Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Validity of Measurement in Learning Disabilities Using Hierarchical Generalized Linear Modeling

The purpose of the present studies was to test the hypothesis that the psychometric characteristics of ability scales may be significantly distorted if one accounts for emotional factors during test taking. Specifically, the present studies evaluate the effects of anxiety and motivation on the item difficulties of the Rasch model. In Study 1, the validity of a reading comprehension scale was evaluated using the Rasch model with 60 students with learning disabilities (LD). Item parameters were retested for the presence of anxiety and results indicated that the scale was substantially more difficult in its presence. Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1 using maladaptive motivation and extended with inclusion of adaptive motivational variables in order to reverse the effect. Results using students with and without LD indicated that the difficulty levels of the scale was lower for students with LD, in the presence of positive motivation, compared with a typical student group. Study 3 extended the dichotomous hierarchical generalized linear model with polytomous data. The measures of an ability test were adjusted for the presence of anxiety and results indicated that differential item functioning was observed at both the global level and the most difficult ability item. It is concluded that the difficulty levels of a scale are heavily influenced by situational factors during testing, such as students’ entry levels of motivation and affect.
The 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents: development, improvement, and prospects

Growth charts are curves or tables that facilitate the visualization of anthropometric parameters, and are widely used as an important indicator when evaluating the growth status of children and adolescents. The latest version of the Korean National Growth Charts released in 2007 has raised concerns regarding the inclusion of data from both breastfed and formula-fed infants, higher body mass index (BMI) values in boys, and smaller 3rd percentile values in height-for-age charts. Thus, new growth charts have been developed to improve the previous version. The 2006 World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, regarded as the standard for breastfed infants and children, were introduced for children aged 0–35 months. For children and adolescents aged 3–18 years, these new growth charts include height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI-for-age, weight-for-height, and head circumference-for-age charts, and were developed using data obtained in 1997 and 2005. Data sets and exclusion criteria were applied differently for the development of the different growth charts. BMI-for-age charts were adjusted to decrease the 95th percentile values of BMI. Criteria for obesity were simplified and defined as a BMI of ≥95th percentile for age and sex. The 3rd percentile values for height-for-age charts were also increased. Additional percentile lines (1st and 99th) and growth charts with standard deviation lines were introduced. 2017 Korean National Growth Charts are recommended for the evaluation of body size and growth of Korean children and adolescents for use in clinics and the public health sector in Korea.
Elemental properties, hydrology, and biology interact to shape concentration‐discharge curves for carbon, nutrients, sediment, and major ions

To investigate the prevalence and cause of concentration‐discharge (C‐Q) relationships for carbon, nutrients, major ions, and particulates, we analyzed 40 years of water quality data from 293 monitoring stations in France. Catchments drained diverse landscapes and ranged from 50 to 110,000 km2, together covering nearly half of France. To test for differences during low and high flows, we calculated independent C‐Q slopes above and below the median discharge. We found that 84% of all catchment‐element combinations were chemodynamic for at least half of the hydrograph and 60% of combinations showed nonlinear C‐Q curves. Only two or three of the nine possible C‐Q modalities were manifest for each parameter, and these modalities were stable through time, suggesting that intrinsic and extrinsic elemental properties (e.g., solubility, reactivity, and source dynamics) set basic C‐Q templates for each parameter, which are secondarily influenced by biological activity during low flows, and the interaction between hydrology and catchment characteristics at high flows. Several patterns challenged current C‐Q views, including low‐flow chemostasis for TSS in 66% of catchments, low‐flow biological mediation of NO3− in 71% of catchments, and positive C‐Q for dissolved organic carbon independent of catchment size in 80% of catchments. Efforts to reduce nutrient loading decreased phosphorus concentration and altered C‐Q curves, but NO3− continued to increase. While C‐Q segmentation requires more data than a single analysis, the prevalence of nonlinear C‐Q slopes demonstrates the potential information loss associated with linear or monotonic analysis of C‐Q relationships, and conversely, the value of long‐term monitoring.
Advanced risk analysis of interface delamination in semiconductor packages: A novel experimental approach to calibrating cohesive zone elements for finite element modelling

