAM, the greatest clearance of AM (3.26 mL⋅h-1⋅kg-1) was found in dog intestine. In rat plasma, 2-oxo-clopidogrel was much more extensively hydrolyzed to CAM than in dog and human. Albeit similar hydrolysis clearance and AM production was observed among hepatic microsomes of the three species, the production velocity of CAM ranked highest in dogs (7.55 pmol/min/mg protein). Therefore, the unconformity of AM and CAM exposure cross species mainly came from the metabolism of 2-oxo-clopidogrel associated largely with tissue specificity and interspecies differences of esterases. In human, the pharmacokinetics of vicagrel might be more optimistic due to less inactivation hydrolysis before reaching liver.
Reproductive System Structure, Development and Function in Cephalopods with a New General Scale for Maturity Stages

The main types of reproductive system structure, development and functions in cephalopods are described from personal observations and use of the literature. There is one type in males and three in females which are order specific. These have provided a basis for examining possible evolutionary trends in reproductive system development and in reproductive strategies within coleoid cephalopods and for developing a general scale for maturity staging for males and females. Development of the cephalopod reproductive system consists of two main phases. The first includes sexual cell differentiation, growth and maturation (i.e. juvenile phase and physiological maturation). The second begins after maturation of sexual cells. It includes their transport and accumulation in different parts of the reproductive system and their conversion into spermatophores in males and eggs with protective coverings in females (i.e. physiological maturity, functional maturation and maturity). It was found that species with different life styles within each order have similar reproductive systems. This may be attributable to the relative youth in an evolutionary sense of the main groups of living cephalopods. A general scale of seven maturity stages for cephalopods was developed. Distinct characteristics of each stage are described and supplemented with a generalized drawing of gonad structure. In the first phase of reproductive system development, maturity stages are distinguished by the degree of development of the gonad and accessory glands. In the second phase maturity stages are distinguished by the fate of the mature sexual cells, particularly by their transport and location in different parts of the reproductive system up to the time of spawning
Photothermal cancer therapy using graphitic carbon–coated magnetic particles prepared by one-pot synthesis

We describe here a simple synthetic strategy for the fabrication of carbon-coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@C) particles using a single-component precursor, iron (III) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid complex. Physicochemical analyses revealed that the core of the synthesized particles consists of ferromagnetic Fe3O4 material ranging several hundred nanometers, embedded in nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon with a thickness of ~120 nm. Because of their photothermal activity (absorption of near-infrared [NIR] light), the Fe3O4@C particles have been investigated for photothermal therapeutic applications. An example of one such application would be the use of Fe3O4@C particles in human adenocarcinoma A549 cells by means of NIR-triggered cell death. In this system, the Fe3O4@C can rapidly generate heat, causing >98% cell death within 10 minutes under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation (2.3 W cm−2). These Fe3O4@C particles provided a superior photothermal therapeutic effect by intratumoral delivery and NIR irradiation of tumor xenografts. These results demonstrate that one-pot synthesis of carbon-coated magnetic particles could provide promising materials for future clinical applications and encourage further investigation of this simple method.
Toward an Increased Understanding of Dissonance Processes: A Response to the Target Article by Kruglanski et al.

We appreciate this opportunity to respond to the target article by Kruglanski and colleagues, which raises some important issues concerning cognitive dissonance theory. Before addressing the specific points made in the target article, we must first explain our theoretical perspective and clarify some definitions. We take the perspective of Festinger’s (1957) original theory of cognitive dissonance, along with its extension, the action-based model (E. Harmon-Jones, Amodio, & Harmon-Jones, 2009; E. Harmon-Jones, Harmon-Jones, & Levy, 2015).