Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation under a likelihood ratio order

Comparison of two univariate distributions based on independent samples from them is a fundamental problem in statistics, with applications in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. In many situations, we might hypothesize that the two distributions are stochastically ordered, meaning intuitively that samples from one distribution tend to be larger than those from the other. One type of stochastic order that arises in economics, biomedicine, and elsewhere is the likelihood ratio order, also known as the density ratio order, in which the ratio of the density functions of the two distributions is monotone non-decreasing. In this article, we derive and study the nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator of the individual distributions and the ratio of their densities under the likelihood ratio order. Our work applies to discrete distributions, continuous distributions, and mixed continuous-discrete distributions. We demonstrate convergence in distribution of the estimator in certain cases, and we illustrate our results using numerical experiments and an analysis of a biomarker for predicting bacterial infection in children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
An investigation of the factors affecting the perception of gamification and game elements

While various studies have investigated the effects of gamification on learning, less concern is paid to investigate the effects of learners' differences on perception of gamification. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of age, gender and gaming frequency differences on the learners' perception of gamification and game elements. In this context, a gamified online Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) was developed where eighty three learners, from a public university in Tunisia, used it to learn "Object Oriented Design Methodology" and "Basic software" courses. The findings showed that gender and gaming frequency do not affect the perception of gamification but they do affect the perception of using game elements. These findings can be exploited by researchers, educators and practitioners to provide personalized and gamified learning experiences.
Balloon-mounted versus self-expanding stents for symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis combined with poor collaterals

ABSTRACT Objectives: To compare the technical and 1-year outcomes of balloon-mounted versus self-expanding stents for symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. Methods: 167 patients with severe intracranial vertebrobasilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis with poor collaterals were enrolled. Both balloon-mounted stenting and self-expanding stent placement were selected to treat patients. The baseline characteristics, cerebral angiography and clinical follow-up were assessed between the two groups. Results: The overall mean stenosis degree was reduced from 82.8 ± 11.8% pre-stent placement to 9.41 ± 8.20% post-stent placement. Patients treated with self-expanding stent were more likely to undergo general anesthesia (81.2% versus 67.3%; P = 0.048) and have longer operative times (91.0 ± 25.1 min versus 67.9 ± 17.1 min, P = 0.012) than those treated with self-expanding stents. Patients treated with self-expanding stents were more likely to require longer and larger diameter stents (14.99 ± 3.26 mm versus 9.23 ± 2.46 mm, P = 0.000; 3.28 ± 0.57 mm versus 2.74 ± 0.30 mm, P = 0.000, respectively). The degree of residual stenosis in self-expanding stent group was higher than patients treated with balloon-mounted stents (13.39 ± 8.64% versus 6.70 ± 6.62%, P = 0.000). The rates of stroke, transient ischemic attack or death at 1-year follow-up were not significantly different between two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Stenting for patients with severe symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar arterial stenosis with poor collaterals can be performed safely with efficacy. Patients treated with balloon-mounted stents appear to have shorter operative times and lower re-stenosis rates than treated with self-expanding stents.
Challenges associated with the pathological diagnosis of colorectal tumors less than 10 mm in size

Various techniques including cold snare polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection are used for the removal of small colorectal polyps. Specimens of resected polyps are prepared in pathology laboratories and analyzed to make a pathological diagnosis. However, reports on how different resection methods influence the pathological diagnosis are limited. This article discusses the problems associated with the failure of polyp retrieval and fragmentation of small specimens during collection and the effects of certain parameters on the pathological diagnosis, particularly with regard to surgical margins. In the future, although pathologists are expected to encounter problems as a result of minor findings that are not clinically problematic, relatively rare cases such as submucosal invasion by a small carcinoma should not be overlooked.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Porcine Ovaries at Proestrus and Estrus Stages Using RNA-Seq Technique

Estrus is an important factor for the fecundity of sows, and it is involved in ovulation and hormone secretion in ovaries. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of porcine estrus, the expression patterns of ovarian mRNA at proestrus and estrus stages were analyzed using RNA sequencing technology. A total of 2,167 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (P ≤ 0.05, |log2 Ratio| ≥ 1), of which 784 were upregulated and 1,383 were downregulated in the estrus compared with the proestrus group. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment indicated that these DEGs were mainly involved in the cellular process, single-organism process, cell and cell part, and binding and metabolic process. In addition, a pathway analysis showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in 33 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including cell adhesion molecules, ECM-receptor interaction, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed the differential expression of 10 selected DEGs. Many of the novel candidate genes identified in this study will be valuable for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the sow estrous cycle.
Maturing institutional experience with the transradial approach for diagnostic cerebral arteriography: overcoming the learning curve

