Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Detection of Errors in Multivariate Data Using Principal Components

Abstract Serious problems arise in the maintenance of reliability in large data bases, since it becomes difficult to verify incoming data manually. This article considers the case in which the base consists of data vectors following a multivariate normal distribution. Five screening procedures are proposed—a “one-at-a-time” test, the standard χ2 test, and three statistics derived from principal component analysis. From analysis of a practical example, it emerges that the statistics derived from principal component analysis have superior performance.
Uniform Blow-Up Profiles and Boundary Behavior for Diffusion Equations with Nonlocal Nonlinear Source

In this paper, we introduce a new method for investigating the rate and profile of blow-up of solutions of diffusion equations with nonlocal nonlinear reaction terms. For large classes of equations, we prove that the solutions have global blow-up and that the rate of blow-up is uniform in all compact subsets of the domain. This results in a flat blow-up profile, except for a boundary layer, whose thickness vanishes astapproaches the blow-up timeT*. In each case, the blow-up rate of |u(t)|∞is precisely determined. Furthermore, in many cases, we derive sharp estimates on the size of the boundary layer and on the asymptotic behavior of the solution in the boundary layer. The size of the boundary layer then decays likeT*−t, and the solutionu(t, x) behaves like |u(t)|∞ d(x)/T*−tin the boundary layer, wheredis the distance to the boundary. Some Fujita-type critical exponents results are also given for the Cauchy problem.
Turbulent Flux Observations at the Tip of a Narrow Cape on Miyako Island in Japan's Southwestern Islands

Air-sea fluxes were observed to elucidate the lower boundary conditions in the development of an atmospheric boundary layer over sea from 14 to 27 August 2002. Fluxes were observed at the tip of a narrow cape on Miyako Island, in Japan’s Southwestern Islands. Flux measurements and turbulence properties were clearly divided by fetch condition or wind direction. Analysis of the footprint area and homogeneity indicated that air-sea fluxes over an upwind sea surface were observed in cases of approximately 30% for all observation periods. The bulk transfer (BT), eddy covariance (EC), and variance (VA) methods were used to evaluate air-sea fluxes. The general features of the estimated fluxes were similar. Averaged sensible heat flux of approximately 6 W m-2 was obtained by all three methods, and the latent heat fluxes were 92, 60, and 71 W m-2 by the BT, EC, and VA methods, respectively. Daily mean net radiation input RNET was 223 W m-2. The sea surface was a large energy sink during the observation period.
Large-Scale NH3 Observations toward the Galactic Star-Forming Regions I. W 51 Molecular Cloud Complex

Large-area observations of dense molecular gas were made in NH3 (J , K) = (1, 1), (2, 2), and (3, 3) inversion lines with 4: 0 5 resolution toward the molecular cloud complex of the W 51 region. The observations were a part of a NH3 survey of the Galactic star-forming regions using the Tomakomai 11-m radio telescope. NH3 (J , K) = (1, 1) and (2, 2) emission was detected in the W 51 A and B complexes, while the detection of (J , K) = (2, 2) emission was marginal in W 51 B. The rotation temperature was � 40 K in the central part of the W 51 A complex, while being � 20 K in the other positions. A weak correlation is found that the ortho-to-para ratio decreases with increasing the rotation temperature, the far-infrared luminosity and the index of the star-formation efficiency. This tendency is explained if star formation has continued for more than the time scale of the transformation between ortho- and para-NH3: active star formation on a large scale, such as the interaction of molecular clouds with a spiral arm, has made the molecular gas warmer, even in a scale of � 10 pc, and the proceeding transformation has made the ortho-to-para ratio lower.
A mixed-methods approach to understand university students’ perceived impact of returning to class during COVID-19 on their mental and general health

