Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High School Start Times and the Impact on High School Students: What We Know, and What We Hope to Learn.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Several organizations have provided recommendations to ensure high school starts no sooner than 08:30. However, although there are plausible biological reasons to support such recommendations, published recommendations have been based largely on expert opinion and a few observational studies. We sought to perform a critical review of published evidence regarding the effect of high school start times on sleep and other relevant outcomes. METHODS We performed a broad literature search to identify 287 candidate publications for inclusion in our review, which focused on studies offering direct comparison of sleep time, academic or physical performance, behavioral health measures, or motor vehicular accidents in high school students. Where possible, outcomes were combined for meta-analysis. RESULTS After application of study criteria, only 18 studies were suitable for review. Eight studies were amenable to meta-analysis for some outcomes. We found that later school start times, particularly when compared with start times more than 60 min earlier, are associated with longer weekday sleep durations, lower weekday-weekend sleep duration differences, reduced vehicular accident rates, and reduced subjective daytime sleepiness. Improvement in academic performance and behavioral issues is less established. CONCLUSIONS The literature regarding effect of school start time delays on important aspects of high school life suggests some salutary effects, but often the evidence is indirect, imprecise, or derived from cohorts of convenience, making the overall quality of evidence weak or very weak. This review highlights a need for higher-quality data upon which to base important and complex public health decisions.
Trust and Electronic Government Success: An Empirical Study

Electronic government is being increasingly recognized as a means for transforming public governance. Despite this increasing interest, information systems (IS) literature is mostly silent on what really contributes to the success of e-government Web sites. To fill this gap, this study examines the role of trust in e-government success using the updated DeLone and McLean IS success model as the theoretical framework. The model is tested via a survey of 214 Singapore e-government Web site users. The results show that trust in government, but not trust in technology, is positively related to trust in e-government Web sites. Further, trust in e-government Web sites is positively related to information quality, system quality, and service quality. The quality constructs have different effects on "intention to continue" using the Web site and "satisfaction" with the Web site. Post hoc analysis indicates that the nature of usage (active versus passive users) may help us better understand the interrelationships among success variables examined in this study. This result suggests that the DeLone and McLean model can be further extended by examining the nature of IS use. In addition, it is important to consider the role of trust as well as various Web site quality attributes in understanding e-government success.
Motion control for an underwater robotic fish with two undulating long-fins

Motion control for one kind of underwater robotic fish is presented in this paper. Here our robotic fish prototype has two long-fins installed symmetrically on its both sides. And one long-fin is made up by springiness membrane covered on ten ray-fins. Ten servo-motors are used to control the motions of the ten ray-fins on one side. Due to the special structure of the prototype, swimming motion modes can be broken into four basic motion modes: marching mode, receding mode, rotating mode and side-swaying mode. Aiming at the four motion modes, this paper presents relevant control method separately. Our controller is based on FPGA. Through reading signal data stored in the memory of control chip, servo-motors may oscillate the ray-fins at scheduled way. Therefore, different frequency and different phase difference of adjacent ray-fins may bend the long-fin formed by membrane into relevant waveform. Because the membrane is soft and elastic, hydrodynamic forces produced by expelled water may drive fish body into swimming motions. Using different control methods, hydrodynamic force provide fish body with many motion modes, including the four basic motion modes. In addition, one motion modes switch system is designed based on Mega128. Through producing different voltage level combination, robotic fish may switch its motion mode by the transferred one in swimming. The experiments show our method for motion control is valid.
Heparan sulfate D-glucosamine 3-O-sulfotransferase 3B1 is a novel regulator of transforming growth factor-beta-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and regulated by miR-218 in nonsmall cell lung cancer

