Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Attitude towards Probiotics among Dental Students and Teachers: A Cross-Sectional Survey

This cross-sectional survey assessed the knowledge of and the attitude towards probiotics of dental students and academics at Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia. Our questionnaire consisted of 15 questions divided into 3 sections: respondents’ sociodemographic data, knowledge on probiotics, and attitude towards probiotics. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Out of the 658 questionnaires distributed, a total of 239 questionnaires were completed by the undergraduates, yielding a response rate of 39.6%, and 54 by the teaching staff (response rate = 100%). Most students (53.6%) and teachers (55.5%) had a fair knowledge of probiotics (p = 0.3135). A vast majority of dental students (97.9%) and all teachers had a positive attitude towards probiotics, with higher mean scores among academics (p < 0.001). A positive weak correlation was found between knowledge and attitude (Spearman r = 0.17, p = 0.0027). The results obtained reveal the need for more evidence-based educational trainings for university teachers and a course on probiotics to be included in the curriculum for dental students.
Nonlinear response of Equatorial Western Pacific phytoplankton blooms to ‘double-dip’ La Niña events

Phytoplankton in the equatorial western Pacific tends to bloom during consecutive (‘double-dip’) La Niña events with nonlinear characteristics: extremely high chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations typically occur during the second-year La Niña events even when the associated SST anomalies are significantly weakened. Photosynthetically available radiation is found to have the strongest correlation with the equatorial western Pacific Chl-a fluctuations. However, barrier layer variation is critical in driving the strong bloom events seen in the second-year La Niña, which can be further explained by the nonlinear heat advection within the isothermal layer. To improve the current climate models’ performance in simulating the western Pacific phytoplankton bloom events, it is recommended that the influence of barrier layer should be better considered.
Central and peripheral refraction measured by a novel double-pass instrument

A novel double-pass instrument and its data analysis method for the measurement of central and peripheral refraction is presented and validated in a group of healthy subjects. The instrument acquires in-vivo, non-cycloplegic, double-pass, through-focus images of the eye’s central and peripheral point-spread function (PSF) using an infrared laser source, a tunable lens and a CMOS camera. The through-focus images were analyzed to determine defocus and astigmatism at 0° and 30° visual field. These values were compared to those obtained with a lab-based Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. The two instruments provided data showing good correlation at both eccentricities, particularly in the estimation of defocus.
Analysis of Immunophenotypic Changes during Ex Vivo Human Erythropoiesis and Its Application in the Study of Normal and Defective Erythropoiesis

Erythropoiesis is a highly regulated process and undergoes several genotypic and phenotypic changes during differentiation. The phenotypic changes can be evaluated using a combination of cell surface markers expressed at different cellular stages of erythropoiesis using FACS. However, limited studies are available on the in-depth phenotypic characterization of progenitors from human adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to red blood cells. Therefore, using a set of designed marker panels, in the current study we have kinetically characterized the hematopoietic, erythroid progenitors, and terminally differentiated erythroblasts ex vivo. Furthermore, the progenitor stages were explored for expression of CD117, CD31, CD41a, CD133, and CD45, along with known key markers CD36, CD71, CD105, and GPA. Additionally, we used these marker panels to study the stage-specific phenotypic changes regulated by the epigenetic regulator; Nuclear receptor binding SET Domain protein 1 (NSD1) during erythropoiesis and to study ineffective erythropoiesis in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) patients. Our immunophenotyping strategy can be used to sort and study erythroid-primed hematopoietic and erythroid precursors at specified time points and to study diseases resulting from erythroid dyspoiesis. Overall, the current study explores the in-depth kinetics of phenotypic changes occurring during human erythropoiesis and applies this strategy to study normal and defective erythropoiesis.
Water and energy budgets over hydrological basins on short and long timescales