Purpose This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of mental and general health symptoms among university students attending in-person and online classes during COVID-19. We also explored their experiences returning to in-person classes and their views on the university’s COVID-19-related policies. Methods In this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study (2020–2021), U.S. university student respondents (N = 1030; 603 women [58.5%], 907 [88.1%] aged 18–24 years) completed a quantitative, cross-sectional survey assessing their mental and general health symptoms experienced while taking classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey link was distributed through social media and email invitations. Three separate follow-up focus groups (n = 27), consisting of an average of nine focus group respondents who had completed the quantitative survey per group, were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Focus group respondents provided qualitative responses on their experiences returning to class during COVID-19 and adhering to COVID-19-related policies. Results The prevalence of mental health symptoms among survey respondents were 57.6% (n = 593) for depression, 41.5% (n = 427) for anxiety, and 40.8% (n = 420) for stress. Over 90% of respondents reported perceptions of good general health. Female respondents and respondents identified as non-binary gender had an increased risk for mental health symptoms compared to male respondents. Respondents with preexisting medical conditions had an increased risk for worse general health. Themes identified through qualitative analysis included (1) attending class during COVID-19 is associated with unhealthy behaviors, and poor health, (2) perceived challenges of online learning and increased feelings of isolation, (3) demand for COVID-19 policy reform and greater transparency of COVID-19 statistics; (4) difficulties in adhering to COVID-19 policies; and (5) concerns about acquiring and transmitting COVID-19. Conclusions Our findings indicate that university students attending classes during the pandemic are experiencing negative mental health impacts. Although students were aware of COVID-19-related policies, many found it challenging to comply. Broad acceptance of COVID-19 policies will require greater transparency and information sharing.
Confidence intervals and sample size planning for optimal cutpoints

Various methods are available to determine optimal cutpoints for diagnostic measures. Unfortunately, many authors fail to report the precision at which these optimal cutpoints are being estimated and use sample sizes that are not suitable to achieve an adequate precision. The aim of the present study is to evaluate methods to estimate the variance of cutpoint estimations based on published descriptive statistics (‘post-hoc’) and to discuss sample size planning for estimating cutpoints. We performed a simulation study using widely-used methods to optimize the Youden index (empirical, normal, and transformed normal method) and three methods to determine confidence intervals (the delta method, the parametric bootstrap, and the nonparametric bootstrap). We found that both the delta method and the parametric bootstrap are suitable for post-hoc calculation of confidence intervals, depending on the sample size, the distribution of marker values, and the correctness of model assumptions. On average, the parametric bootstrap in combination with normal-theory-based cutpoint estimation has the best coverage. The delta method performs very well for normally distributed data, except in small samples, and is computationally more efficient. Obviously, not every combination of distributions, cutpoint optimization methods, and optimized metrics can be simulated and a lot of the literature is concerned specifically with cutpoints and confidence intervals for the Youden index. This complicates sample size planning for studies that estimate optimal cutpoints. As a practical tool, we introduce a web-application that allows for running simulations of width and coverage of confidence intervals using the percentile bootstrap with various distributions and cutpoint optimization methods.
Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells with A Single Tet-Off Lentiviral Vector System

Objective Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hASC) constitute an attractive source of stem cells for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering as they are easy to acquire from lipoaspirate, expansion, and genetic modification ex vivo. The combination of Pdx-1, MafA, and NeuroD1 has been indicated to possess the ability to reprogram various types of cells into insulin-producing cells. The aim of this study is to investigate whether MafA and NeuroD1 would cooperate with Pdx-1 in the differentiation of hASC into insulin-producing cells. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, we generated polycistronic expression vectors expressing Pdx1 and MafA/NeuroD1 with a reporter from a human EF-1α promoter using 2A peptides in a single tet-off lentiviral vector system. Briefly, hASC were transduced with the lentiviral vectors and allowed to differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro and in vivo. Thereafter, RNA expression, dithizone staining, and immunofluorescent analysis were conducted. Results Cleaved transcriptional factors from a single tet-off lentiviral vector were functionally equivalent to their native proteins and strictly regulated by doxycycline (Dox). Insulin gene expression in hASC transduced with Pdx1, Pdx1/ MafA, and Pdx1/NeuroD1 in differentiation medium were successfully increased by 1.89 ± 0.39, 4.81 ± 0.98, 5.51 ± 0.63, respectively, compared to venus-transduced, control hASC. These cells could form dithizone-positive cell clusters in vitro and were found to express insulin in vivo. Conclusion Using our single tet-off lentiviral vector system, Pdx-1 and MafA/NeuroD1 could be simultaneously expressed in the absence of Dox. Further, this system allowed the differentiation of hASC into insulin-producing cells.
Decadal-scale progression of Dansgaard-Oeschger warming events

