Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An analysis of international student achievement test outcomes and the competitiveness of nations

This study examines the correlation between international student achievement test outcomes and national competitiveness rankings. Student achievement data are derived from a variation-adjusted, common metric data set for 74 countries that have participated in any of the international mathematics and science achievement tests since 1964. National competitiveness data are taken from the 2014-15 Global Competitiveness Index published by the World Economic Forum. A Spearman’s rank-order correlation was run to assess the relationship between student performance on international achievement tests and the competitiveness of nations. Preliminary analysis showed the relationship to be monotonic, as assessed by a visual inspection of a scatter plot. For all nations, there was a moderate positive correlation between student performance on international achievement tests and the competitiveness of a nation, rs (98) = 0.688, p < . 001. However, this relationship disappeared among the 18 most competitive nations, the cohort to which the United States belongs. The relationship also disappeared among the 18 nations with the highest achievement scores on international tests. Student performance on international assessments appears to have no relationship to the competitiveness of the United States. This study has implications for legislators and public education leaders who want to maximize the return on investments in education. Education dollars and initiatives should be diverted away from accountability initiatives for high-stakes exam outcomes toward addressing poverty, equitable school funding, social stress and violence, support for young families, and support for students of immigrant families.
sRNA-Mediated Regulation of P-Fimbriae Phase Variation in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are capable of occupying physiologically distinct intracellular and extracellular niches within the urinary tract. This feat requires the timely regulation of gene expression and small RNAs (sRNAs) are known to mediate such rapid adjustments in response to changing environmental cues. This study aimed to uncover sRNA-mediated gene regulation in the UPEC strain UTI89, during infection of bladder epithelial cells. Hfq is an RNA chaperone known to facilitate and stabilize sRNA and target mRNA interactions with bacterial cells. The co-immunoprecipitation and high throughput RNA sequencing of Hfq bound sRNAs performed in this study, revealed distinct sRNA profiles in UPEC in the extracellular and intracellular environments. Our findings emphasize the importance of studying regulatory sRNAs in a biologically relevant niche. This strategy also led to the discovery of a novel virulence-associated trans-acting sRNA—PapR. Deletion of papR was found to enhance adhesion of UTI89 to both bladder and kidney cell lines in a manner independent of type-1 fimbriae. We demonstrate PapR mediated posttranscriptional repression of the P-fimbriae phase regulator gene papI and postulate a role for such regulation in fimbrial cross-talk at the population level in UPEC. Our results further implicate the Leucine responsive protein (LRP) as a transcriptional activator regulating PapR expression. Our study reports, for the first time, a role for sRNAs in regulation of P-fimbriae phase variation and emphasizes the importance of studying pathogenesis-specific sRNAs within a relevant biological niche.
Securing UAV Communications via Trajectory Optimization

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications has drawn significant interest recently due to many advantages such as low cost, high mobility, and on-demand deployment. This paper addresses the issue of physical-layer security in a UAV communication system, where a UAV sends confidential information to a legitimate receiver in the presence of a potential eavesdropper which are both on the ground. We aim to maximize the secrecy rate of the system by jointly optimizing the UAV's trajectory and transmit power over a finite horizon. In contrast to the existing literature on wireless security with static nodes, we exploit the mobility of the UAV in this paper to enhance the secrecy rate via a new trajectory design. Although the formulated problem is non-convex and challenging to solve, we propose an iterative algorithm to solve the problem efficiently, based on the block coordinate descent and successive convex optimization methods. Specifically, the UAV's transmit power and trajectory are each optimized with the other fixed in an alternating manner until convergence. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the secrecy rate of the UAV communication system, as compared to benchmark schemes without transmit power control or trajectory optimization.
Positive Impact of State Similarity on Reinforcement Learning Performance

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to identify states with similar subpolicies and show how they can be integrated into the reinforcement learning framework to improve learning performance. The method utilizes a specialized tree structure to identify common action sequences of states, which are derived from possible optimal policies, and defines a similarity function between two states based on the number of such sequences. Using this similarity function, updates on the action-value function of a state are reflected onto all similar states. This allows experience that is acquired during learning to be applied to a broader context. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated empirically.
Tyrosine hydroxylase and serotonin containing cells in embryonic rat rhombencephalon: A whole‐mount immunocytochemical study

Rhombencephala from rat embryos were processed as whole‐mounts for immunocytochemical detection of monoaminergic cell populations, using antibodies to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and serotonin (5‐HT). Specific advantages of the whole‐mount technique over the classical serial‐section method were that even isolated immunoreactive (IR) cells could be detected easily, and three‐dimensional relationships could be ascertained without the need for serial reconstruction.
Role of ATP-binding cassette drug transporters in the intestinal absorption of tanshinone IIB, one of the major active diterpenoids from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza

There is an increasing use of herbal medicines worldwide, and the extracts from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza are widely used in the treatment of angina and stroke. In this study, we investigated the mechanism for the intestinal absorption of tanshinone IIB (TSB), a major constituent of S. miltiorrhiza. The oral bioavailability of TSB was about 3% in rats with less proportional increase in its maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) with increasing dosage. The time to Cmax (Tmax) was prolonged at higher oral dosage. In a single pass rat intestinal perfusion model, the permeability coefficients (Papp) based on TSB disappearance from the lumen (Plumen) were 6.2- to 7.2-fold higher (p < 0.01) than those based on drug appearance in mesenteric venous blood (Pblood). The uptake and efflux of TSB in Caco-2 cells were also significantly altered in the presence of an inhibitor for P-glycoprotein (PgP) or for multi-drug resistance associated protein (MRP1/2). TSB transport from the apical (AP) to basolateral (BL) side in Caco-2 monolayers was 3.3- to 5.7-fold lower than that from BL to AP side, but this polarized transport was attenuated by co-incubation of PgP or MRP1/2 inhibitors. The Papp values of TSB in the BL-AP direction were significantly higher in MDCKII cells over-expressing MDR1 or MRP1, but not in cells over-expressing MRP2-5, as compared with the wild-type cells. The plasma AUC0–24hr in mdr1a and mrp1 gene-deficient mice was 10.2- to 1.7-fold higher than that in the wild-type mice. Furthermore, TSB significantly inhibited the uptake of digoxin and vinblastine in membrane vesicles containing PgP or MRP1. TSB also moderately stimulated PgP ATPase activity. Taken collectively, our findings indicate that TSB is a substrate for PgP and MRP1 and that drug resistance to TSB therapy and drug interactions may occur through PgP and MRP1 modulation.
MCMs expression in lung cancer: implication of prognostic significance

Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) proteins play essential roles in various cancers. We previously reported that MCM7 could be a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of current study is to explore roles of other MCM proteins in NSCLC and their correlation with clinico-pathologic parameters of NSCLC patients. We evaluated the expression of MCM2, MCM5 and MCM6 immunohistochemically in 571 primary NSCLC samples. High expression of MCM2, MCM5 and MCM6 was detected in 42.2%, 38.3% and 52.9% of tumor tissues, respectively. The expression of MCM2, MCM5 and MCM6 was significantly associated with gender (P = 0.00004, 0.00004, 0.008), tumor type (P < 0.00001, < 0.00001, 0.00001) and smoking history (P = 0.009, 0.00043, 0.002). MCM2 and MCM5 were detected more in central-type lung cancer (P< 0.006, 0.016). Higher labeling index (LI) of MCM2 was observed more frequently in aged patients (P = 0.023) and in those at later stage (P = 0.001). Higher MCM5 LIs was detected more in patients with distant metastasis (P = 0.008). Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that early-stage (stage I/II) patients with higher MCM2 LIs had a poorer OS compared to those with lower LIs (P = 0.021). And lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients presenting high MCM5 expression had shorter OS (P = 0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that MCM5 was an independent prognostic indicator (P = 0.035, HR = 1.586, 95%CI: 1.032-2.437). We reported for the first time that higher MCM5 LIs could be an independent adverse prognostic biomarker for SCC patients.
Trading strategies based on past returns: evidence from Germany

Among the various strategies studied in this paper, only momentum investing appears to earn persistently nonzero returns: From 1965 to 2014, the classical momentum strategy based on performance over the previous 2–12 months earned an average return of 1.57% per month (excluding microcap stocks and value-weighted returns). In the most recent 10-year period, this return was even larger—2.27%—which is much larger than in the USA. However, profitability net of transaction costs is weak because the strategy involves trading in disproportionately small stocks with high transaction costs, something that is particularly true for the loser portfolio. A strategy that concentrates only on the winner portfolio and thus avoids potential problems associated with (short) selling the costly loser portfolio appears to earn strong and persistently abnormal profits, even after transaction costs.
Anorectal Strictures and Genital Crohn Disease: An Unusual Clinical Association

Perianal disease is a well-recognized complication of Crohn disease and is often present when diagnosis is made (1,2). The reported incidence of perianal Crohn disease in the pediatric population varies between 13% and 62% (3–6). Anorectal stricture is a less common manifestation, and rarely are symptoms noted unless complicated by perianal sepsis or fistulae (7,8). Genital involvement is rare in adults and children. Crohn disease already poses a major medical and psychosocial impact on young people. The additional problems of chronic genital and rectal involvement, poor response to treatment, and need for repeat treatments presents an additional burden. We report a series of nine young patients with Crohn disease and anorectal stricture, five of whom had associated genital disease. All patients were actively undergoing treatment at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne at the time of reporting, and information was collected retrospectively and prospectively.
Providing a Healthier Start to Life: The Impact of Conditional Cash Transfers on Neo-Natal and Infant Mortality *

