Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The regression dilemma

A substantial fraction of the statistical analyses and in particular statistical computing is done under the heading of multiple linear regression. That is the fitting of equations to multivariate data using the least squares technique for estimating parameters The optimality properties of these estimates are described in an ideal setting which is not often realized in practice. Frequently, we do not have "good" data in the sense that the errors are non-normal or the variance is non-homogeneous. The data may contain outliers or extremes which are not easily detectable but variables in the proper functional, and we. may have the linearity Prior to the mid-sixties regression programs provided just the basic least squares computations plus possibly a step-wise algorithm for variable selection. The increased interest in regression prompted by dramatic improvements in computers has led to a vast amount of literatur describing alternatives to least squares improved variable selection methods and extensive diagn.
Influence of solar wind on Jupiter's magnetosphere deduced from currents in the equatorial plane

Galileo is the sixth spacecraft to have visited Jupiter's magnetosphere. Among them the six spacecraft have sampled a fairly large expanse of magnetospheric local times and latitudes under varying solar wind conditions. An adequate (though not optimum) database of field and particles now exists that makes it possible to map the current circuits at a global scale. We have used the magnetic field observations from all six of the spacecraft to compute the electric current density in the equatorial plane of Jupiter's magnetosphere by making certain appropriate assumptions. We show that in the middle magnetosphere the azimuthal currents are much stronger on the nightside (∼ 144 MA between the radial distances of 10 and 50 RJ) than they are on the dayside (∼ 88 MA in the same distance range). From current continuity considerations we conclude that the nightside partial ring current is fed and emptied by field-aligned currents in the dusk and the dawn sectors, respectively. These currents are similar (but opposite in polarity) to Region 2 field-aligned currents observed in the Earth's magnetosphere. Because the presence of Region 1 or 2 sense field-aligned currents in a magnetosphere indicates the presence of solar wind driven convection in a magnetosphere, a surprising conclusion of the present analysis is that the solar wind influence reaches deep into the heart of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Other findings of this study are that (1) the equatorial field strength is remarkably constant over all local times, (2) the equatorial source of the outward field-aligned currents required for the generation of aurorae is located between the radial distances of 10 and 30 RJ with a peak near 20 RJ, and (3) the Jovian magnetosphere displays a magnetic field configuration intermediate to a Parker spiral and a magnetosphere driven by solar wind.
Tokamaks (Second Edition)

The first edition of John Wesson's book on tokamaks, published in 1987, established itself as essential reading for researchers in the field of magnetic confinement fusion: it was an excellent introduction for students to tokamak physics and also a valuable reference work for the more experienced. The second edition, published in 1997, has been completely rewritten and substantially enlarged (680 pages compared with 300). The new edition maintains the aim of providing a simple introduction to basic tokamak physics, but also includes discussion of the substantial advances in fusion research during the past decade. The new book, like its predecessor, is well written and commendable for its clarity and accuracy. In fact many of the chapters are written by a series of co-authors bringing the benefits of a wide range of expertise but, by careful editing, Wesson has maintained a uniformity of style and presentation. The chapter headings and coverage for the most part remain the same - but are expanded considerably and brought up to date. The most substantial change is that the single concluding chapter in the first edition on `Experiments' has been replaced by three chapters: `Tokamak experiments' which deals with some of the earlier key experiments plus a selection of recent small and medium-sized devices, `Large experiments' which gives an excellent summary of the main results from the four large tokamaks - TFTR, JET, JT60/JT60U and DIII-D, and `The future' which gives a very short (possibly too short in my opinion) account of reactors and ITER. This is an excellent book, which I strongly recommend should have a place - on the desk rather than in the bookshelf - of researchers in magnetic confinement fusion.
Soil nematode abundances drive agroecosystem multifunctionality under short‐term elevated CO2 and O3

The response of soil biotas to climate change has the potential to regulate multiple ecosystem functions. However, it is still challenging to accurately predict how multiple climate change factors will affect multiple ecosystem functions. Here, we assessed the short‐term responses of agroecosystem multifunctionality to a factorial combination of elevated CO2 (+200 ppm) and O3 (+40 ppb) and identified the key soil biotas (i.e., bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes) concerning the changes in the multiple ecosystem functions for two rice varieties (Japonica, Nanjing 5055 vs. Wuyujing 3). We provided strong evidence that combined treatment rather than individual treatments of short‐term elevated CO2 and O3 significantly increased the agroecosystem multifunctionality index by 32.3% in the Wuyujing 3 variety, but not in the Nanjing 5055 variety. Soil biotas exhibited an important role in regulating multifunctionality under short‐term elevated CO2 and O3, with soil nematode abundances better explaining the changes in ecosystem multifunctionality than soil biota diversity. Furthermore, the higher trophic groups of nematodes, omnivores‐predators served as the principal predictor of agroecosystem multifunctionality. These results provide unprecedented new evidence that short‐term elevated CO2 and O3 can potentially affect agroecosystem multifunctionality through soil nematode abundances, especially omnivores‐predators. Our study demonstrates that high trophic groups were specifically beneficial for regulating multiple ecosystem functions and highlights the importance of soil nematode communities for the maintenance of agroecosystem functions and health under climate change in the future.
Long-term validation of a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 from March 2020 to October 2021 in Central Africa, Gabon