Abstract. During the last glacial period, proxy records throughout the Northern Hemisphere document a succession of rapid millennial-scale warming events, called Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events. A range of different mechanisms have been proposed that can produce similar warming in model experiments, however the progression and ultimate trigger of the events is still unknown. Because of their fast nature, the progression is challenging to reconstruct from paleoclimate data due to the limited temporal resolution achievable in many archives and cross-dating uncertainties between records. Here we use new high-resolution multi-proxy records of sea-salt (derived from sea spray and sea ice over the North Atlantic) and terrestrial (derived from the Central Asian deserts) aerosol concentrations over the period 10–60 ka from the Greenland NGRIP and NEEM ice cores in conjunction with local precipitation and temperature proxies from one of the cores to investigate the progression of environmental changes at the onset of the warming events at annual to multi-annual resolution. Our results show on average a small lead of the changes in both local precipitation and terrestrial dust aerosol concentrations over the change in sea-salt aerosol concentrations and local temperature of approximately one decade. This suggests that, connected to the reinvigoration of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and the warming in the North Atlantic, both synoptic and hemispheric atmospheric circulation change at the onset of the DO warming, affecting both the moisture transport to Greenland and the Asian monsoon systems. Taken at face value, this suggests that a collapse of the sea-ice cover was not the initial trigger for the DO events.
Importance of feeding status evaluation in older patients undergoing hemodialysis

Older hospitalized patients undergoing hemodialysis are increasingly experiencing malnutrition caused by dysphagia. However, only a few studies have focused on this problem. We used the Kuchikara Taberu Balance Chart (KTBC) to evaluate the patients’ feeding status and examined its association with their nutritional status and prognosis. This study included elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis who were hospitalized at Nagasaki Renal Center for > 3 days between June 2021 and February 2022. In total, 82 inpatients were included [mean age, 73.4 ± 10.0 years; men, 57.3%; median dialysis vintage, 79.0 months (interquartile range, 37.3–164.8)]. We classified patients with lower than the median KTBC score (57 points) as being at risk for dysphagia; 37 patients (45.1%) were at risk for dysphagia. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ) elucidated that the KTBC total score was significantly associated with each nutritional indicator [serum albumin level (ρ = 0.505, p < 0.001); geriatric nutritional risk index (ρ = 0.600, p < 0.001); and nutritional risk index (ρ = -0.566, p < 0.001)]. The KTBC score was also closely associated with the body mass index (ρ = 0.228, p = 0.04). Patients with a lower KTBC score showed poor prognosis (log-rank test: p = 0.001), and age- and sex-adjusted Cox proportional analysis showed that the KTBC score was associated with life prognosis (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidential interval, 0.86–0.94; p < 0.001). Therefore, we concluded that the patients at risk of dysphagia, identified using the KTBC score, were malnourished and had a poor prognosis. Hence, the evaluation of dysphagia using the KTBC is encouraged to prevent malnutrition in vulnerable older patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Usability and acceptance of a mobile health wallet for pregnancy-related healthcare: A mixed methods study on stakeholders’ perceptions in central Madagascar

