Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the Winner Take IT All? - towards an Understanding of Why there might be no One-Size-Fits-All Gamification Design

Despite the popularity of gamification, and the positive effects of games in daily life, many gamifica-tion projects fail. A possible explanation for this observation is that most projects follow a one-size-fits-all approach without considering what the intended users really want. Closely related to this, most approaches focus on the integration of competitive game structures even though several mechanisms are available. This applies especially for the learning context of the study. Consequently, we aim to investigate the effectiveness of multiple gamification configurations based on different underlying motivational structures of users. To achieve our goal, we combine social comparison and social interde-pendence theory. This integration of theories helps to identify reward structures. They serve to analyze differences in user needs concerning their motivation to learn. We develop hypotheses that expose four different reward structures: autonomous, competitive, cooperative, and co-competitive. Our research-in-progress paper closes with an outline of an upcoming experiment. Once our research is completed, we expect to be able to better understand how differences in the users’ motivational structures influence their motivation in the context of learning, and how gamification configurations can be adapted based on a user’s underlying motivational structures.
RFI Suppression Based on Sparse Frequency Estimation for SAR Imaging

This letter addresses the problem of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image recovery in the presence of radio frequency interference (RFI), which degrades SAR image quality if it is not effectively suppressed. In this letter, the RFI is modeled as the superposition of multiple complex sinusoids such that the RFI suppression problem is transformed to a frequency estimation problem. To accurately estimate the amplitudes of the sinusoids and their corresponding frequencies in the case of a low number of range samples, the frequency sparsity in the frequency domain is successfully exploited. From the estimated amplitudes and frequencies, the RFI can be reconstructed and then used for suppression. To recover the signal of interest (SOI) and by utilizing the estimated RFI, a joint estimation is derived to simultaneously perform the RFI suppression and the SOI recovery. This joint approach can effectively suppress the RFI even if it overlaps with the SOI in both the time and frequency domains. The common threshold decision approach is not required for our joint estimation to reduce the RFI. Simulation results and real-world experiments are presented to demonstrate the superior performance of the joint estimation algorithm.
Human Health Risk of Heavy Metals in Vegetables Grown in Contaminated Soil Irrigated with Sewage Water

The present study was carried out to assess the level of heavy metals in water, soil and some selected common vegetables grown at sewage water irrigated (SWI) and ground water irrigated (GWI) zone in the peri urban area of Katihar city and also to estimate human health risk through their consumption. It was found that sewage water and soil irrigated with sewage water were highly polluted. The results revealed that the accumulation of heavy metals in the test vegetables grown in soil at SWI zone moderately enhanced with Cr, Cu, Ni and Mn while strongly enriched with Cd and Pb was observed in the order of spinach (134.45) > coriander (130.06) > cabbage (129.87) > cauliflower (128.46) > carrot (77.78) > potato (69.88). The population load index (PLI), bioaccumulation factor (BAF), daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were also studied. The maximum value of PLI was found for Cd (990.03%) and minimum for Mn (8.40%) in soil irrigated with sewage water. High BAF values greater than 1 for Cd, Mn and Pb were observed in cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and coriander at SWI zone and could be one of the possible reasons for health risk in human via their consumption. The consumption of vegetables collected from SWI zone to daily intake of Pb, Cd, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cr were 17.26%, 12.91%, 2.27%, 0.584% 8.62% and 5.67% of PTDI respectively. Thus, the consumption of average amount of these vegetables does not pose a health risk for consumer. Cd, Pb and Mn showed HRI greater than one in cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and coriander collected from SWI zone, pose severe health risk while potato and carrot were almost safe for consumption. The vegetables grown at GWI zone were entirely free from any risk. However, the regular monitoring of levels of these metals in sewage water, soil and in vegetables is essential to prevent excessive build of the metals in the food chain.
Effects of chronic administration of mestranol on alpha and beta adrenergic responsiveness in female rats.