Abstract. Quantifying regional water and energy fluxes much more accurately from observations is essential for assessing the capability of climate and Earth system models and their ability to simulate future change. This study uses satellite observations to produce monthly flux estimates for each component of the terrestrial water and energy budget over selected large river basins from 2002 to 2013. Prior to optimisation, the water budget residuals vary between 1.5 % and 35 % precipitation by basin, and the magnitude of the imbalance between the net radiation and the corresponding turbulent heat fluxes ranges between 1 and 12 W m−2 in the long-term average. In order to further assess these imbalances, a flux-inferred surface storage (Sfi) is used for both water and energy, based on integrating the flux observations. This exposes mismatches in seasonal water storage in addition to important inter-annual variability between GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) and the storage suggested by the other flux observations. Our optimisation ensures that the flux estimates are consistent with the total water storage changes from GRACE on short (monthly) and longer timescales, while also balancing a coupled long-term energy budget by using a sequential approach. All the flux adjustments made during the optimisation are small and within uncertainty estimates, using a χ2 test, and inter-annual variability from observations is retained. The optimisation also reduces formal uncertainties for individual flux components. When compared with results from the previous literature in basins such as the Mississippi, Congo, and Huang He rivers, our results show better agreement with GRACE variability and trends in each case.
In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Cancer Stemness as Prognostic Markers of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a highly aggressive cancer responsible for about 85% of kidney cancers. The majority of the incidentally detected renal masses are small and confined to the kidney; however, a significant number of patients initially present with progressive metastatic cancer succumb to the disease in a short time frame. High levels of expression of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) resulting in the downstream epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway and features of cancer stem cells (CSCs) leads to an aggressive and drug-resistant phenotype in ccRCC. In this paper, using data from in-house collected patient tumours and public domain datasets, we highlight EMT and CSC to be prominent players in ccRCC progression. Using these approaches of analysis, we show the development of multi-marker diagnostic and prognostic signatures, which may stratify high-risk patients likely to progress to metastatic disease. Abstract The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves the phenotypic transformation of cells from epithelial to mesenchymal status. The cells exhibiting EMT contain features of cancer stem cells (CSC), and the dual processes are responsible for progressive cancers. Activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) is fundamental to the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and their role in promoting EMT and CSCs is crucial for ccRCC tumour cell survival, disease progression, and metastatic spread. In this study, we explored the status of HIF genes and their downstream targets, EMT and CSC markers, by immunohistochemistry on in-house accrued ccRCC biopsies and adjacent non-tumorous tissues from patients undergoing partial or radical nephrectomy. In combination, we comprehensively analysed the expression of HIF genes and its downstream EMT and CSC-associated targets relevant to ccRCC by using publicly available datasets, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and the clinical proteome tumour analysis consortium (CPTAC). The aim was to search for novel biological prognostic markers that can stratify high-risk patients likely to experience metastatic disease. Using the above two approaches, we report the development of novel gene signatures that may help to identify patients at a high risk of developing metastatic and progressive disease.
Cramer–Rao lower bounds of SJNR estimation for BPSK- and QPSK-modulated signals

The Cramer–Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) for the data-aided signal-to-jamming-plus-noise ratio estimation of binary phase shift keying-modulated signal and quaternary phase shift keying-modulated signals are proposed. The lower bounds are derived under the condition of existing simultaneously jamming and additive white Gaussian noise in wireless channels. The effects of different jamming-to-jamming-plus-noise ratios, up-sampling rates and observation lengths on the derived CRLBs are examined. The simulation results show that the lower bounds are inversely proportional to the three factors mentioned above. The proposed CRLBs are illustrated with a special example of the CRLB for a signal-to-noise ratio estimation.
Interpretive Communities and Variable Literacies: The Functions of

ONE OF THE MOST ENGAGING VOLUMES yet published On I the subject of reading is the marvelous collection of pho tographs by Andr? Kert? sz titled simply, On Reading.1 Presented without commentary, this series of images of readers absorbed in apparently diverse materials, in both expected and unexpected contexts, is eloquent in its insistence that books and reading serve myriad purposes and functions for a wide variety of individuals. For that reason alone, this simple photographic essay provides an implicit but nonetheless profound commentary on some entrenched and familiar assumptions about literacy. By grouping together readers as different as the well-dressed man perched on a library ladder in a book-lined study and the ragged young boy sprawled across a pile of discarded newspapers in the street, Kert? sz is able to suggest that whatever the differences and merits of the materials they peruse, all are engaged in some form of the engrossing behavior through which print is transformed into a world.2 The very inclusiveness of the series equalizes readers and reading processes that would, in other contexts, be ranked hierar chically on an imaginary literacy scale. On that scale, the grade of
The Big Chill? How Journalists and Sources Perceive and Respond to Fake News Laws in Indonesia and Singapore

ABSTRACT Media freedom has deteriorated across the world over the past 15 years with populist leaders attacking journalism in both democratic and repressive states. Since the rise of online misinformation and disinformation, concern is growing that governments are using fake news language and related laws to muzzle the press. Studies find labelling reporters and their stories as fake news can threaten journalistic norms and practices and have implications for trust relationships with sources and audiences. Less understood is the effects of fake news laws on journalism. This article addresses this gap and examines consequences for journalistic practices in Singapore and Indonesia when journalists and sources are targets of fake news laws. Through 20 in-depth expert interviews with journalists, editors, their sources and fake news experts in Indonesia and Singapore, the article identifies “chill effects” on reporting when faced with the threat of new legal sanctions. However, it also identifies adaptations to newsroom practices to manage this threat. We conclude with lessons learned from the Asia Pacific on how journalists in other jurisdictions might manage the potential chilling effects on news reporting when fake news laws are in place.
Modelling the Extraneous Variance in the Presence of Extra‐Binomial Variation

