Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributional properties of the statistic of online student evaluations the mean does not mean what you think it means

ABSTRACT Student Evaluations of Teaching (SETs) are an integral part of evaluating course outcomes. They are routinely used to evaluate teaching quality for the purposes of reappointment, promotion, and tenure (RPT), annual review, and the rehiring of adjunct faculty and lecturers. These evaluations are often based almost entirely on the mean or proportion of the ordinal overall score with no regard to statistical noise. This study examines the distribution of the statistic (mean or proportion) when SETs are administered online and in-person. Using non-parametric procedures, we show that the size of the 95% confidence interval of the statistic is a function of response rates. Prior to COVID-19, online administration of SETs resulted in significantly more uncertainty than in-person administration because the in-person response rates were higher. Due to a decrease in in-person response rates in the post-COVID vaccine period, both methods result in significant levels of uncertainty of the true statistic value. In classes of fewer than 30 students, the 95% confidence interval of the statistic is wide enough for instructors to be considered for a teaching award in one semester or below average in another semester, while holding teaching quality constant.
Factors Influencing Pharmacokinetics of Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Population Pharmacokinetic Models

Simple Summary Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Tamoxifen is the most preferred drug used to treat breast cancer. It has been reported that tamoxifen and its metabolites have significant variability in their pharmacokinetics. This systematic review identified five population pharmacokinetic model studies for tamoxifen. These studies were summarized, and various factors affecting tamoxifen’s and its metabolites pharmacokinetics have been reported in this review. Most studies reported a two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. Various factors, such as genetic variation, age, gender, BMI, co-medication, and postmenopausal status are reported to affect the disposition of tamoxifen and its metabolites. So, while addressing the pharmacokinetic variability of this drug, all these factors must be considered. These models should be externally evaluated to verify the model’s generalizability and for model-informed dosing in the clinical setup. Abstract Background: Tamoxifen is useful in managing breast cancer and it is reported to have significant variability in its pharmacokinetics. This review aimed to summarize reported population pharmacokinetics studies of tamoxifen and to identify the factors affecting the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen in adult breast cancer patients. Method: A systematic search was undertaken in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for papers published in the English language from inception to 20 August 2022. Studies were included in the review if the population pharmacokinetic modeling was based on non-linear mixed-effects modeling with a parametric approach for tamoxifen in breast cancer patients. Results: After initial selection, 671 records were taken for screening. A total of five studies were selected from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and by manual searching. The majority of the studies were two-compartment models with first-order absorption and elimination to describe tamoxifen and its metabolites’ disposition. The CYP2D6 phenotype and CYP3A4 genotype were the main covariates that affected the metabolism of tamoxifen and its metabolites. Other factors influencing the drug’s pharmacokinetics included age, co-medication, BMI, medication adherence, CYP2B6, and CYP2C19 genotype. Conclusion: The disposition of tamoxifen and its metabolites varies primarily due to the CYP2D6 phenotype and CYP3A4 genotype. However, other factors, such as anthropometric characteristics and menopausal status, should also be addressed when accounting for this variability. All these studies should be externally evaluated to assess their applicability in different populations and to use model-informed dosing in the clinical setting.
Catch per Unit Effort, Density and Size Distribution of the Oysters Pinctada capensis and Saccostrea cucullata (Class Bivalvea) on Inhaca Island, Southern Mozambique

Oysters are important resources for the daily diet, a source of economic income for many coastal communities and a delicacy for the tourism industry. In this study, the oysters (Pinctada capensis and Saccostrea cucullata) were investigated with the aim to assess the catch per unit effort, density and size composition. The study was conducted over a three-year period on Inhaca Island, Southern Mozambique. For both species, perception of fishery trends from collectors was carried out through habitat censuses and interviews. Transects, quadrats and daily fisheries catches approaches were used. Results show that P. capensis is the most exploited on the island. A total of 72.1% of respondents pointed that the oyster P. capensis is decreasing, due to excessive catching (75.4%) followed by natural death (24.6%), while 20.9% affirmed that the resource is stable and 7.0% are unaware about the resource trend. Oyster densities, sizes and catches per unit effort were higher in less accessible areas only for P. capensis. The present study provides valuable baseline information to recommend best practices to improve the exploitation, and access the need for introduction of aquaculture, towards the sustainable management and conservation of oysters, and ultimately to ameliorate people’s livelihoods.
Indentation of a double shearing dilatant granular material by a smooth rigid wedge

Presented herein is a complete solution to the normal plane strain indentation of a double shearing dilatant granular material by a smooth rigid wedge. The stress and velocity fields, resistance to penetration, and contact stress are compared with those of materials obeying (i) the incompressible double shearing theory, and (ii) the Mohr-Coulomb associated flow rule.
Are Renal Cell Carcinoma with Fibromyomatous Stroma (RCC-FMS) and Thyroid-like Follicular Carcinoma of the Kidney (TLFCK) Really Independent Variants?