Several alpha and beta adrenergic responses were studied in female rats after treatment with a low dose of the synthetic estrogen, mestranol (15 micrograms i.p. biweekly), for 4 to 6 weeks and compared with untreated controls. The response of blood pressure to exogenously administered norepinephrine was measured in conscious rats by means of an indwelling catheter in the femoral artery. Basal systolic blood pressure was not different between control and treated groups, or was any difference observed in peak systolic pressure after acute i.v. administration of l-norepinephrine in concentrations of 0.0625, 0.125, 0.250 and 0.625 micrograms. In contrast, the half-time of the blood pressure response was significantly prolonged after administration of the various concentrations of norepinephrine to mestranol-treated rats. The half-time of the pressor response observed in control animals administered 0.625 micrograms of norepinephrine was elicited in mestranol-treated animals by only 0.250 micrograms of norepinephrine. Analysis of the time course of the pressor response indicates that mestranol treatment altered the duration of the blood pressure increase without an apparent change in the onset of the pressor response. No differences between groups were observed in beta adrenergic responsiveness measured in terms of the isoproterenol-induced increase in either heart rate (beta-1 response) or water intake (beta-2 response). Finally, the contractile response of aortic rings from mestranol-treated rats to both l-norepinephrine (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and l-phenylephrine (10(-8) to 10(-4) M) was significantly less than that of aortic rings from control rats. These data indicate, therefore, that in vivo cardiovascular responsiveness to norepinephrine does not reflect the attenuated vascular reactivity of isolated aortic rings. Insofar as the dominant feature of the in vivo adrenergic response appears to be prolongation of pressor action, the present study suggests that processes involved in the inactivation of circulating norepinephrine may be altered by chronic treatment with a low-dose of mestranol.
Distributed under Creative Commons Cc-by 4.0 a Taxonomic Review of the Late Jurassic Eucryptodiran Turtles from the Jura Mountains (switzerland and France)

Background. Eucryptodiran turtles from the Late Jurassic (mainly Kimmeridgian) deposits of the Jura Mountains (Switzerland and France) are among the earliest named species traditionally referred to the Plesiochelyidae, Thalassemydidae, and Eurysternidae. As such, they are a reference for the study of Late Jurassic eucryp-todires at the European scale. Fifteen species and four genera have been typified based on material from the Late Jurassic of the Jura Mountains. In the past 50 years, diverging taxonomic reassessments have been proposed for these turtles with little agreement in sight. In addition, there has been a shift of focus from shell to cranial anatomy in the past forty years, although most of these species are only represented by shell material. As a result, the taxonomic status of many of these 15 species remains ambiguous, which prevents comprehensive comparison of Late Jurassic turtle assemblages throughout Europe and hinders description of new discoveries, such as the new assemblage recently unearthed in the vicinity of Porrentruy, Switzerland. Methods. An exhaustive reassessment of the available material provides new insights into the comparative anatomy of these turtles. The taxonomic status of each of the 15 species typified based on material from the Late Jurassic of the Jura Mountains is evaluated. New diagnoses and general descriptions are provided for each valid taxon. Results. Six out of the 15 available species names are recognized as valid: Plesiochelys etalloni, Craspedochelys picteti, Craspedochelys jaccardi, Tropidemys langii, Thalasse-mys hugii, and 'Thalassemys' moseri. The intraspecific variability of the shell of P. etalloni is discussed based on a sample of about 30 relatively complete specimens from Solothurn, Switzerland. New characters are proposed to differentiate P. etalloni, C. picteti, and C. jaccardi, therefore rejecting the previously proposed synonymy of these forms. Based partly on previously undescribed specimens, the plastral morphology of Th. hugii is redescribed. The presence of lateral plastral fontanelles is notably revealed in this species, which calls into question the traditional definitions of the Thalassemydidae and Eurysternidae. Based on these new data, Eurysternum ignoratum is considered a junior synonym of Th. hugii. The Eurysternidae are therefore only represented by Solnhofia parsonsi in the Late Jurassic of the Jura Mountains. Finally, 'Th. ' moseri is recognized as a valid species, although a referral to the genus Thalassemys is refuted.
The impact of caregiver treatment satisfaction upon child and parent outcomes.