In this paper, I evaluate the impact of Mexico's conditional cash transfer program, Progresa, on infant mortality. While studies on other aspects of Progresa make use of a randomized treatment and control evaluation database performed in 506 communities, this database lacks sufficient sample size to measure the effect on infant mortality. Instead, I use vital statistics data to determine municipality-level, rural infant mortality rates and create a panel dataset covering the period 1992-2001. I take advantage of the phasing-in of the program over time both between and within municipalities to identify the impact of the program. I find that Progresa led to an 11 percent decline in rural infant mortality among households treated in Progresa municipalities. Reductions were almost twice as large in those communities where, prior to program interventions, households had worse access to electricity, literacy rates were lower, more people were lived in a household, less households had a dirt floor, and fewer people worked in the primary sector.
Surrogate end points for long-term outcomes in chronic myeloid leukemia

Abstract The natural history of the chronic phase (CP) of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and the high response rates achieved with BCR–ABL inhibitor therapy necessitate long-term evaluation of survival-based outcome measures. Prior to the availability of long-term BCR–ABL inhibitor data, short-term surrogate end points predictive of longer-term outcomes have been identified using data from clinical trials of patients with CML-CP treated with interferon-α-based therapy and approved BCR–ABL inhibitors. In patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP treated with imatinib, achieving a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) by 12 months has been associated with more favorable outcomes, and both CCyR and major cytogenetic response have been used as surrogate end points for regulatory approval. Following approval of second-generation BCR–ABL inhibitors in the first-line setting (nilotinib, dasatinib), which have significantly faster and deeper response rates than imatinib, molecular-based surrogate markers at earlier time points of 3 and 6 months are also being explored, although longer follow-up is needed. As patients who achieve early responses show the greatest long-term benefit, these end points may help to identify patients with suboptimal responses early in treatment who might benefit from switching to a different, more effective therapy.
Serotonin activity in anorexia nervosa after long-term weight restoration: response to D-fenfluramine challenge

Synopsis Abnormalities in central serotonin function have been implicated in the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa. It is difficult, however, to separate neuroendocrine abnormalities induced by weight loss and malnutrition from those related primarily to the disorder itself. To minimize these influences, this study assessed long-term weight restored anorexics. A correlation between persistent eating-related psychopathology, co-morbid illness and serotonin dysfunction was sought. Nine female weight-restored out-patients who had previously fulfilled DSM-III-R criteria for anorexia nervosa and nine healthy controls participated. Following baseline estimation, prolactin and cortisol responses to 30 mg p.o. of D-fenfluramine were measured over a 5 h period. Eating related psychopathology was assessed using the Eating Disorders Inventory and Eating Attitudes Test. Depressive and obsessional symptoms were measured using the Beck Depressive and Maudsley Obsessive–Compulsive Inventories respectively. The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire assessed impulsivity. The weight-restored anorexic group exhibited persistent eating-related psychopathology and significant co-morbid symptomatology. There was no difference between long-term weight restored anorexics and controls in their endocrine response to D-fenfluramine. Long-term weight-recovered anorexic subjects continued to exhibit behavioural and attitudinal disturbances characteristic of anorexia nervosa. The results suggest that abnormalities in 5HT activity do not contribute significantly to trait status in anorexia nervosa.
Excess Gestational Weight Gain: Modifying Fetal Macrosomia Risk Associated With Maternal Glucose

OBJECTIVE: To estimate how maternal weight gain and maternal glucose relate to fetal macrosomia risk (greater than 4,000 g) among a population universally screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: Between 1995 and 2003, 41,540 pregnant women in two regions (Northwest/Hawaii) of a large U.S. health plan had GDM screening using the 50-g glucose challenge test; 6,397 also underwent a 3-hour, 100-g oral glucose tolerance test. We assessed the relationship between level of maternal glucose with glucose screening and fetal macrosomia risk after adjustment for potential confounders, including maternal age, parity, and ethnicity and sex of the newborn. We stratified by maternal weight gain (40 lb or fewer compared with more than 40 lb) because excessive maternal weight gain modified results. RESULTS: Among women with both normal and abnormal GDM screenings, increasing level of maternal glucose was linearly related to macrosomia risk (P<.001 for trend in all groups). Women with excessive weight gain (more than 40 lb) had nearly double the risk of fetal macrosomia for each level of maternal glucose compared with those with gestational weight gain of 40 lb or fewer. For example, among women with normal post–glucose challenge test glucose levels (less than 95 mg/dL) and excessive weight gain, 16.5% had macrosomic newborns compared with 9.3% of women who gained 40 lb or fewer. Moreover, nearly one third of women (29.3%) with GDM who gained more than 40 lb had a macrosomic newborn compared with only 13.5% of women with GDM who gained 40 lb or fewer during pregnancy (P=.018). CONCLUSION: Excessive pregnancy weight gain nearly doubles the risk of fetal macrosomia with each increasing level of maternal glucose, even among women with GDM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Peripheral patterns of calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide general somatic sensory innervation: Cutaneous and deep terminations