Background: Due to high metastasis and recurrence rate. Recent studies indicated that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was involved in the progression and metastasis in cancer. Some reports also indicate that HS3ST3B1 played a role in angiogenesis and the proliferation of cancer cells. In this study, we aim to investigate its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . Materials and Methods: All cell lines were purchased from ATCC and cultured in our central lab. RT-PCR was performed to study the expession of HS3ST3B1 in tumors and matched normal tissues. Western-blot was used to investigate the expession of HS3ST3B1 in cell lines. We also used luciferase report system to confirm the regulation of HS3ST3B1 by miR-218 in cells. Results: In this study, we found that HS3ST3B1 was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with matched normal tissues (P = 0.02). Its expression was also up-regulated in mesenchymal phenotype of NSCLC cell lines compared with epithelial phenotype (P < 0.05). When TGF-β was applied to induce the epithelial phenotype to mesenchymal phenotype, it was upregulated compared with previous epithelial cell lines. When HS3ST3B1 was knocked down by specific small interfering RNA in the mesenchymal phenotype, mesenchymal phenotype was transformed to epithelial phenotype. Moreover, we also found that it could be targeted by miR-218 in NSCLC. Conclusion: These findings indicate that HS3ST3B1 is a novel regulator of TGF-beta-mediated EMT and is regulated by miR-218 in NSCLC.
Supervision of Ethylene Propylene Diene M-Class (EPDM) Rubber Vulcanization and Recovery Processes Using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber is widely used in a diverse type of applications, such as the automotive, industrial and construction sectors among others. Due to its appealing features, the consumption of vulcanized EPDM rubber is growing significantly. However, environmental issues are forcing the application of devulcanization processes to facilitate recovery, which has led rubber manufacturers to implement strict quality controls. Consequently, it is important to develop methods for supervising the vulcanizing and recovery processes of such products. This paper deals with the supervision process of EPDM compounds by means of Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and suitable multivariate statistical methods. An expedited and nondestructive classification approach was applied to a sufficient number of EPDM samples with different applied processes, that is, with and without application of vulcanizing agents, vulcanized samples, and microwave treated samples. First the FT-IR spectra of the samples is acquired and next it is processed by applying suitable feature extraction methods, i.e., principal component analysis and canonical variate analysis to obtain the latent variables to be used for classifying test EPDM samples. Finally, the k nearest neighbor algorithm was used in the classification stage. Experimental results prove the accuracy of the proposed method and the potential of FT-IR spectroscopy in this area, since the classification accuracy can be as high as 100%.
Genome-Wide Association Study Heterogeneous Cohort Homogenization via Subject Weight Knock-Down

Population structure can be a source of both false-positive and false-negative findings in a genome-wide association study. This article proposes an approach that helps to reduce the false-positives. It consists of homogenizing the diseased/healthy phenotype ratio across the cohort, by decreasing the statistical weight of selected individuals. After homogenization, the cohort is statistically handled as if originating from a single well-mixed population. The method was applied to homogenize a Parkinson's disease genome-wide association study cohort.
Cochlear Implantation After Partial or Subtotal Cochleoectomy for Intracochlear Schwannoma Removal—A Technical Report

Objective: To describe the technique for surgical tumor removal, cochlear implant (CI) electrode placement and reconstruction of the surgical defect in patients with intracochlear schwannomas. Study Design: Retrospective case review. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Ten patients (five men, five women, mean age 48 ± 12 yr) with profound or severe to profound hearing loss due to intralabyrinthine schwannomas with intracochlear location. Interventions: Surgical tumor removal through extended round window approach, partial or subtotal cochleoectomy with or without labyrinthectomy and reconstruction of the surgical defect with cartilage, perichondrium or temporal muscle fascia, and bone pâté. Eight patients received a cochlear implant in the same procedure. Main Outcome Measures: Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcome including safety aspects (adverse events) and audiological performance at early follow up in cases of cochlear implantation. Results: The tumor was successfully removed in all cases without macroscopic (operation microscope and endoscope) tumor remnants in the bony labyrinth apart from one case with initial transmodiolar growth. One patient needed revision surgery for labyrinthine fistula. At short-term follow up (3-month post-surgery), good hearing results with the cochlear implant were obtained in all but one patient with a word recognition score of 100% for numbers, and 64 ± 14% for monosyllables (at 65 dB SPL in quiet). Conclusions: Surgical tumor removal and cochlear implantation is a promising treatment strategy in the management of intralabyrinthine schwannoma with intracochlear location, further extending the indication range for cochlear implantation. It is, however, of importance to observe the long-term outcome in these patients and to address challenges like follow up with magnetic resonance imaging.
The role of rhizosphere pH in regulating the rhizosphere priming effect and implications for the availability of soil-derived nitrogen to plants

Background and Aims A comprehensive understanding of the rhizosphere priming effect (RPE) on the decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC) requires an integration of many factors. It is unclear how N form-induced change in soil pH affects the RPE and SOC sequestration. Methods This study compared the change in the RPE under supply of NO3-N and NH4-N. The effect of the RPE on the mineralization of soil N and hence its availability to plant and microbes was also examined using a 15N-labelled N source. Key Results The supply of NH4-N decreased rhizosphere pH by 0.16-0.38 units, and resulted in a decreased or negative RPE. In contrast, NO3-N nutrition increased rhizosphere pH by 0.19-0.78 units, and led to a persistently positive RPE. The amounts of rhizosphere-primed C were positively correlated with rhizosphere pH. Rhizosphere pH affected the RPE mainly through influencing microbial biomass, activity and utilization of root exudates, and the availability of SOC to microbes. Furthermore, the amount of rhizosphere primed C correlated negatively with microbial biomass atom% 15N (R2 0.77-0.98, n = 12), suggesting that microbes in the rhizosphere acted as the immediate sink for N released from enhanced SOC decomposition via the RPE. Conclusion N form was an important factor affecting the magnitude and direction of the RPE via its effect on rhizosphere pH. Rhizosphere pH needs to be considered in SOC and RPE modelling.
Cold tolerance is linked to osmoregulatory function of the hindgut in Locusta migratoria