Background Despite the development of several methods for diagnosing COVID-19, long-term validation of such methods remains limited. In the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a rapid and sensitive diagnostic method based on reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) methodology, which is suitable for point-of-care application or for use in resource-limited settings to detect SARS-CoV-2. To assess the applicability of the RT-LAMP assay technique to resource-limited regions, such as rural areas in Africa, and to verify the usability of the method against various SARS-CoV-2 variants, the method was validated using clinical samples collected longitudinally during the pandemic. Methodology/Principal findings First, the sensitivity of the RT-LAMP assay for detecting 10 SARS-CoV-2 variants was evaluated using viral RNA samples extracted from cell culture with a portable battery-supported device, resulting in the successful detection of 20–50 copies of the viral genome within 15 min, regardless of the variant. COVID-19 positive samples collected in Gabon between March 2020 and October 2021 were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the assay and to calculate the copy number of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. More than 292 copies of the viral genome were detected with 100% probability within 15 min in almost all tests. Conclusions This long-term validation study clearly demonstrated the applicability of the RT-LAMP assay for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 in resource-limited settings of Africa, such as rural areas in Gabon. The results show the potential of the assay as a promising COVID-19 diagnostic method, especially in rural and remote regions located far from the official diagnosis facilities in urban or semi-urban areas.
Aerobic Exercise Training Response in Preterm-Born Young Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure and Stage 1 Hypertension: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Rationale Premature birth is an independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular risk. Individuals affected are reported to have a lower rate of V˙o2 at peak exercise intensity (V˙o2PEAK) and at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (V˙o2VAT), but little is known about their response to exercise training. Objectives The primary objective was to determine whether the V˙o2PEAK response to exercise training differed between preterm-born and term-born individuals; the secondary objective was to quantify group differences in V˙o2VAT response. Methods Fifty-two preterm-born and 151 term-born participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to 16 weeks of aerobic exercise training (n = 102) or a control group (n = 101). Cardiopulmonary exercise tests were conducted before and after the intervention to measure V˙o2PEAK and the V˙o2VAT. A prespecified subgroup analysis was conducted by fitting an interaction term for preterm and term birth histories and exercise group allocation. Measurements and Main Results For term-born participants, V˙o2PEAK increased by 3.1 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 4.4), and the V˙o2VAT increased by 2.3 ml/kg/min (95% CI, 0.7 to 3.8) in the intervention group versus controls. For preterm-born participants, V˙o2PEAK increased by 1.8 ml/kg/min (95% CI, −0.4 to 3.9), and the V˙o2VAT increased by 4.6 ml/kg/min (95% CI, 2.1 to 7.0) in the intervention group versus controls. No significant interaction was observed with birth history for V˙o2PEAK (P = 0.32) or the V˙o2VAT (P = 0.12). Conclusions The training intervention led to significant improvements in V˙o2PEAK and V˙o2VAT, with no evidence of a statistically different response based on birth history. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT02723552).
Intraday optical variability of the BL Lacertae object S5 0716+714

The intraday optical variability of the BL Lacertae object S5 0716+714 is studied using historical light curves. The well-sampled intranight data set is selected. In total, 19 333 data points have been collected over 208 nights. The source exhibits strong variability in the optical band. At a confidence level of 99.9 per cent, for 162 of the 208 nights the source shows intranight variability. The source varies with an increasing rate of 0.043 mag h-1 and a decreasing rate of 0.036 mag h-1 during the observations, with no evident difference between rising and falling parts. The fast variability is found on JD 245 1909, with a decreasing rate of 0.015 mag min-1 over 6 min. The temporal characteristic is studied by using the structure function method. The result shows that the source varies with an 11.5-min time-scale. For this source, the emission size is estimated to be 1.39 x 1014 cm, the mass of the central black hole is estimated to be 107.87 M? and the magnetic field strength is estimated to be 10.6 G.
Tests for the Detection and Analysis of Color-Blindness. I. The Ishihara Test: An Evaluation