Two widely used methods for fitting proportions exhibiting extra‐binomial variation are maximum likelihood under a beta‐binomial model and a moment method based on the structure of the mean and variance. Both of these methods are extended to allow modelling the extra‐binomial component of the variance as a function of the mean. The methods are illustrated using a set of chromosome aberration data.
Stochastic bounds for heterogeneous-server queues with Erlang service times

This paper establishes stochastic bounds for the phasal departure times of a heterogeneous-server queue with a recurrent input and Erlang service times. The multi-server queue is bounded by a simple GI/E/1 queue. When the shape parameters of the Erlang service-time distributions of different servers are the same, these relations yield two-sided bounds for customer waiting times and the queue length, which can in turn be used with known results for single-server queues to obtain characterizations of steady-state distributions and heavy-traffic approximations.
COMPLETE CLASSIFICATION OF GLOBAL DYNAMICS OF A VIRUS MODEL WITH IMMUNE RESPONSES

A virus dynamics model for HIV or HBV is studied, which incorporates saturation effects of immune responses and an intracellular time delay. With the aid of persistence theory and Liapunov method, it is shown that the global stability of the model is totally determined by the reproductive numbers for viral infection, for CTL immune response, for antibody immune response, for antibody invasion and for CTL immune invasion. The results preclude the complicated behaviors such as the backward bifurcations and Hopf bifurcations which may be induced by saturation factors and a time delay.
Wind Variability--An Indicator for a Mesoclimatic Change in Israel.

Abstract It is shown that the normalized diurnal and interdiurnal surface wind variabilities have a clear decreasing trend in central-southern Israel for the last three decades. This trend is found in the surface data of the independent time series of three meteorological stations in this area. It is suggested that this change indicates a mesoscale modification of climate which is induced by the agricultural development and settlement of the central to southern part of Israel in the recent decades. The decreasing trend becomes particularly strong during the 1960s and this is correlated to the enhanced irrigational effects due to the starting-up of the National Water System in 1964. It is proposed that the region may have gone through a similar but reversed mechanism to that of the desertification process (reversed desertification! ) that was largely investigated in association with the Sahel zone drought.
Journalists on a Journey: Towards Responsible Media on Transgender Participation in Sport

ABSTRACT This paper draws upon interviews to reveal how a small minority of journalists are working towards more ethical approaches to representing transgender participation in sport. Writing in a context of a growing transphobic discourse in both the mainstream media and public sentiment, we examine the learning journeys of six sport journalists reporting on transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard’s participation in the Tokyo Olympic Games. The paper reveals variable reflexive considerations; ongoing efforts to educate themselves, colleagues and readers; varying levels of care in sourcing practices (i.e., members of the transgender community; scientists and anti-trans groups); and considerations about their responsibilities amidst rising transphobic discourse and online abuse. Engaging with recent writings on journalistic ethics and reflection-in-practice, this paper offers an example of the possibilities for more reflexive and responsible reporting on issues of social and political importance.
Tracheal Resection for Critical Airway Obstruction in Morquio A Syndrome

Introduction The primary cause of death in Morquio A syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA) is airway obstruction, brought about by an inexorable and pathognomonic multilevel airway tortuosity, buckling, and obstruction. The relative pathophysiological contributions of an inherent cartilage processing defect versus a mismatch in longitudinal growth between the trachea and the thoracic cage are currently a subject of debate. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and multidisciplinary management continue to improve life expectancy for Morquio A patients by slowing many of the multisystem pathological consequences of the disease but are not as effective at reversing established pathology. An urgent need has developed to consider alternatives to palliation of progressive tracheal obstruction to preserve and maintain these patients' hard-won good quality of life, as well as to facilitate spinal and other required surgery. Case Report. Following multidisciplinary discussion, transcervical tracheal resection with limited manubriectomy was successfully performed, without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, in an adolescent male on ERT with the severe airway manifestations of Morquio A syndrome. His trachea was found to be under significant compressive forces at surgery. On histology, chondrocyte lacunae appeared enlarged, but intracellular lysosomal staining and extracellular glycosaminoglycan staining was comparable to control trachea. At 12 months, this has resulted in a significant improvement in respiratory and functional status, with corresponding enhancement to his quality of life. Conclusion This addressing of tracheal/thoracic cage dimension mismatch represents a novel surgical treatment approach to an existing clinical paradigm and may be useful for other carefully selected individuals with MPS IVA. Further work is needed to better understand the role and optimal timing of tracheal resection within this patient cohort so as to individually balance considerable surgical and anaesthetic risks against the potential symptomatic and life expectancy benefits.
Raman Lidar Measurements during the International H2O Project. Part II: Case Studies