Interfacial delamination in semiconductor packages during their lifetime is a reliability risk. For the realisation of a “Design for Reliability” approach, the whole product needs to be studied virtually using Finite Element (FE) simulations. Only this approach allows for the evaluation of possible failure mechanisms, which is an integral part of risk analyses in reliability assessments. The Cohesive Zone Method enables the prediction of interfacial damage initiation and damage evolution in the simulation model. For accurate simulation results, not only material models need to be chosen wisely, but also the parameters for the cohesive zone. A new experimental method was proposed for the calibration of these damage models, utilising the Advanced Button Shear Test. Critical fracture energies are determined based on sub-sequent shear loading, and thus, sub-critical damage evolution at the interface of the test vehicle. This paper describes a FE simulation model used for the verification of the calculated critical fracture energies. Influencing factors are identified using simulation and experiment, and a new calibration procedure is introduced. Furthermore, design adaptations of the shear chisel are given for the optimisation of the experimental procedure.
Individual and Area-Based Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Dementia Incidence in England

Importance Lower educational attainment is associated with a higher risk of dementia. However, less clear is the extent to which other socioeconomic markers contribute to dementia risk. Objective To examine the relationship of education, wealth, and area-based deprivation with the incidence of dementia over the last decade in England and investigate differences between people born in different periods. Design, Setting, and Participants Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a prospective cohort study that is representative of the English population, were used to investigate the associations between markers of socioeconomic status (wealth quintiles and the index of multiple deprivation) and dementia incidence. To investigate outcomes associated with age cohorts, 2 independent groups were derived using a median split (born between 1902-1925 and 1926-1943). Main Outcomes and Measures Dementia as determined by physician diagnosis and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly. Results A total of 6220 individuals aged 65 years and older enrolled in the study (median [interquartile range] age at baseline, 73.2 [68.1-78.3] years; 3410 [54.8%] female). Of these, 463 individuals (7.4%) had new cases of dementia ascertained in the 12 years between 2002-2003 and 2014-2015. In the cohort born between 1926 and 1943, the hazard of developing dementia was 1.68 times higher (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.68 [95% CI, 1.05-2.86]) for those in the lowest wealth quintile compared with those in the highest quintile, independent of education, index of multiple deprivation, and health indicators. Higher hazards were also observed for those in the second-highest quintile of index of multiple deprivation (HR = 1.62 [95% CI, 1.06-2.46]) compared with those in the lowest (least deprived) quintile. Conclusions and Relevance In an English nationally representative sample, the incidence of dementia appeared to be socioeconomically patterned primarily by the level of wealth. This association was somewhat stronger for participants born in later years.
Embedding Higher-Order Abstract Syntax in Type Theory

Higher-order abstract syntax (HOAS) [10] offers a direct representation of higher-order languages, where capture-avoiding substitution is function application, substitution lemmas hold by definition and all derived constructions respect substitution. However, embedding HOAS directly into type theory (and thus profiting from its perks) is difficult, since HOAS relies on an intensional host language function space, while type theoretic function spaces are extensional [6]. We thus propose an indirect approach via embeddings. An embedding of a HOAS signature into type theory is a term model of the signature. A model gives an interpretation of terms, well-behaved substitutions, and (substitution respecting) recursive definitions on terms. Previous approaches have focused on term representations and renaming essentially modelling weak HOAS [4, 11, 3]. For full models, we extend Hofmann’s presheaf semantics for a second-order signature [6], to a construction for arbitrary HOAS signatures (Figure 1). A model consists of a category of contexts D whose morphisms are substitutions and presheaves for every term sort. The action of a substitution on a term gives the notion of instantiation s[σ]. The main obstacle to constructing a term model as an inductive type are negative occurrences (tm in lam). Hofmann’s insight is that this problem disappears when Tm is representable, i.e., Tm = Hom( , T ) and D has finite products. In this case, the natural transformation Lam : Tm → Tm can equivalently be given by a natural transformation with components LamX : Tm(T ×X)→ Tm(X). For every signature, we have to construct a category D. As a first step, we create the corresponding weak HOAS signature (Figure 1 (b)), in which all non-strictly positive occurrences of a sort (tm) are replaced by a new type v of variables together with a variable constructor (var). We build a presheaf model for a weak HOAS signature by constructing a category C with enough distinct non-terminal objects to represent each sort of variables. In the case of the lambda calculus, any cartesian category with a non-terminal object T will work and we define V = Hom( , T ). The canonical choice for C is the free cartesian category on one object. We model the term sorts by the corresponding inductive types. We have previously considered presheaf models for weak HOAS signatures [8]. In the present context, the results of [8] show that this construction gives a model for a weak HOAS signature and moreover that such models always extend to models of the corresponding HOAS signature. For terms, this shows that Tm : Ĉ is a monad relative to V . The construction then extends Tm
Non-thermal processes around accreting galactic black holes