ABSTRACT There is growing evidence that maintenance of ion and water balance determines cold tolerance in many insects. The hindgut of terrestrial insects is critical for maintaining organismal homeostasis as it regulates solute and water balance of the haemolymph. Here, we used ex vivo everted gut sacs of Locusta migratoria to examine the effects of temperature (0–30°C), thermal acclimation, hypoxia, and ionic and osmotic forces on bulk water and ion (Na+, K+ and Cl−) movement across the rectal epithelium. These findings were related to simultaneous in vivo measurements of water and ion balance in locusts exposed to similar temperatures. As predicted, we observed a critical inhibition of net water and ion reabsorption at low temperature that was proportional to the in vivo loss of water and ion homeostasis. Further, cold-acclimated locusts, which are known to defend ion and water balance at low temperature, were characterised by improved reabsorptive capacity at low temperature. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that transport mechanisms in the hindgut at low temperature are essential for cold tolerance. The loss of osmoregulatory capacity at low temperature was primarily caused by reduced active transport, while rectal paracellular permeability to fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran was unchanged at 0 and 30°C. During cold exposure, water reabsorption was independent of major cation gradients across the epithelia, while a reduction in mucosal Cl− availability and an increase in mucosal osmolality markedly depressed water reabsorption. These findings are discussed in the context of existing knowledge and with suggestions for future physiological studies on cold acclimation and adaptation in insects. Summary: In insect cold tolerance, cold impairs rectal reabsorption whereas cold acclimation enhances water but not potassium reabsorption, highlighting the role of the hindgut in the preservation of extracellular homeostasis.
A LED-Based IR/RGB End-to-End Latency Measurement Device

Achieving a minimal latency within augmented reality (AR) systems is one of the most important factors to achieve a convincing visual impression. It is even more crucial for non-video augmentations such as dynamic projection mappings because in that case the superimposed imagery has to exactly match the dynamic real surface, which obviously cannot be directly influenced or delayed in its movement. In those cases, the inevitable latency is usually compensated for using prediction and extrapolation operations, which require accurate information about the occurring overall latency to exactly predict to the right time frame for the augmentation. Different strategies have been applied to accurately compute this latency. Since some of these AR systems operate within different spectral bands for input and output, it is not possible to apply latency measurement methods encoding time stamps directly into the presented output images as these might not be sensed by used input device.We present a generic latency measurement device which can be used to accurately measure the overall end-to-end latency of camera-based AR systems with an accuracy below one millisecond. It comprises a LED-based time stamp generator displaying the time as a gray code on spatially and spectrally multiple locations. It is controlled by a micro-controller and sensed by an external camera device observing the output display as well as the LED device at the same time.
Response to a wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2)-shedding event following accidental exposure to WPV2, the Netherlands, April 2017

On 3 April 2017, a wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) spill occurred in a Dutch vaccine manufacturing plant. Two fully vaccinated operators with risk of exposure were advised on stringent personal hygiene and were monitored for virus shedding. Poliovirus (WPV2-MEF1) was detected in the stool of one, 4 days after exposure, later also in sewage samples. The operator was isolated at home and followed up until shedding stopped 29 days after exposure. No further transmission was detected.
Review article: predictors of response to vedolizumab and ustekinumab in inflammatory bowel disease

Increased knowledge of pathways involved in the pathogenesis of IBD has led to the development of new treatment options for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Two new biological agents have been recently approved for IBD: vedolizumab and ustekinumab. They have different therapeutic targets (α4β7 integrin for vedolizumab and interleukin‐12/23 pathways for ustekinumab) than the primary biological class, anti‐tumour necrosis factor alpha (anti‐TNF) agents. As the armamentarium for IBD increases in coming years, it will become important to understand factors associated with response in order to best position and personalise therapy.
Climate-change–driven accelerated sea-level rise detected in the altimeter era

Significance Satellite altimetry has shown that global mean sea level has been rising at a rate of ∼3 ± 0.4 mm/y since 1993. Using the altimeter record coupled with careful consideration of interannual and decadal variability as well as potential instrument errors, we show that this rate is accelerating at 0.084 ± 0.025 mm/y2, which agrees well with climate model projections. If sea level continues to change at this rate and acceleration, sea-level rise by 2100 (∼65 cm) will be more than double the amount if the rate was constant at 3 mm/y. Using a 25-y time series of precision satellite altimeter data from TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3, we estimate the climate-change–driven acceleration of global mean sea level over the last 25 y to be 0.084 ± 0.025 mm/y2. Coupled with the average climate-change–driven rate of sea level rise over these same 25 y of 2.9 mm/y, simple extrapolation of the quadratic implies global mean sea level could rise 65 ± 12 cm by 2100 compared with 2005, roughly in agreement with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5) model projections.
Echinocandins Compared to Fluconazole for Candidemia of a Urinary Tract Source: A Propensity Score Analysis

