Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exact Bayesian Prediction of Exponential Lifetime Based on Fixed and Random Sample Sizes

Abstract We consider the problem of predictive intervals for future observations from an exponential distribution. We consider the following two cases: (i) fixed sample size (FSS), and (ii) random sample size (RSS). Further, we derive the predictive function for both FSS and RSS in closed forms. Next, the upper and lower 1%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% critical points for the predictive functions are calculated. To show the usefulness of our results, we present some simulation examples. Finally, we apply our results to some real data sets in life testing given in Lawless [16].
A retrospective study of the long-term survival of RESTORE® dental implants with resorbable blast media surface

Purpose The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the survival and failure rates of RESTORE® implants over a follow-up period of 10–15 years at a university dental hospital and to investigate the factors affecting the survival rate of these dental implants. Methods A total of 247 RESTORE® dental implants with a resorbable blast media (RBM) surface inserted in 86 patients between March 2006 and April 2011 at the Department of Periodontology of Seoul National University Dental Hospital were included. Patients with follow-up periods of less than 10 years were excluded, and data analysis was conducted based on dental records and radiographs. Results Over a 10- to 15-year period, the cumulative survival rate of the implants was 92.5%. Seventeen implants (6.88%) were explanted due to implant fracture (n=10, 4.05%), peri-implantitis (n=6, 2.43%), and screw fracture (n=1, 0.4%). The results of univariate regression analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that implants placed in male patients (hazard ratio [HR], 4.542; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.305–15.807; P=0.017) and implants that supported removable prostheses (HR, 15.498; 95% CI, 3.105–77.357; P=0.001) showed statistically significant associations with implant failure. Conclusions Within the limitations of this retrospective study, the RESTORE® dental implant with an RBM surface has a favorable survival rate with stable clinical outcomes.
Trends and variability of total column ozone in the Third Pole

The Hindu Kush Himalaya and Tien Shan Mountain regions together are called the Third Pole (TP) of Earth, which encompasses ecologically fragile regions of 12 Asian countries. It is the highest mountain chain with the largest reserve of fresh ice mass on the planet outside the northern and southern polar regions. The TP region is experiencing high rate of glacier melting due to climate change for the past few decades, and is a great concern for water security of South Asia. Since changes in ozone concentrations in the atmosphere affect public health, ecosystem dynamics and climate, it is imperative to monitor its temporal evolution in an ecologically sensitive region such as TP. Here, the spatiotemporal characteristics of total column ozone (TCO) in TP and 20 selected cities in and around TP are investigated using a combined long-term data made from the satellite measurements of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME)-2B for the period 2005–2020. The spatial trends in TCO over TP are mostly negative in summer and autumn (from −0.2 DU/yr to −0.6 DU/yr), but positive in winter (up to +0.2 DU/yr). Among the selected 20 urban regions, the highest annual trend −0.42 ± 0.3 DU/yr and the lowest −0.01 ± 0.2 DU/yr are estimated in Xining and Chittagong, respectively. Analysis using a multiple regression model reveals that the ozone variability in TP is mostly driven by tropopause height with a contribution of 24.92%, Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (23.42%), aerosols (16.12%) and solar flux (15.34%). Our study suggests that the observed negative trend is mainly associated with human activities and climate change in TP, which would likely to enhance the surface temperature and thus, melting of glaciers in the region.
The Association Between Learning Styles, Time Management Skills and Pharmacology Academic Performance Among First Year Medical Students in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The scientific understanding gained from pharmacology investigations is used to support a wide range of medical therapies. As a result, pharmacology is essential in medicine. As a result of the coronavirus epidemic, several colleges throughout the world have resorted to online pharmacology learning, which has an indirect impact on student academic progress. Aside from learning styles, a student’s time management abilities are another essential aspect that affects their academic success. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that employed a questionnaire to assess first-year medical students from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ learning style and time management skills. A series of pharmacological questions involving short answer questions was also given to the students to assess their pharmacology performance. Results: There was a significant weak negative correlation between superficial learning style and pharmacology performance (r=-0.272, p<.05). There was also a significant weak correlation between deep learning style and long range planning (r=0.256, p<.05) and including short range planning (r=0.263, p<0.5). Lastly, significant weak negative correlation on pharmacology performance and long range planning was seen (r=0.256, p<.05). However, there was no significant correlation between time management and pharmacology performance. Conclusion: Students that use a superficial learning style struggle in school, yet deep learning styles in both short and long term planning do not always increase pharmacology performance. A good time management skills does not guarantee a good pharmacology performance either. Other relevant factors, like as socio-demographic characteristics, that may contribute to this outcome, particularly during this epidemic, should be investigated further.
Comparing the effectiveness of 2D and 3D features on predicting the response to chemotherapy for ovarian cancer patients

Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal malignancy in all kinds of gynecologic cancers, and radiomics based image marker is an effective tool for the early-stage prediction of the chemotherapies applied on ovarian cancer patients. This investigation aims to compare and evaluate the predicting performance of the 2D and 3D radiomics features. During the experiment, the tumors were first segmented from the CT slices, based on which a total of 1032 2D radiomics features and 1595 3D radiomics features were extracted. These features are related to tumor shape, density and texture properties. Next, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) feature selection method was adopted to determine optimal features clusters for 2D and 3D feature pools respectively, which were used as the input of support vector machine (SVM) based prediction models. During the experiment, a total of 99 cases were selected from a previously established dataset at our medical center. The model performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The results indicated that the 2D and 3D feature based models achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85±0.03 and 0.89±0.02, while the overall accuracies were 0.76 and 0.81 respectively. These results indicate that the overall performance of the 3D feature is higher than the 2D features. But the sensitivity of the 2D model is higher at some certain specificity range. This study initially reveals the difference between the 2D and 3D features, which should be meaningful for the optimization of the radiomics based clinical decision support tools.
A Review of Convection Initiation and Motivation for IHOP_2002

Abstract The International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) included four complementary research components: quantitative precipitation forecasting, convection initiation, atmospheric boundary layer processes, and instrumentation. This special issue introductory paper will review the current state of knowledge on surface-forced convection initiation and then describe some of the outstanding issues in convection initiation that partially motivated IHOP_2002. Subsequent papers in this special issue will illustrate the value of combining varied and complementary datasets to study convection initiation in order to address the outstanding issues discussed in this paper and new questions that arose from IHOP_2002 observations. The review will focus on convection initiation by boundaries that are prevalent in the U.S. southern Great Plains. Boundary layer circulations, which are sometimes precursors to deep convective development, are clearly observed by radar as reflectivity fine lines and/or convergence in Doppler velo.
Record statistics and persistence for a random walk with a drift

We study the statistics of records of a one-dimensional random walk of n steps, starting from the origin, and in the presence of a constant bias c. At each time step, the walker makes a random jump of length η drawn from a continuous distribution f(η), which is symmetric around a constant drift c. We focus in particular on the case where f(η) is a symmetric stable law with a Lévy index 0 < μ ⩽ 2. The record statistics crucially depends on the persistence probability, which, as we show here, exhibits different behaviors depending on the sign of c and the value of the parameter μ. Hence, in the limit of a large number of steps n, the record statistics is sensitive to these parameters (c and μ) of the jump distribution. We compute the asymptotic mean record number 〈Rn〉 after n steps as well as its full distribution P(R, n). We also compute the statistics of the ages of the longest and the shortest lasting record. Our exact computations show the existence of five distinct regions in the (c, 0 < μ ⩽ 2) strip where these quantities display qualitatively different behaviors. We also present numerical simulation results that verify our analytical predictions.
The Role of Traffic Volume on Sound Pressure Level Reduction before and during COVID-19 Lockdown Measures—A Case Study in Bochum, Germany

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, sound pressure levels (SPL) decreased because of lockdown measures all over the world. This study aims to describe SPL changes over varying lockdown measure timeframes and estimate the role of traffic on SPL variations. To account for different COVID-19 lockdown measures, the timeframe during the pandemic was segmented into four phases. To analyze the association between a-weighted decibels (dB(A)) and lockdown phases relative to the pre-lockdown timeframe, we calculated a linear mixed model, using 36,710 h of recording time. Regression coefficients depicting SPL changes were compared, while the model was subsequently adjusted for wind speed, rainfall, and traffic volume. The relative adjusted reduction of during pandemic phases to pre-pandemic levels ranged from −0.99 dB(A) (CI: −1.45; −0.53) to −0.25 dB(A) (CI: −0.96; 0.46). After controlling for traffic volume, we observed little to no reduction (−0.16 dB(A) (CI: −0.77; 0.45)) and even an increase of 0.75 dB(A) (CI: 0.18; 1.31) during the different lockdown phases. These results showcase the major role of traffic regarding the observed reduction. The findings can be useful in assessing measures to decrease noise pollution for necessary future population-based prevention.
Descriptive Assessment of Race, Ethnicity, Comorbidities, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection- Fatality in North Carolina

SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused variable clinical outcomes including hospitalization and death. We analyzed state-level data from the North Carolina COVID-19 Surveillance System (NC COVID) to describe demographics of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to describe factors associated with infection-fatality in North Carolina. This was a retrospective cohort study using surveillance data on positive SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals (N = 214,179) identified between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020. We present descriptive statistics and associations among demographics, medical comorbidities, and SARS-CoV-2 infection-fatality. Median age for residents with reported SARS-CoV-2 was 38 (IQR 23–54). Age was strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection-fatality. Greater infection-fatality was noted among those who identified as Black across all comorbidities. Coexisting chronic disease was associated with greater infection-fatality, with kidney disease demonstrating the strongest association. A high percentage of missing data for race/ethnicity and comorbidities limits the interpretation of our findings. Data were not available for socioeconomic measures that could aid in better understanding inequities associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection-fatality. Among North Carolinians identified with SARS-CoV-2 via surveillance efforts, age, race, and comorbidities were associated with infection-fatality; these findings are similar to those of studies using different source populations in the United States. In addition to age and other nonmodifiable variables, systematic differences in social conditions and opportunity may increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection-fatality among Black Americans compared to other races/ethnicities.
Methods of Visualizing the Results of an Artificial-Intelligence-Based Computer-Aided Detection System for Chest Radiographs: Effect on the Diagnostic Performance of Radiologists

It is unclear whether the visualization methods for artificial-intelligence-based computer-aided detection (AI-CAD) of chest radiographs influence the accuracy of readers’ interpretation. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of radiologists’ interpretations of chest radiographs using different visualization methods for the same AI-CAD. Initial chest radiographs of patients with acute respiratory symptoms were retrospectively collected. A commercialized AI-CAD using three different methods of visualizing was applied: (a) closed-line method, (b) heat map method, and (c) combined method. A reader test was conducted with five trainee radiologists over three interpretation sessions. In each session, the chest radiographs were interpreted using AI-CAD with one of the three visualization methods in random order. Examination-level sensitivity and accuracy, and lesion-level detection rates for clinically significant abnormalities were evaluated for the three visualization methods. The sensitivity (p = 0.007) and accuracy (p = 0.037) of the combined method are significantly higher than that of the closed-line method. Detection rates using the heat map method (p = 0.043) and the combined method (p = 0.004) are significantly higher than those using the closed-line method. The methods for visualizing AI-CAD results for chest radiographs influenced the performance of radiologists’ interpretations. Combining the closed-line and heat map methods for visualizing AI-CAD results led to the highest sensitivity and accuracy of radiologists.
Temporal Trend of Multimorbidity of Noncommunicable Diseases among Brazilian Adults, 2006–2021

We aimed to identify the temporal trend of multimorbidity of noncommunicable disease (NCDs) among Brazilian adults (n = 784,479) over a 16-year period of time. This is a time series of cross-sectional studies based on data from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) from 2006 to 2021. The presence of multimorbidity was assessed from the co-occurrence of (1) obesity and diabetes; (2) obesity and hypertension; and (3) obesity and diabetes and/or hypertension. Linear regression models (Prais–Winsten) were used to identify significant trends for the complete period (2006–2021) and the most recent quinquennium (2017–2021). Multimorbidity of obesity and diabetes and/or hypertension increased in the complete period (5.5% to 9.6%; 0.22 pp/year) and the most recent period (8.3% to 9.6%; 0.40 pp/year) studied. The highest increase occurred especially among men, older adults, and those with fewer years of education. Additionally, there was a high prevalence and an intense increase in multimorbidity among adults with poor self-rated health. These results reinforce the need for expanding and strengthening public health actions focused on individuals with multimorbidity especially with obesity.
Sex differences in functional brain networks involved in interoception: An fMRI study