The Ishihara test for color-blindness, taken as a representative type of polychromatic tests, fails to give more than a superficial evaluation of the state of an observer’s color vision. It can be utilized as a good rough screening test for red-green color blindness, but in so doing most of the plates could be discarded. The results obtained are dependent to a large extent upon the illuminant used, and this fact militates against the deuteranomalous observer. The test gives neither an adequate qualitative (type of defect) nor quantitative (extent of defect) diagnosis, and may give a wrong diagnosis. Results obtained by this test should be discounted unless verified by other modern types of tests.
On the Measurement and Properties of Ambiguity in Probabilistic Expectations

Survey respondents’ probabilistic expectations are now widely used in many fields to study risk perceptions, decision-making processes, and behavior. Researchers have developed several methods to account for the fact that the probability of an event may be more ambiguous for some respondents than others, but few prior studies have empirically compared the approaches. This article contrasts two of the most prominent methods using data from an experiment embedded in a recent Web survey of 926 volunteer panelists. Specifically, we comparatively evaluate the descriptive and relational properties of ambiguity scores obtained by placing follow-up questions after items eliciting expectations that ask either for (1) a range of probabilities that the respondent is confident to contain the true probability or for (2) a verbal response indicating assuredness. Our results show that these two methods produce measures that have more similarities than differences. Both methods yield ambiguity scores that (1) are not strongly associated with exposure to sources of relevant information, (2) are correlated across seemingly unrelated events, and (3) are consistently related to the level of reported risk.
Molecular Dissection of Somatic Skeletal Disease in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a tumor predisposition syndrome caused by heterozygous NF1 gene mutations. Patients with NF1 present with pleiotropic somatic secondary manifestations, including development of bone pseudarthrosis after fracture. Somatic NF1 gene mutations were reproducibly identified in patient‐derived pseudarthrosis specimens, suggesting a local mosaic cell population including somatic pathologic cells. The somatic cellular pathogenesis of NF1 pseudarthroses remains unclear, though defects in osteogenesis have been posited. Here, we applied time‐series single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq) to patient‐matched control and pseudarthrosis‐derived primary bone stromal cells (BSCs). We show that osteogenic specification to an osteoblast progenitor cell population was evident for control bone‐derived cells and haploinsufficient pseudarthrosis‐derived cells. Similar results were observed for somatic patient fracture‐derived NF1−/− cells; however, expression of genetic pathways associated with skeletal mineralization were significantly reduced in NF1−/− cells compared with fracture‐derived NF1+/− cells. In mice, we show that Nf1 expressed in bone marrow osteoprogenitors is required for the maintenance of the adult skeleton. Results from our study implicate impaired Clec11a‐Itga11‐Wnt signaling in the pathogenesis of NF1‐associated skeletal disease. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
A Structure-Based Variable Ordering Heuristic for SAT

We propose a variable ordering heuristic for SAT, which is based on a structural analysis of the SAT problem. We show that when the heuristic is used by a Davis-Putnam SAT solver that employs conflict-directed backtracking, it produces a divide-and-conquer behavior in which the SAT problem is recursively decomposed into smaller problems that are solved independently. We discuss the implications of this divide-and-conquer behavior on our ability to provide structure-based guarantees on the complexity of Davis-Putnam SAT solvers. We also report on the integration of this heuristic with ZChaff- a state-of-the-art SAT solver--showing experimentally that it significantly improves performance on a range of benchmark problems that exhibit structure.
The Characteristics of Patients With COVID‐19–Associated Pediatric Vasculitis: An International, Multicenter Study

COVID‐19–associated pediatric vasculitis, other than Kawasaki disease (KD)–like vasculitis in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C), is very rare. This study sought to analyze the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in patients with COVID‐19–associated pediatric vasculitis (excluding KD‐like vasculitis in MIS‐C).
Overexpression of miR-181a regulates the Warburg effect in triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract Objective Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is highly aggressive and leads to a poor prognosis. microRNA-181a (miR-181a) exhibits strong antineoplastic effects in many types of cancer. In this study, we examine the responses of human miR-181a-transfected TNBC cells and explore the mechanisms underlying the observed effects. Methods A series of cellular assays were conducted using cells from the MDA-MB-231 TNBC line to assess the impact of miR-181a overexpression. The extracellular acidification rate, lactate production and glucose uptake were evaluated as a measure of aerobic glycolysis (i.e. the Warburg effect). The expressions of glycolysis-related gene were analyzed. Results Viability, migration and survival of miR-181a-transfected MDA-MB-231 cells were all significantly reduced. miR-181a inhibited glycolysis in TNBC cells by reducing the rates of glucose uptake and lactate production and a substantial downregulation of factors known to contribute to the Warburg effect, including the serine/threonine kinase, AKT3, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that miR-181a may regulate glycolysis in MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, potentially via interference with components of the AKT3–HIF-1α and PGRMC1 pathways. These results suggest that miR-181a might be developed as a therapeutic agent for use in antineoplastic regimens directed at TNBC and PGRMC1-overexpressing breast cancers.
Assessing adolescents' readiness for action and attitudes toward obesity prevention: Instrument development and psychometric properties