Background Several sub-Saharan African countries use digital financial services to improve health financing, especially for maternal and child health. In cooperation with the Malagasy Ministry of Health, the NGO Doctors for Madagascar is implementing a mobile health wallet for maternal health care in public-sector health facilities in Madagascar. Our aim was to explore the enabling and limiting factors related to the usability and acceptance of the Mobile Maternal Health Wallet (MMHW) intervention during its implementation. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed methods study with mothers and pregnant women and facility- (FBHWs) and community-based (CHWs) health workers from public-sector health facilities in three districts of the Analamanga region in Madagascar. We used a convergent design in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. We performed one-stage proportional sampling of women who had signed up for the MMHW. All FBHWs and CHWs at primary care facilities in the intervention area were eligible to participate. Results and significance 314 women, 76 FBHWs, and 52 CHWs were included in the quantitative survey. Qualitative data were extracted from in-depth interviews with 12 women and 12 FBHWs and from six focus group discussions with 39 CHWSs. The MMHW intervention was accepted and used by health workers and women from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Main motivations for women to enroll in the intervention were the opportunity to save money for health (30.6%), electronic vouchers for antenatal ultrasound (30.2%), and bonus payments upon reaching a savings goal (27.9%). Main motivation for health workers was enabling pregnant women to save for health, thus encouraging facility-based deliveries (57.9%). Performance-based payments had low motivational value for health workers. Key facilitators were community sensitization, strong women-health worker relationship, decision making at the household level, and repetitive training on the use of the MMHW. Key barriers included limited phone ownership, low level of digital literacy, disinformation concerning the effects of the intervention, and technical problems like slow payout processes.
Cytotoxicity effects of nanohybrid, bulk-fill, and ormocer composites on dental pulp stem cells and human gingival fibroblast cells

Background: Despite significant improvements in the physical and esthetic properties of modern composite resins, there are still concerns about their biocompatibility. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the toxicity of X-tra fil, Grandio, and Admira Fusion composites on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 48 composite disks were made using Grandio, Admira Fusion (2 mm high and 4 mm in diameter), and X-tra fil (4 mm high and 4 mm in diameter) composites and cured for 40 s. The composite blocks were then crushed with a sterile mortar and dissolved in phosphate saline buffer solution. Tetrazolium salt (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT_, neutral red (NR) assay, flow cytometry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests (n = 5) were used to evaluate the toxicity of the composites on two cell types (HGF, DPSCs). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Newman–Keuls test. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: According to the results of MTT test, only Grandio showed a significant cytotoxicity in DPSCs, but in HGF cells, Grandio and X-tra fil both showed a significant cytotoxicity. In NR test, Grandio and X-tra fil composites showed a significant cytotoxicity on both HGF and DPSC cells. RT-PCR test results on both DPSC and HGF cells indicated that bax gene expression in the Grandio composite was significant. In this test, the nonexpression of the bcl2 gene in DPSCs was significant in Grandio (100 and 200 μg/ml) and in X-tra fil (200 μg/ml). All of the tests performed in this study showed no significant toxicity of Admira fusion. Conclusion: Admira Fusion is suitable for oral cells in terms of biocompatibility and can be used as a suitable restorative material for deep restorations near the pulp or adjacent to the gums.
The Type 2 Asthma Mediator IL-13 Inhibits Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection of Bronchial Epithelium