Background Despite growing interest in the transradial approach for neurovascular procedures, prospective data about the learning curve for neurointerventionalists adopting this approach are limited. Methods A subsequent prospective series of 50 consecutive right transradial diagnostic cerebral arteriograms was compared with our initial institutional experience using a procedural staging system. The primary outcome was the ability to achieve the predefined procedural goals using the radial approach. Secondary outcomes included the technical ability to access and inject each supraaortic artery of interest and the incidence of complications. Results The primary outcome was achieved in 49 patients (98%) compared with 88% in the initial series (p=0.05). One stage 2 failure (2%) occurred. Crossover to the transfemoral approach occurred in one patient (2%) compared with 8% in the initial series (p=0.16). All supraaortic arteries of interest were accessed and injected with success rates between 93% and 100%. There were no major complications and two minor complications. Conclusion Neurointerventionalists can overcome the right transradial learning curve and achieve high success rates and low crossover rates after performing 30–50 cases.
High mass X-ray binaries: Beacons in a stormy universe

Abstract The discovery of gravity waves from the mergers of black hole binaries has focused the astronomical community on the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) as the potential progenitors of close pairs of compact stars. This symposium gathered experts in observational and theoretical work for a very timely review of our understanding of the processes that drive the X-ray luminosity of the diverse kinds of binaries and what evolutionary stages are revealed in the observed cases. Here I offer a condensed summary of some of the results about massive star properties, the observational categories of HMXBs, their accretion processes, their numbers in the Milky Way and other galaxies, and how they may be related to the compact binaries that merge in a burst of gravity waves.
Differential perception of sharp pain in patients with borderline personality disorder

Cutting is the most common method of non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) to reduce inner tension in patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim of this study was to compare pain perception induced by an incision and by application of a surrogate model for sharp mechanical pain (a non‐invasive “blade”) in BPD.
Acute effects of dietary plant nutrients on transcriptome profiles: evidence from human studies

Abstract The health benefits of long-term dietary plant ingestion are well-established. However, literature on acute nutritional challenges is very limited. This study aimed to identify available evidence on transcriptomics responses to acute ingestion of plants or plant extracts and identify signature gene profiles that may serve as biomarkers of health status. We systematically searched electronic databases and extracted information based-on inclusion criteria such as human clinical studies, single plant-based nutrients and outcomes reported on acute transcriptome responses. A total of 11 studies reported on acute intake of plant dietary interventions. Four studies investigating natural oil extracts with three reporting on whole plants and two studies on natural plant-derived extracts. Gene expression was found to be associated with immune response (7 studies), inflammation (9 studies), metabolism (8 studies), cellular processes and cancer. The finding of this systematic review suggests that acute ingestion may significantly impact diverse physiological and pathological pathways including inflammatory, immune, cancer and oxidative stress pathways. Transcriptomics approach is proven to be an effective strategy in discovery of these anticipated mechanisms. Further studies are now required to validate and continue exploring the short-term health impact of dietary plants and their bioactive phytochemicals on gene expression and function.
Comparative Study of Predictive Value for Different Risk Scores forPredicting Contrast Induced Nephropathy and Short Outcome afterPrimary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Meticulous risk stratification for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is important for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Aim of the work: To compare between different risk scores for predicting contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and short outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Materials and methods: We prospectively enrolled 100 patients who presented with STEMI and treated with Primary PCI. Mehran, Gao, Chen, ACEF or AGEF (age, serum creatinine, or glomerular filtration rate, and ejection fraction); and GRACE (Global Registry for Acute Coronary Events) risk scores were calculated for each patient. The predictive accuracy of the 6 scores for CIN, in-hospital death and major adverse clinical events (MACEs) were assessed by Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. CIN was defined as an absolute increase of serum creatinine by ≥ 0.5 mg/dl or a relative increase of serum creatinine by ≥ 25% from baseline value, at 48-72 h following the exposure to contrast media (CM). The data was analyzed using Chi-square test using SPSS (Statistical package for social science) software. Results: All risk scores had relatively good predictive accuracy for CIN (Area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 0.671 to 0.829) and performed well for prediction of in-hospital death (AUC ranged from 0.838 to 0.973) and MACEs (AUC ranged from 0.815 to 0.926). The Mehran and Gao risk scores had better predictive accuracy for CIN. While Mehran and GRACE risk scores had better predictive accuracy for in-hospital death and MACEs. Conclusion: Risk scores for predicting CIN perform well in stratifying the risk of CIN, in-hospital death and MACEs in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI. The Gao, Mehran risk scores appear to have greater predictive value for CIN. While GRACE and Mehran scores had highest predictive accuracy for in hospital death and MACEs than the other risk scores.
Can Substorm Particle Acceleration Be Applied to Solar Flares?

