Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digital economy and private donation behavior: an empirical analysis based on the CFPS data

With the development of digital economy, especially the Mobile payment, the lifestyles such as the private donation, is undergoing accelerated changes in the last decades. Based on the China Family Panel Studies 2018 data, this paper systematically investigated the donation models, empowered by digital technology, have realized economy system refinement and intelligent development. Compared with residents who do not use the Internet, residents who use the Internet are about 10% more likely to donate, and the amount of donations will increase by about 56%. After considering the potential endogeneity problem, results still hold with Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Instrumental Variable. The mechanism analysis shows that the searching cost and information asymmetry play an important role. The research of this paper has enlightening that the widespread use of digital technologies can effectively change the private donation behavior and penetrate energy consumption via dramatically decreasing searching cost.
Effect of tanshinone IIA for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal model: preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms

Introduction: Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), the major active lipophilic ingredient of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, exerts various therapeutic effects on the cardiovascular system. We aimed to identify the preclinical evidence and possible mechanisms of Tan IIA as a cardioprotective agent in the treatment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: The study quality scores of twenty-eight eligible studies and data analyses were separately assessed using the CAMARADES 10-item checklist and Rev-Man 5.3 software. Results: The study quality score ranged from 3/10 to 7/10 points. The present study provided preliminary preclinical evidence that Tan IIA could significantly decrease the myocardial infarct size, cardiac enzyme activity and troponin levels compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). Discussion: Tan IIA alleviated myocardial I/R injury via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis mechanisms and improved circulation and energy metabolism. Thus, Tan IIA is a promising cardioprotective agent for the treatment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and should be further investigated in clinical trials.
External validation of the parental attitude about childhood vaccination scale

Introduction Internal validation techniques alone do not guarantee the value of a model. This study aims to investigate the external validity of the Parental Attitude toward Childhood Vaccination (PACV) scale for assessing parents’ attitude toward seasonal influenza vaccination. Methods Using a snowball sampling approach, an anonymous online questionnaire was distributed in two languages (English and Arabic) across seven countries. To assess the internal validity of the model, the machine learning technique of “resampling methods” was used to repeatedly select various samples collected from Egypt and refit the model for each sample. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify the main determinants of parental intention to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza. We adopted the original model developed and used its predictors to determine parents’ intention to vaccinate their children in Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Sudan. The area under the curve (AUC) indicated the model’s ability to distinguish events from non-events. We visually compared the observed and predicted probabilities of parents’ intention to vaccinate their children using a calibration plot. Results A total of 430 parents were recruited from Egypt to internally validate the model, and responses from 2095 parents in the other six countries were used to externally validate the model. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the PACV score, child age (adolescence), and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in children were significantly associated with the intention to receive the vaccination. The AUC of the developed model was 0.845. Most of the predicted points were close to the diagonal line, demonstrating better calibration (the prediction error was 16.82%). The sensitivity and specificity of the externally validated model were 89.64 and 37.89%, respectively (AUC = 0.769). Conclusion The PACV showed similar calibration and discrimination across the six countries. It is transportable and can be used to assess attitudes towards influenza vaccination among parents in different countries using either the Arabic or English version of the scale.
Untreated depression and anxiety in patients with common skin diseases: a cross-sectional study in China

Objective The study aimed to analyze the current status and reasons for the neglect of the psychological need of patients with common skin diseases. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in China using an online self-assessment questionnaire distributed via social media. Demographic, clinical and psychological data were collected, and the main outcomes, i.e., depression (evaluated using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and anxiety (evaluated using Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7). Multivariate regression analysis was used for the prediction of variates of mental health service seeking behaviors. Results A total of 1,010 patients participated in the survey, and 273 (27.0%) patients met the “with need” criteria, i.e., having the need for mental health intervention but not being treated. In the multivariate regression model, income (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.65–0.99), duration of disease (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.49–0.95) and suicide ideation (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.14–3.87) were significant factors. For patients who did not receive mental health care, the lack of knowledge about the availability of mental health services, lack of knowledge of where to seek help, concerns about the side effects of treatment, failure to seek treatment for severe skin diseases, and absence of current psychological distress were associated with their need for psychological intervention. Conclusion This study examined the current status of the need for psychological intervention and the reasons why the need was unmet in patients with skin diseases. Due to the confusion and a lack of knowledge about their mental health issues, mental health services are often underutilized.
Microenvironment commits breast tumor ECs to dedifferentiation by micro-RNA-200-b-3p regulation and extracellular matrix remodeling