BACKGROUND Parental perceptions about treatment influence their child's engagement in and ongoing utilization of mental health services, but less is known about the association between caregiver expectancies and family outcomes. The literature is particularly lacking with families of color, who are at high risk for the onset and perpetuation of disruptive behaviors. METHODS The purpose of this study was to examine caregiver treatment satisfaction amongst 320 youth of color aged 7 to 11 and their families who were assigned to either a Multiple Family Group intervention or services as usual condition. Caregiver stress was measured by the Parenting Stress Index Short-Form full scale and child oppositional defiant behaviors were measured using the Iowa Connors Rating Scale-Oppositional/Defiant subscale both at baseline and post-test. Satisfaction with treatment was measured using the Metropolitan Area Child Study process measures program satisfaction subscale at post-test. RESULTS The two main effects models that focused on satisfaction with treatment was predictive of parental stress and child oppositional defiant behaviors independently. Satisfaction with treatment accounted for 31% of the variance in child oppositional behavior and 24% of parental stress improvements across time holding all covariates constant. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support previous research that shows parental expectancies, including treatment satisfaction, are powerful mechanisms of treatment outcomes for children with DBDs as well as parental emotional health. Further, parental expectancies may be enhanced by the involvement of families in the development of treatment approaches for children and a greater focus on caregiver emotional health for the benefit of the family as a whole.
Long-Term Outcomes of Staged Basilic Vein Transposition for Hemodialysis Access in Children

Introduction Children requiring long-term hemodialysis often face significant challenges due to their young age and small-vessel caliber for arteriovenous (AV) access creation. In this study, we report our experience of staged basilic vein transposition (BVT) in pediatric patients. Methods All patients undergoing staged BVT at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2003 to 2015 were reviewed. Indications for staged BVT included inadequate cephalic conduit or failed AV fistula using cephalic vein. Pertinent clinical variables were analyzed to determine treatment outcomes. Results Forty-two children (24 males, 57%) underwent 46 staged BVT during the study period. Median age was 12.8 ± 4.8 years (range 3-18). The mean weight was 47 ± 5.1 kg (range, 13-126 kg), with four children (10%) weighing ≤20 kg. Mean operative times for initial brachiobasilic AV fistula and staged BVT were 39 ± 12 minutes and 66 ± 17 minutes, respectively. Mean follow-up period was 5.4 ± 1.8 years. Functional maturation was achieved in 93% of BVTs. Early fistula thrombosis within 30 days following BVT occurred in four patients (10%). Late BVT thrombosis occurred in 13 patients (31%). Primary patency rates at 2 years and 4 years were 78% and 72%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 2 years and 4 years were 86% and 82%, respectively. Conclusions Staged BVT is a durable and reliable autologous hemodialysis access in children who do not have adequate cephalic venous conduit.
On micromechanics approach to stiffness and strength of unidirectional composites

The purposes of this paper are sixfold. First, any micromechanics model for predicting elastic property (stiffness) of a composite is applicable to a reasonable prediction of a composite strength, provided that the homogenized internal stresses in the matrix are converted into true values. The conversion for all of the stress components free of biaxially transverse loads is presented in the paper. Second, the predictability of 12 well-known micromechanics models for stiffness and strength of a unidirectional composite is assessed against the measured data of all of the nine unidirectional composites used in three world-wide failure exercises. An accuracy ranking is made accordingly. Third, it is demonstrated that the smallest fiber volume in a representative volume element for a finite element approach plays a more dominant role than other issues such as a random fiber array to achieve the highest simulation accuracy. This feature has been largely ignored in the current literature. Fourth, a consistency of a micromechanics model in calculating the internal stresses in the fiber and matrix of the composite is an issue that should be taken into account. Among the 12 models considered, only Bridging Model is consistent. A non-consistency implies that a full three-dimensional approach should be used to predict an effective property of the composite even though it is subjected to a uniaxial load. Fifth, an effective method to detect an interface debonding between the fiber and matrix subjected to an arbitrary load is presented in the paper. Only a transverse tensile strength of the composite, in addition to the original fiber and matrix properties, is needed. Whereas essentially any load can cause the interface to debond earlier before a composite failure, only a transverse tensile load carrying capacity of the composite is influenced significantly by the debonding. Specifically, an interface debonding has insignificant effect on a shear strength of the composite. Sixth, a fiber misalignment-induced kink band failure is analyzed by virtue of the original fiber and matrix properties, and a longitudinal compressive strength is predicted micromechanically.
Serum DNA and urine DNA alterations of urinary transitional cell bladder carcinoma detected by fluorescent microsatellite analysis