Background Whether echinocandins could be used to treat candidemia of a urinary tract source (CUTS) is unknown. We aimed to provide current epidemiological information of CUTS and to compare echinocandin to fluconazole treatment on CUTS outcomes. Methods A multicenter study of adult patients with candidemia was conducted in 9 hospitals. CUTS was defined as a candidemia with concomitant candiduria by the same organism associated with significant urological comorbidity. The primary outcome assessed was clinical failure (defined by 7-day mortality or persistent candidemia) in patients treated with either an echinocandin or fluconazole. A propensity score was calculated and then entered into a regression model. Results Of 2176 episodes of candidemia, 128 were CUTS (5.88%). Most CUTS cases were caused by Candida albicans (52.7%), followed by Candida glabrata (25.6%) and Candida tropicalis (16.3%). Clinical failure occurred in 7 patients (20%) treated with an echinocandin and in 15 (17.1%) treated with fluconazole (P = .730). Acute renal failure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-8.91; P = .047) was the only independent factor associated with clinical failure, whereas early urinary tract drainage procedures (surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic) were identified as protective (AOR, 0.08; 95% CI, .02-.31; P < .001). Neither univariate nor multivariate analysis showed that echinocandin therapy altered the risk of clinical failure. Conclusions Initial echinocandin therapy was not associated with clinical failure in patients with CUTS. Notably, acute renal failure predicted worse outcomes and performing an early urologic procedure was a protective measure.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study: Electronic Properties of Silicene under Uniaxial Strain as H2S Gas Sensor

First principle calculation is performed to investigate structural and electronic properties of strained silicene (silicon analogue of graphene) when absorbing the hydrogen sulfide molecule gas. Two configuration of silicene-H2S system, center and hollow configuration, is checked under 0% (pure), 5%, and 10% uniaxial engineering strain. We report that the silicene-H2S system in center configuration has larger binding energy compare to the silicene-H2S system in hollow configuration. The results show that H2S is physisorbed on silicene. In this work, we also find the change of band gap energy (~60 meV) is appearing when H2S interacted with silicene in center configuration, whereas the band gap energy of silicene has no change when interacted with H2S in hollow configuration.
Modeling of dipole–dipole‐coupled, electric field‐driven, protein‐based computing architectures

In the present study, we propose a novel approach for the realization of protein‐based logic circuits potentially suitable for nanoscale digital signal processing and computing architectures. Electric field‐induced switching of Dronpa, an artificial protein, is demonstrated through simulations with the NAMD molecular dynamics simulation software, and a circuit model that describes such switching behavior is presented. Simulations suggest that digital signal propagation and the majority gate can be realized by the utilization of such proteins if they are dipole–dipole coupled and are driven by proper electric fields. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Refining the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Scheme For Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Recursive Partitioning Analysis

Purpose: It remains unclear whether the recently proposed 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging scheme for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) outperforms the 7th edition. We assessed the prognostic performance of both these schemes and performed recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) to objectively regroup the 7th and 8th AJCC stages and derive a refined staging scheme. Methods: We examined 8542 patients with resectable PDAC from the 2004-2012 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The dataset was randomly divided into training and validation sets. The performance of different staging schemes was evaluated in terms of prognostic stratification, discriminatory ability, and prognostic homogeneity. Results: The 7th and 8th T classifications showed prominent heterogeneity within each subcategory when assessed against each other in the case of node-negative disease. RPA divided resectable PDAC into RPA-IA (8th T1N0 limited to the pancreas), RPA-IB (8th T1N0 extending beyond the pancreas, or 8th T2-T3N0 limited to the pancreas), RPA-IIA (8th T2N0 extending beyond the pancreas, or 8th T1N1-N2), RPA-IIB (8th T3N0 extending beyond the pancreas, or 8th T2-T3N1), and RPA-III stages (8th T2-T3N2) (median survival in the training set: 47, 28, 20, 16, and 14 months, respectively; P < 0.001). The RPA staging scheme outperformed the 7th and 8th AJCC classifications in terms of prognostic stratification, discriminatory ability, and prognostic homogeneity for both the training and validation sets. Conclusions: The proposed RPA staging is a superior risk-stratified tool to the 7th and 8th AJCC classifications and is not substantially more complex.