Abstract The NASA GSFC Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) participated in the International H2O Project (IHOP) that occurred in May and June 2002 in the midwestern part of the United States. The SRL system configuration and methods of data analysis were described in Part I of this paper. In this second part, comparisons of SRL water vapor measurements and those of Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE) airborne water vapor lidar and chilled-mirror radiosonde are performed. Two case studies are then presented: one for daytime and one for nighttime. The daytime case study is of a convectively driven boundary layer event and is used to characterize the daytime SRL water vapor random error characteristics. The nighttime case study is of a thunderstorm-generated cirrus cloud case that is studied in its meteorological context. Upper-tropospheric humidification due to precipitation from the cirrus cloud is quantified as is the cirrus cloud optical depth, extinction-to-backscatter ratio, ice water content, cirrus pa.
Study of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Temperature Based on Silicon Carbide Etching

In order to further understand the excitation process of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and improve the etching efficiency of silicon carbide (SiC), the effect of temperature and atmospheric pressure on plasma etching of silicon carbide was investigated. Based on the infrared temperature measurement method, the temperature of the plasma reaction region was measured. The single factor method was used to study the effect of the working gas flow rate and the RF power on the plasma region temperature. Fixed-point processing of SiC wafers analyzes the effect of plasma region temperature on the etching rate. The experimental results showed that the plasma temperature increased with increasing Ar gas until it reached the maximum value at 15 slm and decreased with increasing flow rate; the plasma temperature increased with a CF4 flow rate from 0 to 45 sccm until the temperature stabilized when the flow rate reached 45 sccm. The higher the RF power, the higher the plasma region’s temperature. The higher the plasma region temperature, the faster the etching rate and the more pronounced the effect on the non-linear effect of the removal function. Therefore, it can be determined that for ICP processing-based chemical reactions, the increase in plasma reaction region temperature leads to a faster SiC etching rate. By processing the dwell time in sections, the nonlinear effect caused by the heat accumulation on the component surface is effectively improved.
Effects Caused by Varying the Strength of the Capping Inversion Based on a Large Eddy Simulation Model of the Shear-Free Convective Boundary Layer

Abstract Effects caused by variation of the potential temperature lapse rate Γ in the free atmosphere are examined based on a “large eddy simulation” model of the shear-free convective atmospheric boundary layer. The obtained results show that only near the top of the boundary layer are the statistical moments involving temperature strongly sensitive to changes of the parameter Γ. Furthermore, the moments involving only the vertical velocity are practically independent of Γ. The ratio R of the heat fluxes at the top and the bottom of the mixed layer increases when Γ increases. For the values of Γ from 1 to 10 K/km, typically observed in the atmosphere, the heat flux ratio R varies in the range −0.2 to −0.3. When Γ increases by an order of magnitude to 100 K/km, R increases only slightly to about −0.4. When Γ decreases to zero, the heat flux Hi, at the top of the mixed layer also decreases to zero. In this case, the thermal structure of the atmospheric boundary layer is found to be similar to nonpenetrativ.
OPTIMAL DIVIDEND–REINSURANCE WITH TWO TYPES OF PREMIUM PRINCIPLES

A combined optimal dividend/reinsurance problem with two types of insurance claims, namely the expected premium principle and the variance premium principle, is discussed. Dividend payments are considered with both fixed and proportional transaction costs. The objective of an insurer is to determine an optimal dividend–reinsurance policy so as to maximize the expected total value of discounted dividend payments to shareholders up to ruin time. The problem is formulated as an optimal regular-impulse control problem. Closed-form solutions for the value function and optimal dividend–reinsurance strategy are obtained in some particular cases. Finally, some numerical analysis is given to illustrate the effects of safety loading on optimal reinsurance strategy.
A Recent Approach Incorporating External Forces To Predict Nonstationary Processes

Abstract Most real-world time series have some degree of nonstationarity due to external perturbations of the observed system; external driving forces are the essential reason that leads to the nonstationarity of dynamics system. In this paper, the authors present a novel technique in which the authors incorporate external forces to predict nonstationary time series. To test the effect, the authors also examined two prediction experiments with an ideal time series from a logistic map and a proxy climate dataset for the past millennium. The preliminary results show that the resulting algorithm has better predictive ability than the one that does not consider the external forces.