There are no reliable serologic tumor markers for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder and noninvasive urine investigations are inadequate. We used fluorescent microsatellite analysis (MSA) to detect serum DNA and urine‐sediment DNA alterations in patients with bladder cancer and prospectively collected fresh tumor, peripheral blood, serum and spontaneous urine specimens from 39 consecutive patients treated for TCC of the bladder to obtain the corresponding DNA. Fluorescent MSA was performed with 17 polymorphic markers from the chromosomal regions 5q, 8p, 9p, 9q, 13q, 14q, 17p, 17q and 20q in the 39 cancer patients and in 10 healthy controls. Serum DNA alterations were identified in 84.5% (33 of 39 patients) and tumor‐specific urine DNA alterations indicating the diagnosis were present in 72% (27 of 39 patients) of cases. None of the healthy controls displayed serum DNA alterations. The highest frequency of serum DNA aberrations (56%) was detected for chromosomal region 8p. The most frequent alterations in urine‐sediment DNA, 36% and 26%, were detected in chromosomal regions 8p and 9p, respectively. Identification of serum DNA and urine‐sediment DNA alterations was not related to stage of disease or grade of tumor (p > 0.05). Thus, MSA offers a highly sensitive and specific method for serum‐ and urine‐bound diagnosis of bladder TCC. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Per Petersson Mechanisms underlying cortical resonant states : implications for levodopa-induced dyskinesia

A common observation in recordings of neuronal activity from the cerebral cortex is that populations of neurons show patterns of synchronized oscillatory activity. However, it has been suggested that neuronal synchronization can, in certain pathological conditions, become excessive and possibly have a pathogenic role. In particular, aberrant oscillatory activation patterns have been implicated in conditions involving cortical dysfunction. We here review the mechanisms thought to be involved in the generation of cortical oscillations and discuss their relevance in relation to a recent finding indicating that high-frequency oscillations in the cerebral cortex have an important role in the generation of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. On the basis of these insights, it is suggested that the identification of physiological changes associated with symptoms of disease is a particularly important first step toward a more rapid development of novel treatment strategies.
Randomized controlled trial of 2 prenatal iron supplements : is there a dose-response relation with maternal hemoglobin ? 1 – 3

Background: The most appropriate dose of iron to prevent maternal anemia is still unclear. Objective: We assessed the dose-response relation between maternal hemoglobin and 2 prenatal iron supplements. Design: An intention-to-treat, double-blind, randomized controlled trial compared 30 mg Fe + folic acid and 13 other micronutrients (UNIMMAP; UNICEF/WHO/UNU multiple micronutrient supplement for pregnant and lactating women) with 60 mg Fe + folic acid (IFA) only in rural Burkina Faso. Home visitors directly observed tablet intake. Mixed-effects models were used for the data
Corrigendum: Fourier Spectral Approximation to a Dissipative System Modeling the Flow of Liquid Crystals

≥ λ||dM ||2 − λ2 (2π)(2 + e). ∗Received by the editors October 20, 2002; accepted for publication November 26, 2002; published electronically May 12, 2003. http://www.siam. org/journals/sinum/41-2/41653.html †Department of Mathematics, Penn State University, 307 McAllister Bldg. , State College, PA 16802 (qdu@math.psu.edu). ‡Department of Mathematics, Shanghai Normal University, 100 Guilin Road, Shanghai 200234, People’s Republic of China, (byguo@guomai.sh.cn). §Department of Mathematics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 (shen@math. purdue.edu).
Model-Based Quantification of the Systemic Interplay between Glucose and Fatty Acids in the Postprandial State

In metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, the systemic regulation of postprandial metabolite concentrations is disturbed. To understand this dysregulation, a quantitative and temporal understanding of systemic postprandial metabolite handling is needed. Of particular interest is the intertwined regulation of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), due to the association between disturbed NEFA metabolism and insulin resistance. However, postprandial glucose metabolism is characterized by a dynamic interplay of simultaneously responding regulatory mechanisms, which have proven difficult to measure directly. Therefore, we propose a mathematical modelling approach to untangle the systemic interplay between glucose and NEFA in the postprandial period. The developed model integrates data of both the perturbation of glucose metabolism by NEFA as measured under clamp conditions, and postprandial time-series of glucose, insulin, and NEFA. The model can describe independent data not used for fitting, and perturbations of NEFA metabolism result in an increased insulin, but not glucose, response, demonstrating that glucose homeostasis is maintained. Finally, the model is used to show that NEFA may mediate up to 30–45% of the postprandial increase in insulin-dependent glucose uptake at two hours after a glucose meal. In conclusion, the presented model can quantify the systemic interactions of glucose and NEFA in the postprandial state, and may therefore provide a new method to evaluate the disturbance of this interplay in metabolic disease.
A neuroscientific account of how vestibular disorders impair bodily self-consciousness

The consequences of vestibular disorders on balance, oculomotor control, and self-motion perception have been extensively described in humans and animals. More recently, vestibular disorders have been related to cognitive deficits in spatial navigation and memory tasks. Less frequently, abnormal bodily perceptions have been described in patients with vestibular disorders. Altered forms of bodily self-consciousness include distorted body image and body schema, disembodied self-location (out-of-body experience), altered sense of agency, as well as more complex experiences of dissociation and detachment from the self (depersonalization). In this article, I suggest that vestibular disorders create sensory conflict or mismatch in multisensory brain regions, producing perceptual incoherence and abnormal body and self perceptions. This hypothesis is based on recent functional mapping of the human vestibular cortex, showing vestibular projections to the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex and in several multisensory areas found to be crucial for bodily self-consciousness.
Three-dimensional evaluation of tooth movement in Class II malocclusions treated without extraction by orthodontic mini-implant anchorage

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze tooth movement and arch width changes in maxillary dentition following nonextraction treatment with orthodontic mini-implant (OMI) anchorage in Class II division 1 malocclusions. Methods Seventeen adult patients diagnosed with Angle's Class II division 1 malocclusion were treated by nonextraction with OMIs as anchorage for distalization of whole maxillary dentition. Three-dimensional virtual maxillary models were superimposed with the best-fit method at the pretreatment and post-treatment stages. Linear, angular, and arch width variables were measured using Rapidform 2006 software, and analyzed by the paired t-test. Results All maxillary teeth showed statistically significant movement posteriorly (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the vertical position of the maxillary teeth, except that the second molars were extruded (0.86 mm, p < 0.01). The maxillary first and second molars were rotated distal-in (4.5°, p < 0.001; 3.0°, p < 0.05, respectively). The intersecond molar width increased slightly (0.1 mm, p > 0.05) and the intercanine, interfirst premolar, intersecond premolar, and interfirst molar widths increased significantly (2.2 mm, p < 0.01; 2.2 mm, p < 0.05; 1.9 mm, p < 0.01; 2.0 mm, p < 0.01; respectively). Conclusions Nonextraction treatment with OMI anchorage for Class II division 1 malocclusions could retract the whole maxillary dentition to achieve a Class I canine and molar relationship without a change in the vertical position of the teeth; however, the second molars were significantly extruded. Simultaneously, the maxillary arch was shown to be expanded with distal-in rotation of the molars.