Background: Renal cell carcinoma with fibromyomatous stroma (RCC-FMS) is a recent provisional entity already recognised in the 2016 WHO Classification of Cancer of the Urinary Tract and Male Genital Organs 4th Edition as renal cell carcinoma with (angio)leiomyomatous stroma, histologically defined as a tumour characterised by clear cells intertwined in a conspicuous vascular stroma. In the casuistry taken into consideration, another proposed variant, thyroid-like follicular carcinoma of the kidney (TLFCK), endowed with a morphology mimicking thyroid parenchyma, was examined. The aim of this work was to parse the theoretical system, experimental data and diagnostic impact of these new entities proposed in the field of renal neoplasms. Materials and Methods: An analysis of 120 cases of kidney tumours from the Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area at the University of Pisa was run. Subsequently, all samples were reassessed by two pathologists with expertise in uropathology, whose revaluation provided a histomorphological study combined with subsequent and coherent immunohistochemical analyses of CK7, CD10, CAIX, CK34betaE12, CD117, vimentin, TTF-1 and thyroglobulin. These analyses were performed using the Ventana Benchmark Automated Staining System (Ventana Medical Systems, Tucson, AZ, USA) and Ventana reagents. Results: On the one hand, the data, thus brought to light, did not show an immunohistochemical profile consistent with that proposed for RCC-FMS. However, it should be emphasised that the morphological background also unearthed a poor specificity for RCC-FMS. This was specifically due to a stromal component which was, in any case, evident, although characterised by a wide range of presentation, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This latter is, indeed, the reference background for this theorised variant. On the other hand, a thyroid-like pattern was highlighted in 11 cases, more specifically in 10 ccRCCs and in one oncocytoma, presenting itself as a type of neoplastic appearance rather than as the peculiar morphological pattern of a standalone cancer. Conclusions: In the light of these results, RCC-FMS and TLFCK appear to be more appropriately variants of already categorised neoplastic entities rather than new independent neoplasias.
Effects of Land Cover Change and Deforestation on Rainfall and Surface Temperature in New Capital City of Indonesia

Land cover change and deforestation have a significant impact on climate change. This study investigates the effect of land cover change and deforestation on surface temperatures and extreme rainfall in the New Capital City of Indonesia (IKN), particularly in Samboja and Sepaku Subdistricts, East Kalimantan Province. Land cover change and deforestation were analyzed from Landsat 5 TM, 7 ETM+, and 8 OLI satellite data during 2001-2020. Land cover is divided into four classes: built-up land, water bodies, vegetation, and agricultural area. Rainfall data were obtained from the Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) version 6 satellite, and extreme temperatures were taken from fifth-generation ECMWF reanalysis (ERA5) data. A significant decrease in vegetated land area is observed every year, followed by an increase in residential land and buildings (built-up area) and agricultural land. The highest rate of increase was observed in the area of ​​agricultural land. Such change is correlated with an increase in surface temperature in the IKN. The strongest correlation is shown by increased built-up area and agricultural land. The relationship between rainfall and land cover is weak, and the body of water shows a relatively strong relationship. The extreme number of very wet days (R95p), ​​consecutive dry days (CDD), and max 1-day precipitation (RX1day) rain index showed a decreasing trend during 2001-2020. However, the consecutive wet days (CWDs) index showed an increase. This needs to be a concern because consecutive precipitation extremes may cause more catastrophability than occasional extreme events.
SELF-SIMILAR COLONY MORPHOGENESIS BY BACTERIA AS THE EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF FRACTAL GROWTH BY A CELL POPULATION

Bacteria point inoculated onto the solid medium exert two-dimensional spreading growth on the surface. The colony morphologies are rich in diversity and depend on various biological and physico-chemical factors. Since it is easy to pursue the growth processes macro- and microscopically and to carry out experiments by controlling specific factors, precise experimental approaches to morphogenesis by living cells have now become possible. Several critical factors for self-similar morphogenesis were identified.
Effect of Heme Oxygenase-1 Depletion on Complement Regulatory Proteins Expression in the Rat