Interoception can be described as the ability to perceive inner body sensations and it is different between biological sex. However, no previous research correlated this ability with brain functional connectivity (FC) between males and females. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate FC of networks involved in interoception among males and females in a sample of healthy volunteers matched for age. In total, 67 participants (34 females, mean age 44.2; 33 males, mean age 37.2) underwent a functional MRI session and completed the Self-Awareness Questionnaire (SAQ) that tests the interoceptive awareness. To assess the effect of sex on scores obtained on the SAQ we performed a multivariate analysis of variance. A whole-brain seed-to-seed FC analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between SAQ score and FC, and then to test differences in FC between males and females with SAQ score as a covariate. MANOVA revealed a significant difference in SAQ scores between males and females with higher values for the second ones. Also, significant correlations among interoception scores and FC in Salience network and fronto-temporo-parietal brain areas have been detected, with a sharp prevalence for the female. These results support the idea of a female advantage in the attention toward interoceptive sensations, suggesting common inter-network areas that concur to create the sense of self.
New Carbonate-Based Materials and Study of Cytotoxic Capacity in Cancer Cells

Calcium carbonate, one of the most commonly found biominerals produced by organisms, has shown great potential for the development of systems with biological applications due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and simple chemical composition. Here, we focus on the synthesis of various carbonate-based materials with vaterite phase control and their subsequent functionalization for applications in treating glioblastoma, one of the most limiting tumors currently without effective treatments. The incorporation of l-cysteine into the systems increased cell selectivity while the incorporation of manganese supplied the materials with cytotoxic capacity. Extensive characterization of the systems by infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the incorporation of the different fragments causing selectivity and cytotoxicity to the systems. To verify their therapeutic activity, the vaterite-based materials were tested in the CT2A cell line (murine glioma) and compared to SKBR3 (breast cancer) and HEK-293T (human kidney) cell lines. These studies on the cytotoxicity of the materials have shown promising results that can encourage future in vivo studies in glioblastoma models.
Retrospective Study of Thrombosis in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Rural North Carolina

Some patients with COVID-19 develop life-threatening thrombotic complications including myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and ischemic stroke. These inflammatory and hypercoagulable states have been well documented in patient cohorts from metropolitan areas, but not in more rural populations, nor has a data-driven treatment plan been developed for thrombotic COVID-19 patients. We undertook a retrospective case-control study of COVID-19-positive patients to analyze the impact of thrombosis on various clinical endpoints including terminal diagnosis and disease severity. Prevalence and impact of thrombosis were determined using medical records from 2237 COVID-19-positive patients hospitalized in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Odds ratios for terminal diagnosis, death, ICU admission, and ventilation were calculated based on thrombosis status, D-dimer level, or type of antithrombotic treatment. Terminal diagnosis [OR 1.81; 95% CI (1.10, 2.98)], ICU admission [2.25; (1.33, 3.81)], and ventilation [2.46; (1.45, 4.18)] were all more likely in thrombotic patients (N = 97) compared to nonthrombotic patients (N = 2140) after adjusting for age. D-dimer levels were associated with death overall, but not among thrombotic patients. Treatments that combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs appeared to be more efficacious than anticoagulants alone in preventing death and severe disease. Patient medical history prior to hospitalization was not evaluated. In this cohort, those with thrombosis are at increased risk for adverse outcomes including death and severe disease. Antithrombotic therapy that includes antiplatelet drugs provides improved outcomes. Higher-powered prospective trials will be necessary to confirm any potential merits of antiplatelet therapy.
Free core nutation: direct observations and resonance effects

The motion of Earth's spin axis in space is monitored by Very Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), and since 1994 also its rate is measured by Global Positioning System (GPS). The method of “combined smoothing”, developed recently at the Astronomical Institute in Prague enables one to combine both series. The solution, based on observations in 1979.6–2004.7, is compared with the recently adopted IAU2000 model of precession-nutation. The analysis reveals substantial residual offsets from the model. The dominant peak in frequency domain can be identified with Retrograde Free Core Nutation (RFCN), and we find also statistically significant deviations of several forced nutation terms. From the direct analysis of VLBI observations of celestial pole offsets from IAU2000 model of precession-nutation, it follows that the dominant period apparently grew from the average 435 days (VLBI observations in 1983.7–2004.7) to 460 days (VLBI/GPS combination in 1994.3–2004.6). A study of indirect determination of the RFCN period from the observed forced nutation terms through the resonance effects is presented, and the difference from the value found by direct analysis is discussed. It is demonstrated that the resonance approach does not confirm the apparent change of the period obtained from the direct analysis of observed celestial pole offsets; the resonance value is close to 430 solar days, and it seems to be very stable in time. The different value found from the direct analysis of observations can be probably ascribed to a small additional excitation by the atmosphere and/or ocean with retrograde terrestrial period around 23h 53min mean solar time.