Context. Accreting black holes in galactic X-ray sources are surrounded by hot plasma. The innermost part of these systems is likely a corona with different temperatures for ions and electrons. In the so-called low-hard state, hot electrons Comptonize soft X-ray photons from the disk that partially penetrates the corona, producing emission up to � 150 keV, well beyond the expectations for an optically thick disk of maximum temperature � 10 7 K. However, sources such as Cygnus X-1 produce steady emission up to a few MeV, which is indicative of a non-thermal contribution to the spectral energy distribution. Aims. We study the radiative output produced by the injection of non-thermal (both electron and proton) particles in a magnetized corona around a black hole. Methods. Energy losses and maximum energies are estimated for all types of particles in a variety of models, characterized by different kinds of advection and relativistic proton content. Transport equations are solved for primary and secondary particles, and spectral energy distributions are determined and corrected by internal absorption. Results. We show that a local injection of non-thermal particles can account for the high energy excess observed in some sources, and we predict the existence of a high-energy bump at energies above 1 TeV, and typical luminosities of � 10 33 erg s −1 . Conclusions. High-energy instruments such as the future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) can be used to probe the relativistic particle content of the coronae around galactic black holes.
Evaluation of RNA Blood Biomarkers in the Parkinson’s Disease Biomarkers Program

There is a high misdiagnosis rate between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonian disorders (APD), such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), the second most common parkinsonian syndrome. In our earlier studies, we identified and replicated RNA blood biomarkers in several independent cohorts, however, replication in a cohort that includes PSP patients has not yet been performed. To this end, we evaluated the diagnostic potential of nine previously identified RNA biomarkers using quantitative PCR assays in 138 blood samples at baseline from PD, PSP and healthy controls (HCs) nested in the PD Biomarkers Program. Linear discriminant analysis showed that COPZ1 and PTPN1 distinguished PD from PSP patients with 62.5% accuracy. Five biomarkers, PTPN1, COPZ1, FAXDC2, SLC14A1s and NAMPT were useful for distinguishing PSP from controls with 69% accuracy. Several biomarkers correlated with clinical features in PD patients. SLC14A1-s correlated with Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale total and part III scores. In addition, COPZ1, PTPN1 and MLST8, correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Interestingly, COPZ1, EFTUD2 and PTPN1 were downregulated in cognitively impaired (CI) compared to normal subjects. Linear discriminant analysis showed that age, PTPN1, COPZ1, FAXDC2, EFTUD2 and MLST8 distinguished CI from normal subjects with 65.9% accuracy. These results suggest that COPZ1 and PTPN1 are useful for distinguishing PD from PSP patients. In addition, the combination of PTPN1, COPZ1, FAXDC2, EFTUD2 and MLST8 is a useful signature for cognitive impairment. Evaluation of these biomarkers in a larger study will be a key to advancing these biomarkers into the clinic.
Exploring the Learning Styles and Study Strategies used by Brunei High Mathematics Achievers

The gender disparity in Brunei school leaver mathematics examination results is a source of concern for parents, teachers and the education system. The present survey (N = 315) compared the learning styles and study strategies of Brunei Year 13 (pre-university/foundation) students. The common practices of top math achievers (both genders) included using active reading, adequate preparations before tests, thinking deeply, and employing memory techniques. Overall, high math achievers were stronger in study strategies rather than learning styles compared to the average and low achievers. Females were dominant in the high achieving group while males outnumbered females among the low achievers. To improve weak students’ performance in mathematics, workshops that show students how to effectively engage in reading, concentration, note-taking, memorisation techniques, deep processing, and time management should be undertaken. In addition, students with high support needs should be encouraged to attend motivational talks, small group discussions, remedial classes, or one-to-one sessions with their mathematics teachers, counsellors, and educational psychologists. Further mixed-methods research was recommended to gain additional insights and solutions. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n1p435
The Associations among Metamorphopsia, Orientation Discrimination Threshold, and Retinal Layer Thickness in Patients with Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the association among the metamorphopsia identified by Amsler grid test, orientation discrimination threshold (ODT), and retinal layer thickness in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods: A total of 48 ERM patients were divided into a fovea-spared (FS) group (n = 12) and a fovea-involved (FI) group (n = 36). A total of 23 visually normal people served as controls. Metamorphopsia was first assessed with an Amsler grid. The ODT was quantified with groups of briefly displayed short line segments. Inner and outer retinal layer thickness (IRLT and ORLT) was measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: A total of 12 patients with ERM (1 in FS and 11 in FI) reported abnormalities in the Amsler grid test. The ODT values were significantly elevated in patients in both FS (7.48 ± 1.94°, p < 0.001) and FI groups (10.14 ± 2.28°, p < 0.001) when compared to normal (4.22 ± 0.80). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses of ODT to distinguish Amsler positive and negative patients yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.829. The IRLT was significantly thicker (386.6 ± 95.1 µm vs. 127.5 ± 17.6 in normal) and ORLT were significantly thinner (88.11 ± 8.24 vs. 94.39 ± 5.66 in normal) in the FI group. ROC analyses to distinguish Amsler positive and negative patients yield an AUC of 0.917 using IRLT and 0.719 using ORLT. ODT correlated tightly with the thicker IRLT in both the FS and FI groups, and with the thinner ORLT in the FI group. Conclusions: In patients with ERM, ODT reflects functional changes that are not detected by the Amsler grid test and correlates with changes in inner retina layer thickness well.
Long‐term adverse effects of paracetamol – a review