Heme oxygenase has been implicated in the regulation of various immune responses including complement activation. Using a transgenic rat model of HO-1 depletion, the present study assessed the effect of HO-1 absence on the expression of complement regulatory proteins: decay accelerating factor (DAF), CR1-related gene/protein Y (Crry) and CD59, which act to attenuate complement activation. Protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in kidney, liver, lung and spleen tissues. DAF protein was reduced in all tissues retrieved from rats lacking HO-1 (Hmox1−/−) apart from spleen tissue sections. Crry protein was also reduced, but only in Hmox1−/− kidney and liver tissue. C3b staining was augmented in the kidney and spleen from Hmox1−/− rats, suggesting that the decrease of DAF and Crry was sufficient to increase C3b deposition. The observations support an important role of HO-1 as a regulator of the complement system.
Risk assessment in biomedical laboratories – occupational safety and health aspects

Introduction: Laboratory personnel (LP) represent a high-risk group of healthcare workers for whom the primary laboratory environment and specific work activities are a major source of potential exposure to health hazards. This study aimed to evaluate the developed matrix and assess risk based on self-assessment. Methods: This multicenter, qualitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted on LP employed in biomedical laboratories. The respondents were divided into groups according to their territorial affiliation. The data collection tool used was a six-area questionnaire distributed online through a network of professional associations. For the risk assessment, a matrix was developed with scores ranging from 0 to 650, dividing the risk level into four categories. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The developed model combined the classification of risk and risk factors with a certainty of p < 0.001. The regression analysis showed that working conditions had the greatest influence on overall risk, followed by physical, biological, and physical hazards. Of the 640 respondents, the medium risk category was the highest in European Union (EU) countries (81.2%). Comparing the values in the high-risk category between the Bosnians and Herzegovinians (BiH) group and the Republic of Serbia, Republic of Northern Macedonia, and Montenegro (SCM) group with the EU group, a doubling (16.6%: 36.7%) and tripling (16.6%: 52.1%) of the proportion was found, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, 1.7% of the LPs from BiH fell into the high-risk category. Conclusions: The designed matrix provides a reliable basis for identifying risk predictors in the study population and can serve as a useful tool for conducting risk assessments in biomedical laboratories. The results of the risk assessment indicate significant differences between the studied groups and highlight the need for increased control of BiH workplaces through new regulatory requirements.
Estimating Missing Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperatures

Abstract Seven methods for estimating maximum and minimum temperatures were developed from the literature and other sources. These techniques include correlative and additive procedures based on the relationships between stations, as well as procedures based on within-station temperature relations. Selection of the most appropriate technique will depend on the ultimate purpose for which the data are to be used, the size of the gaps in the weather record, and the availability of data from other stations to include in the analysis. Within-and between-station methods were compared by looking at their relative abilities to predict “pseudo” missing data items from two groups of weather stations in northern and central Idaho. Between-station regression techniques generated significantly smaller errors when compared to the remaining methods. Application of one of the methods to stations in British Columbia that contain large gaps in weather records was also described.
A Deeper Insight into the Interfacial Behavior and Structural Properties of Mixed DPPC/POPC Monolayers: Implications for Respiratory Health

1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphorcholine (POPC) are important components in pulmonary surfactants (PSs), of which the relative content is related to lung compliance. Herein, the phase behavior and thermodynamic structure of mixed DPPC/POPC monolayers were studied to elucidate the intermolecular interaction between DPPC and POPC molecules. Surface pressure–molecular area isotherms demonstrated that POPC significantly affected the phase behavior of the lipid domain structure as a function of its concentration. The compression modulus of the mixed monolayers reduced with the increase in POPC proportion, which can be attributed to the intermolecular repulsion between DPPC and POPC. Brewster angle microscopy analysis showed that the ordered structure of the monolayers trended toward fluidization in the presence of POPC. Raman spectroscopy results revealed that the change in C–C skeleton stretching vibration was the main cause of the decrease in the monolayer packing density. These findings provide new insights into the role of different phospholipid components in the function of PS film at a molecular level, which can help us to understand the synergy effects of the proportional relationship between DPPC and POPC on the formation and progression of lung disease and provide some references for the synthesis of lung surfactants.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Optimization Studies of Polycaprolactone/Polylactic Acid/Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle/Orange Essential Oil Membranes for Biomedical Applications