Engaging adolescents in obesity prevention is a main objective of the CO‐CREATE project. This paper presents the development of a questionnaire to assess readiness for action and attitudes toward obesity prevention among adolescents. The questionnaire was developed based on literature searches and internal discussions with experts in the CO‐CREATE consortium. The questionnaire was translated, back translated, and pretested for time and comprehensiveness by adolescents from five countries (the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom). Exploratory factor analysis was performed, and internal reliability of the resulting factors was determined using baseline data from Poland and Norway. Furthermore, test–retest reliability was assessed in a sample of Norwegian adolescents. The exploratory factor analysis on readiness for action identified four factors. Analysis on attitudes toward obesity prevention identified four factors on responsibility and five factors on drivers of behavior. Six of the factors had a Cronbach's alpha value above 0.70, five factors had a value between 0.60–0.70, whereas the remaining two factors were below 0.60. The test–retest correlation ranged from 0.46 to 0.87. The exploratory factor analyzes on readiness for action identified the same factors as hypothesized in the development of the questionnaire, whereas attitudes toward obesity prevention identified more factors than initially assumed. The questionnaire is considered reliable as a tool for measuring adolescents' readiness for action and attitudes toward obesity prevention.
The protective effects of red ginseng and amifostine against renal damage caused by ionizing radiation

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of amifostine (ethyol) (AM), a synthetic radioprotector, and red ginseng (RG), a natural radioprotective agent, against the toxic effect of ionizing radiation (IR) on kidney tissues through changes in biochemical and histopathological parameters in addition to contributions to the use of amifostine and RG in clinical studies. Five groups were established: Group I (control, receiving only saline by gavage), Group II (IR only), and Group III (IR+AM, 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). Group IV (IR + RG, 200 mg/kg orally once a day for 4 weeks), and Group V (IR+RG+AM, 200 mg/kg orally once/day for 4 weeks before IR and 200 mg/kg AM administered (i.p.) 30 min before IR). All groups, except for the control group, were subject to 6-Gy whole-body IR in a single fraction. 24 h after irradiation, all animals were sacrificed under anesthesia. IR enhanced MDA, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expression while decreasing renal tissue GSH levels (p < .05). Significant numbers of necrotic tubules together with diffuse vacuolization in proximal and distal tubule epithelial cells were also observed. The examination also revealed substantial brush boundary loss in proximal tubules as well as relatively unusual glomerular structures. While GSH levels significantly increased in the AM, RG, and AM+RG groups, a decrease in KHDS, MDA, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expression was observed, compared to the group subject to IR only (p < .05). Therefore, reactive oxygen species-scavenging antioxidants may represent a promising treatment for avoiding kidney damage in patients receiving radiation. Graphical Abstract
Candidate effector proteins from the oomycetes Plasmopara viticola and Phytophthora parasitica share similar predicted structures and induce cell death in Nicotiana species

Effector proteins secreted by plant pathogens are essential for infection. Cytoplasmic RXLR effectors from oomycetes are characterized by the presence of RXLR and EER motifs that are frequently linked to WY- and/or LWY-domains, folds that are exclusive to this effector family. A related family of secreted candidate effector proteins, carrying WY-domains and the EER motif but lacking the canonical RXLR motif, has recently been described in oomycetes and is mainly found in downy mildew pathogens. Plasmopara viticola is an obligate biotrophic oomycete causing grapevine downy mildew. Here we describe a conserved Pl. viticola secreted candidate non-RXLR effector protein with cell death-inducing activity in Nicotiana species. A similar RXLR effector candidate from the broad host range oomycete pathogen Phytophthora parasitica also induces cell death in Nicotiana. Through comparative tertiary structure modelling, we reveal that both proteins are predicted to carry WY- and LWY-domains. Our work supports the presence of LWY-domains in non-RXLR effectors and suggests that effector candidates with similar domain architecture may exert similar activities.