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is the most commonly used drug in the world, with a long record of use in acute and chronic pain. In recent years, the benefits of paracetamol use in chronic conditions has been questioned, notably in the areas of osteoarthritis and lower back pain. Over the same period, concerns over the long‐term adverse effects of paracetamol use have increased, initially in the field of hypertension, but more recently in other areas as well. The evidence base for the adverse effects of chronic paracetamol use consists of many cohort and observational studies, with few randomized controlled trials, many of which contradict each other, so these studies must be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, there are some areas where the evidence for harm is more robust, and if a clinician is starting paracetamol with the expectation of chronic use it might be advisable to discuss these side effects with patients beforehand. In particular, an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and a small (~4 mmHg) increase in systolic blood pressure are adverse effects for which the evidence is particularly strong, and which show a degree of dose dependence. As our estimation of the benefits decreases, an accurate assessment of the harms is ever more important. The present review summarizes the current evidence on the harms associated with chronic paracetamol use, focusing on cardiovascular disease, asthma and renal injury, and the effects of in utero exposure.
Precipitation of Amorphous Calcium Oxalate in Aqueous Solution

Inspired by the observation that crystalline calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate biominerals frequently form via amorphous precursors, a wide range of studies have been performed which demonstrate that many inorganic crystals can precipitate from solution via amorphous phases. This article considers the crystallization mechanism of calcium oxalate, which is a significant biomineral in many plants and the primary constituent of kidney stones in vertebrates, and shows that this can also precipitate via an amorphous precursor phase from aqueous solution. A range of approaches were employed to study calcium oxalate formation, including precipitation in bulk solution in the presence and absence of additives and in the spatially confined volumes offered by track etched membranes and a crossed cylinders apparatus. A freeze concentration method was also used to generate sufficient quantities of amorphous calcium oxalate (ACO) for analysis. The results show that amorphous calcium oxalate crystallizes rapidly i.
Comparing Machine Learning Classification Approaches for Predicting Expository Text Difficulty

While hierarchical machine learning approaches have been used to classify texts into different content areas, this approach has, to our knowledge, not been used in the automated assessment of text difficulty. This study compared the accuracy of four classification machine learning approaches (flat, one-vs-one, one-vs-all, and hierarchical) using natural language processing features in predicting human ratings of text difficulty for two sets of texts. The hierarchical classification was the most accurate for the two text sets considered individually (Set A, 77.78%; Set B, 82.05%), while the non-hierarchical approaches, one-vs-one and one-vs-all, performed similar to the hierarchical classification for the combined set (71.43%). These findings suggest both promise and limitations for applying hierarchical approaches to text difficulty classification. It may be beneficial to apply a recursive top-down approach to discriminate the subsets of classes that are at the top of the hierarchy and less related, and then further separate the classes into subsets that may be more similar to one other. These results also suggest that a single approach may not always work for all types of datasets and that it is important to evaluate which machine learning approach and algorithm works best for particular datasets. The authors encourage more work in this area to help suggest which types of algorithms work best as a function of the type of dataset.
Discussing open government as a concept: a comparison between the perceptions of public managers and current academic debate

Open government is definitely not a new concept. For almost a decade, countries around the world have been implementing open government initiatives as a way to increase transparency, improved accountability, fight corruption, or foster economic development. However, there is still no consensus about the constitutive dimensions of open government and how they are perceived by public managers in different contexts. Based on a systematic literature review and a survey administered to Spanish local governments, this paper discusses the concept of Open Government (OG) and its dimensions. According to our results, public managers working on OG initiatives perceive OG through three different lenses: a) democratic values of co-responsibility, b) technological innovation, and c) availability and access to information. This new categorization of OG perspectives provides a valuable contribution to the scientific debate about what OG is and how this new public management strategy is perceived by local government managers.