The distribution of calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity (IR) was studied in peripheral tissues of rats. The ganglionic origin, somatosensory nature, and anatomic relations of this thin‐axon population were evaluated with particular emphasis on possible nociceptive roles. In animals untreated with colchicine, CGRP‐IR is found in a vast proportion of small‐ and medium‐diameter sensory ganglion cells that give rise to numerous thinly myelinated and unmyelinated axons that display CGRP‐IR throughout the body.
Study on the industrial Eco-Efficiency in East China based on the Super Efficiency DEA Model: an example of the 2003–2013 panel data

ABSTRACT The article uses the panel data of six provinces and one chartered city in East China from 2003 to 2013 as an example, constructs the input–output indicators system of Eco-Efficiency, calculates each region’s industrial Eco-Efficiencies throughout the 11 years by the Super Efficiency DEA Model, carries out dynamic studies on the efficiencies by using the Malmquist Index and analyses the factors influencing the efficiencies by the Tobit model. The empirical studies suggest the following: the regions in East China have relatively high industrial Eco-Efficiencies, and the efficiencies turn out a downward then upward trend; there are disparities among the regions as Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu are regions of relatively high industrial Eco-Efficiencies; the region all have Tfpch (productivity changes) greater than 1, of which the average is 7.2%, and the industrial Eco-Efficiencies are mainly driven by technology advancement; research and development, foreign capital and industrial structure each has a positive relationship with the industrial Eco-Efficiencies, and research and development has a significant influence, while industrial structure has an insignificant influence, and environment governance has a negative and significant influence.
A New Method in the Treatment of Ear Amputation: Experimental and Clinical Study

There have been plenty of reconstruction methods for ear amputation, and replantation preserves its importance. In situations where replantation is not feasible, various methods were proposed. We indicate an alternative technique for the ear amputation without replantation indication. The method of replacing of a vascular structure into the tunnel formed on the posterior side of the amputated ear was used instead of replacing the ear cartilage into a vascular area that was described in the literature of ear prefabrication. The dorsal fascial flaps which were prepared from the back of 10 New Zealand rabbits were placed into the amputated ear. The 2 groups, control and the experimental, were consequently the ear that was adapted as a composite graft and the ear with the flap inserted. The ears were examined macroscopically and photographed on postoperative days 3, 7, 14, and 21. On the 21st day, the nourishment pattern of the ear, the dorsal fascia, and the dorsal fascia adapted ear were investigated with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The group that received applied dorsal fascia possessed increased vascularity. The viability was evaluated with the biopsies taken from the control group and the group that received applied dorsal fascial flap on the 21st day. The cartilage and the connective tissue were viable in the flap-applied group, whereas there was necrosis in the control group. The reflection of the experimental study was performed on 2 subtotal and 1 total ear amputation cases, with the utilization of the superficial temporal artery. The nourishment of the flaps was evaluated with postoperative photographs, angiography, and bone scintigraphy.
Morphology, Structure, and Gas Sensing Performance of Conductive Polymers and Polymer/Carbon Black Composites Used for Volatile Compounds Detection

In this paper, we present fabrication, characterization, and sensing performance of four sensor elements, including two conducting polymers (polypyrrole and polyaniline), and two polymer/carbon black (CB) composites consisting ethyl cellulose (EC) and poly(caprolactone) (PCL). The identifications of four different vapors (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ammonia) by these four sensors have been successfully demonstrated by using the principal component analysis. The sensing mechanisms of the examined sensors were investigated and a discussion on the similarity of gas sensor responses and the creep behavior has also been given. It was found that the response/recovery behavior of gas sensors can be presented by the Kelvin–Voigt rheological model. The effect of CB content on polymer/carbon sensor performance was investigated in the range of 15–20 wt. %. The increase of CB wt. %, led to increase the sensor response. The morphology of the produced EC/CB and PCL/CB composite sensors has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Polyaniline indicated the highest response to ammonia due to effect of ${p}$ -phenylene resonance on deprotonation process. The PCL/CB sensor response was more pronounced as compared with EC/CB, due to its higher porous structure.