Using test particle studies in the electromagnetic fields of three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of magnetic reconnection, we study the energization of charged particles in the context of the standard two-ribbon flare picture in analogy to the standard magnetospheric substorm paradigm. In particular, we investigate the effects of the collapsing field (“collapsing magnetic trap”) below a reconnection site, which has been demonstrated to be the major acceleration mechanism that causes energetic particle acceleration and injections observed in Earth’s magnetotail associated with substorms and other impulsive events. We contrast an initially force-free, high-shear field (low beta) with low and moderate shear, finite-pressure (high-beta) arcade structures, where beta represents the ratio between gas (plasma) and magnetic pressure. We demonstrate that the energization affects large numbers of particles, but the acceleration is modest in the presence of a significant shear field. Without incorporating loss mechanisms, the effect on particles at different energies is similar, akin to adiabatic heating, and thus is not a likely mechanism to generate a power-law tail onto a (heated or not heated) Maxwellian velocity distribution.
Teacher Job Dissatisfaction: Implications for Teacher Sustainability and Social Transformation

Abstract Teachers play a key role in the social transformation agenda. This agentic position of the teacher implicates an agenda for sustainability programmes that position them for this complex responsibility. A qualitative case study research design was employed to obtain the perspectives of teachers on job dissatisfaction. The researchers followed a semi-structured interview approach to explore teachersí broader understanding on causes of job dissatisfaction among them. Data was interpreted through the narrative analysis model. Results indicate that a lack of resources, overcrowded classes and lack of discipline among learners were serious sources of dissatisfaction among teachers. Administrative issues, lack of recognition by principals and parents for good work done also caused dissatisfaction among teachers in this study. It was also indicative that job dissatisfaction caused disengagement of some teachers with a consequent lack of focus on professional activities and being negative in their job. The study concludes that teacher satisfaction is germane for the sustainability of social transformation.
Study on Laminar Hydathodes of Ficus formosana (Moraceae) I. Morphology and Ultrastructure

In this study, the clearing method, LM, SEM, and TEM were used to examine the morphology and ultra-structures of laminar hydathodes of Ficus formosana Maxim. f. Shimadai Hayata. Morphologically, the laminar-hydathode of F. formosana is complex epithemal type, consisting of water pores. tracheid-ends, epithem cells, and a bounding sheath layer. Water pores are made up of two guard cells, and their pores open permanently. Ultrastructural and cytological data demonstrated that the epithem cell has a dense cytoplasm, numerous mitochondria, an extended ER system, and many small vesicles derived from Golgi bodies. It has proliferate peroxisomes, and their numbers increase with the maturation and aging of the epithem. In addition, abundant plasmodesmata were observed on the contacted cell wall between epithem cells. Variable structures of plasmalemmasome were also observed on the plasma membrane of the epithem. Plasmalemmasome is the result of endocytosis caused by the plasmolysis-deplasmolysis cycle, which is induced by repeating transpiration and guttation day and night. We suggest that the hydathode is an ideal system for studying endocytosis in plants.
Are All People Married?: Determining Obligatory Attributes in Knowledge Bases

An attribute is obligatory for a class in a Knowledge Base (KB), if all instances of the class have the attribute in the real world. For example, hasBirthDate is an obligatory attribute for the class Person, while has Spouse is not. In this paper, we propose a new way to model incompleteness in KBs. From this model, we derive a method to automatically determine obligatory attributes -- using only the data from the KB. Our algorithm can detect such attributes with a precision of up to 90%.
Contraction for large perturbations of traveling waves in a hyperbolic–parabolic system arising from a chemotaxis model

We consider a hyperbolic–parabolic system arising from a chemotaxis model in tumor angiogenesis, which is described by a Keller–Segel equation with singular sensitivity. It is known to allow viscous shocks (so-called traveling waves). We introduce a relative entropy of the system, which can capture how close a solution at a given time is to a given shock wave in almost [Formula: see text]-sense. When the shock strength is small enough, we show the functional is non-increasing in time for any large initial perturbation. The contraction property holds independently of the strength of the diffusion.
Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism in a patient with diabetes mellitus: an unforgettable case report