Asthma is associated with chronic changes in the airway epithelium, a key target of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Many epithelial changes, including goblet cell metaplasia, are driven by the type 2 cytokine IL-13, but the effects of IL-13 on SARS-CoV-2 infection are unknown. We found that IL-13 stimulation of differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) cultured at air–liquid interface reduced viral RNA recovered from SARS-CoV-2–infected cells and decreased double-stranded RNA, a marker of viral replication, to below the limit of detection in our assay. An intact mucus gel reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection of unstimulated cells, but neither a mucus gel nor SPDEF, which is required for goblet cell metaplasia, were required for the antiviral effects of IL-13. Bulk RNA sequencing revealed that IL-13 regulated 41 of 332 (12%) mRNAs encoding SARS-CoV-2–associated proteins that were detected in HBECs (>1.5-fold change; false discovery rate < 0.05). Although both IL-13 and IFN-α each inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection, their transcriptional effects differed markedly. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed cell type–specific differences in SARS-CoV-2–associated gene expression and IL-13 responses. Many IL-13–induced gene expression changes were seen in airway epithelium from individuals with type 2 asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. IL-13 effects on airway epithelial cells may protect individuals with type 2 asthma from COVID-19 and could lead to identification of novel strategies for reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Efficacy and Safety of Sugammadex to Shorten Time-to-Extubation Following Cardiac Surgery: A Single-Center Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES: Residual neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is an important and modifiable factor associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. Studies evaluating the use of sugammadex for residual NMB reversal in the post-cardiac surgery ICU setting are lacking. We conducted a randomized trial to determine the efficacy of sugammadex in reducing time to extubation in patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery. DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: University-based cardiothoracic ICU. SUBJECTS: Patients (n = 90) undergoing elective aortic valve replacement (AVR) and/or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive either sugammadex (2 mg/kg) or placebo after arrival to the ICU. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary study endpoint was time from study drug administration to extubation. Of the 90 patients included in the study (45 in each group), a total of 68 patients underwent CABG, 13 AVR, and nine combined AVR and CABG. Baseline characteristics and intraoperative anesthetic medications were comparable between groups. Patients in sugammadex group had reduced time to extubation compared with the placebo group (median [interquartile range (IQR)]—sugammadex group: 126.0 min [84.0–274.0 min] vs placebo: 219.0 min [121.0–323.0 min]; difference in means [95% CI], 72.8 [1.5-144.1 min]; p = 0.01. There were no differences in negative inspiratory force (mean [sd]—sugammadex group: 33.79 cm H2O [8.39 cm H2O] vs placebo: –31.11 cm H2O [7.17 cm H2O]) and vital capacity (median [IQR]—sugammadex group: 1.1 L [0.9–1.3 L] vs placebo: 1.0 L [0.9–1.2 L]). There were no differences between groups in postoperative blood product requirement, dysrhythmias, length of ICU, or hospital stay. There were no serious adverse events in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized trial showed that the administration of sugammadex after cardiac surgery decreased time to extubation by approximately 1 hour. Larger trials may be required to confirm these findings and determine the clinical implications.
Extended salvage surgery after high-dose chemoradiation therapy for tumors in the cervico-thoracic junction with invasion of the chest wall and the spine: a case series

Abstract The treatment of malignant tumors localized in the upper thoracic cavity and involving the spine at the cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ) is challenging. We report on three patients with malignant tumors invading the thoracic inlet and the spine at the CTJ. All three patients underwent radical tumor resection and 360° spine fusion following the posterior pedicle screw instrumentation and anterior vertebrectomy combined with implantation of an expandable titanium cage. Postoperatively, a mild paresis with hypesthesia of the ipsilateral arm occurred in one patient because of brachial plexus involvement. Two patients were still alive at last follow-up after 83 and 143 months, the third patient succumbed to tumor progression 13 months after extended salvage surgery. We display the possibilities of extended ‘salvage’ therapy in well-selected patients that were deemed hopeless regarding neurological function, biomechanical stability and tumor control after multiple courses of combined radio-chemotherapy.
Nonparametric regression estimation of conditional tails: the random covariate case

We present families of nonparametric estimators for the conditional tail index of a Pareto-type distribution in the presence of random covariates. These families are constructed from locally weighted sums of power transformations of excesses over a high threshold. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are derived under some assumptions on the conditional response distribution, the weight function and the density function of the covariates. We also introduce bias-corrected versions of the estimators for the conditional tail index, and propose in this context a consistent estimator for the second-order tail parameter. The finite sample performance of some specific examples from our classes of estimators is illustrated with a small simulation experiment.