The development of scaffolds for cell regeneration has increased because they must have adequate biocompatibility and mechanical properties to be applied in tissue engineering. In this sense, incorporating nanofillers or essential oils has allowed new architectures to promote cell proliferation and regeneration of new tissue. With this goal, we prepared four membranes based on polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs), and orange essential oil (OEO) by the drop-casting method. The preparation of TiO2-NPs followed the sol–gel process with spherical morphology and an average size of 13.39 nm ± 2.28 nm. The results show how the TiO2-NP properties predominate over the crystallization processes, reflected in the decreasing crystallinity percentage from 5.2% to 0.6% in the membranes. On the other hand, when OEO and TiO2-NPs are introduced into a membrane, they act synergistically due to the inclusion of highly conjugated thermostable molecules and the thermal properties of TiO2-NPs. Finally, incorporating OEO and TiO2-NPs promotes tissue regeneration due to the decrease in inflammatory infiltrate and the appearance of connective tissue. These results demonstrate the great potential for biomedical applications of the membranes prepared.
Selenium-Containing Agents Acting on Cancer—A New Hope?

Selenium-containing agents are more and more considered as an innovative potential treatment option for cancer. Light is shed not only on the considerable advancements made in understanding the complex biology and chemistry related to selenium-containing small molecules but also on Se-nanoparticles. Numerous Se-containing agents have been widely investigated in recent years in cancer therapy in relation to tumour development and dissemination, drug delivery, multidrug resistance (MDR) and immune system-related (anti)cancer effects. Despite numerous efforts, Se-agents apart from selenocysteine and selenomethionine have not yet reached clinical trials for cancer therapy. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise critical overview of the current state of the art in the development of highly potent target-specific Se-containing agents.
GENERALIZED THERMOELASTIC PROBLEM OF A THICK PLATE UNDER AXISYMMETRIC TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION

The two-dimensional problem of a thick plate whose lower and upper surfaces are traction free and subjected to a given axisymmetric temperature distribution is considered within the context of the theory of generalized thermoelasticity with one relaxation time. Potential functions together with Laplace and Hankel transform techniques are used to derive the solution in the transformed domain. The Hankel transforms are inverted analytically. The inversion of the Laplace transforms are carried out using the inversion formula of the transform together with Fourier expansion techniques. Numerical methods are used to accelerate the convergence of the resulting series and to evaluate the improper integrals involved to obtain the temperature and stress distributions in the physical domain. Analysis of wave propagation in the medium is presented. Numerical results are represented graphically and discussed. A comparison is made with the solution of the corresponding coupled problem.
Testing the Multiple Disadvantage Model of Health with Ethnic Asian Children: A Secondary Data Analysis

This study of ethnic Asian children in the United States asked whether their health exhibited relationship with any of six factors: social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, the health of their parents, their access to medical insurance, acculturation. The sample of 1350 ethnic Asian children was extracted from the 2018 National Survey of Children’s Health. Logistic regression results showed that these children’s excellent/very good/good health was associated positively with safe neighborhoods, family incomes, family cohesiveness, family support, and receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). In turn, health was associated negatively with single-mother households. Implications of the present results in terms of interventions promoting family support, TANF participation, safe neighborhoods, and professionals’ cultural competency are discussed.
Structural properties and bandgap bowing of ZnO1−xSx thin films deposited by reactive sputtering

A series of ZnO1−xSx films with 0⩽x⩽1.0 was deposited by radio-frequency reactive sputtering on different substrates. The structural characterization by x-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the films have wurtzite symmetry and correlated investigations of the layer composition by photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the lattice constant varies linearly with x. The composition dependence of the band gap energy in the ternary system was determined by optical transmission and the optical bowing parameter was found to be about 3eV.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE IMPACT LOCATION ON A PLATE USING WAVELETS

Abstract This paper presents an experimental method that has been developed for detecting flexural waves in plates by the use of piezoelectric films. The recorded signals are analysed by a ‘wavelet transform’ to determine arrival times of waves at different frequencies. These arrival times are used in conjunction with an optimisation to identify the location of the impact (i.e. the x - and y -coordinate of the source location). Also, the time lag between the instant of the impact and the recording of the signals together with the group velocity of the dispersive waves are specified. Close agreement is observed between the experimentally determined results and the exact solutions. This technique is a valuable method for identification of source locations that may be applied to problems related to in-service impact loading of structures, seismic data from earthquakes, and to acoustic emission signals from propagating cracks.