A 58-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of chronic and intermittent hyperkalemia requiring recurrent attendances to the emergency department for urgent treatment. His medical history included secondary diabetes mellitus following a bout of acute pancreatitis and a previous splenectomy for a spontaneous splenic rupture. He also had a history of prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for back pain and painful neuropathy. He was not on any medication or diet that would cause a raised serum potassium level and his renal function was normal. He was on a basal-bolus insulin regimen but his diabetes control had been poor for several years. As the hyperkalemia had gone on for so long in the presence of normal renal function, he went on to have further tests. Adrenal insufficiency had been ruled out following a short Synacthen test. Further investigations revealed low serum aldosterone levels and inappropriately low serum renin levels in the presence of hyperkalemia. This was suggestive of hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism (HH). He was then treated with fludrocortisone and furosemide and his serum potassium levels remained normal. Additionally, he did not require any more emergency admissions to treat hyperkalemia thereafter. It was concluded that the HH-induced hyperkalemia was caused by diabetes mellitus or due to a combination of diabetes and prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The absence of renal impairment may have contributed to the delay in diagnosis. HH is a commonly overlooked cause of hyperkalemia. This case highlights the fact that it should always be suspected when unexplained hyperkalemia is found in patients with only mild-moderately impaired renal function, especially in the presence of diabetes mellitus.
The Effect of a Bone Groove Against Cochlear Implant Electrode Migration.

HYPOTHESIS The risk of electrode migration in cochlear implant (CI) surgery can be reduced by securing the electrode lead in a bone groove in the chorda-facial angle. BACKGROUND Electrode migration is an important complication in CI surgery, which affects hearing performance, may induce pain and facial nerve stimulation, and requires surgical revision. A potential method to secure the electrode is to use a bone groove created in the facial recess to fixate the electrode lead. This surgical measure is a standard procedure for lateral wall electrodes (LWE) in our clinic since 2013. METHODS Retrospective analysis of consecutive CI cases of a tertiary referral center from 2006 to 2016 and comparison of incidence rates between group A (without bone groove, years 2006-2012) and group B (with bone groove fixation, years 2013-2016). Clinical cases were reviewed with respect to electrode type, migration length, time interval to migration, and findings during revision surgery. RESULTS Seventeen cases of electrode migration were found in a total of 1,603 cochlear implantations. Only LWE designs were affected by migration. The cumulative incidence for LWE in group B (0.5%) was significantly lower than in group A (3.7%, p < 0.01). The two migration cases in group B revealed insufficient geometric design of the bone grooves. Only one patient experienced a remigration after revision surgery. CONCLUSION The fixation in a bone groove in the chorda-facial angle is an effective measure against migration of LWE. Proper surgical execution is mandatory to ensure a tight and enduring fit.
Limited evidence for CO2‐related growth enhancement in northern Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine populations across climate gradients

Forests sequester large amounts of carbon annually and are integral in buffering against effects of global change. Increasing atmospheric CO2 may enhance photosynthesis and/or decrease stomatal conductance (gs) thereby enhancing intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE), having potential indirect and direct benefits to tree growth. While increasing iWUE has been observed in most trees globally, enhanced growth is not ubiquitous, possibly due to concurrent climatic constraints on growth. To investigate our incomplete understanding of interactions between climate and CO2 and their impacts on tree physiology and growth, we used an environmental gradient approach. We combined dendrochronology with carbon isotope analysis (δ13C) to assess the covariation of basal area increment (BAI) and iWUE over time in lodgepole pine. Trees were sampled at 18 sites spanning two climatically distinct elevation transects on the lee and windward sides of the Continental Divide, encompassing the majority of lodgepole pine's northern Rocky Mountain elevational range. We analyzed BAI and iWUE from 1950 to 2015, and explored correlations with monthly climate variables. As expected, iWUE increased at all sites. However, concurrent growth trends depended on site climatic water deficit (CWD). Significant growth increases occurred only at the driest sites, where increases in iWUE were strongest, while growth decreases were greatest at sites where CWD has been historically lowest. Late summer drought of the previous year negatively affected growth across sites. These results suggest that increasing iWUE, if strong enough, may indirectly benefit growth at drier sites by effectively extending the growing season via reductions in gs. Strong growth decreases at high elevation windward sites may reflect increasing water stress as a result of decreasing snowpack, which was not offset by greater iWUE. Our results imply that increasing iWUE driven by decreasing gs may benefit tree growth in limited scenarios, having implications for future carbon uptake potential of semiarid ecosystems.
Current Trends in Eye Tracking Research in Mathematics Education: A PME Literature Review

Eye tracking (ET) is a research method that receives growing interest in mathematics education research (MER). This paper aims to give a literature overview, specifically focusing on the evolution of interest in this technology, ET equipment, and analysis methods used in mathematics education. To capture the current state, we focus on papers published in the proceedings of PME, one of the primary conferences dedicated to MER, of the last ten years. We identify trends in interest, methodology, and methods of analysis that are used in the community, and discuss possible future developments.