Introduction: Hypoxia shapes the tumor microenvironment, modulates distinct cell population activities, and activates pathological angiogenesis in cancer, where endothelial cells (ECs) are the most important players. This study aimed to evidence the influences of the tumor microenvironment on the global gene expression pattern characteristic for ECs and the distinct responses displayed by tumor-derived ECs in comparison to the healthy endothelium during endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and its regulation by miR-200-b-3p. Methodology: Immortalized lines of ECs from the same patient with breast cancer, healthy breast tissue (HBH.MEC), and primary tumor (HBCa.MEC) were used. The experiments were performed in normoxia and hypoxia for 48 h. By using the wound healing test, we investigated the migration abilities of ECs. Global gene expression analysis with NGS was carried out to detect new pathways altered in pathological ECs and find the most changed miRNAs. The validation of NGS data from RNA and miRNA was estimated by qPCRs. Mimic miR-200b-3p was used in HBH.MEC, and the targets VEGF, Bcl2, ROCK2, and SP1 were checked. Results: Hypoxia influences EC migration properties in wound healing assays. In hypoxia, healthy ECs migrate slower than they do in normoxia, as opposed to HBCa.MEC, where no decreased migration ability is induced by hypoxia due to EndMT features. NGS data identified this process to be altered in cancer ECs through extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. The deregulated genes, validated by qPCR, included SPP1, ITGB6, COL4A4, ADAMST2, LAMA1, GAS6, PECAM1, ELN, FBLN2, COL6A3, and COL9A3. NGS also identified collagens, laminins, fibronectins, and integrins, as being deregulated in tumor-derived ECs. Moreover, the analysis of the 10 most intensively modified miRNAs, when breast tumor–derived ECs were compared to healthy ECs, shed light on miR-200b-3p, which is strongly upregulated in HBCa.MECs when compared to HBH.MECs. Discussion and conclusion: The pathological ECs differed significantly, both phenotypically and functionally, from the normal corresponding tissue, thus influencing their microenvironment cross-talk. The gene expression profile confirms the EndMT phenotype of tumor-derived ECs and migratory properties acquisition. Moreover, it indicates the role of miR-200b-3p, that is, regulating EndMT in pathological ECs and silencing several angiogenic growth factors and their receptors by directly targeting their mRNA transcripts.
Balancing water and radiation productivity suggests a clue for improving yields in wheat under combined water deficit and terminal heat stress

Sustaining crop yield under abiotic stresses with optimized resource use is a prerequisite for sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Water and heat stress are major abiotic stresses impacting crop growth and yield by influencing complex physiological and biochemical processes during the life cycle of crops. In a 2-year (2015–2017) research, spring wheat cv. HD-2967 was grown under deficit irrigation and delayed sowing conditions to impose water and terminal heat stresses, respectively. The data were analyzed for seasonal crop water use, radiation interception, water productivity (WP), and radiation productivity (RP) under combined water deficit and terminal heat stresses. Seasonal crop water use was significantly affected by stresses in the order of water + terminal heat > water > terminal heat. Water stress showed minimal effect on the light extinction coefficient and consequently on seasonal intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR). However, seasonal IPAR was primarily affected by combined water + terminal heat and terminal heat stress alone. The slope of crop water use and IPAR, i.e., canopy conductance, an indicator of canopy stomatal conductance, was more influenced by water stress than by terminal heat stress. Results showed that linear proportionality between WP and RP is no longer valid under stress conditions, as it follows a curvilinear relation. This is further supported by the fact that independent productivity (either water or radiation) lacked the ability to explain variability in the final economic yield or biomass of wheat. However, the ratio of RP to WP explained the variability in wheat yield/biomass under individual or combined stresses. This suggests a clue for improving higher wheat yield under stress by managing WP and RP. The highest biomass or yield is realized when the ratio of RP to WP approaches unity. Screening of genotypes for traits leading to a higher ratio of RP to WP provides an opportunity for improving wheat productivity under stressed environments.
Nasal immunization with H7 flagellin protects mice against hemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to Escherichia coli O157:H7 gastrointestinal infection

Introduction Shiga-toxin (Stx) producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is the most frequent serotype associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after gastrointestinal infections. Protection against HUS secondary to STEC infections has been experimentally assayed through the generation of different vaccine formulations. With focus on patients, the strategies have been mainly oriented to inhibit production of Stx or its neutralization. However, few approaches have been intended to block gastrointestinal phase of this disease, which is considered the first step in the pathogenic cascade of HUS. The aim of this work was to assay H7 flagellin as a mucosal vaccine candidate to prevent the systemic complications secondary to E. coli O157:H7 infections. Materials and methods The cellular and humoral immune response after H7 nasal immunization in mice were studied by the analysis of systemic and intestinal specific antibody production, as well as cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation against H7 flagellin ex vivo. Results Immunized mice developed a strong and specific anti-H7 IgG and IgA response, at systemic and mucosal level, as well as a cellular Th1/Th2/Th17 response. H7 induced activation of bone marrow derived dendritic cells in vitro and a significant delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in immunized mice. Most relevant, immunized mice were completely protected against the challenge with an E. coli O157:H7 virulent strain in vivo, and surviving mice presented high titres of anti-H7 and Stx antibodies. Discussion These results suggest that immunization avoids HUS outcome and allows to elicit a specific immune response against other virulence factors.
Aerosol vaccination of chicken pullets with irradiated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli induces a local immunostimulatory effect

The present study investigated the expression of cytokines and cellular changes in chickens following vaccination with irradiated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and/or challenge. Four groups of 11-week-old pullets, each consisting of 16 birds were kept separately in isolators before they were sham inoculated (N), challenged only (C), vaccinated (V) or vaccinated and challenged (V+C). Vaccination was performed using irradiated APEC applied via aerosol. For challenge, the homologous strain was administered intratracheally. Birds were sacrificed on 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post challenge (dpc) to examine lesions, organ to body weight ratios and bacterial colonization. Lung and spleen were sampled for investigating gene expression of cytokines mediating inflammation by RT-qPCR and changes in the phenotype of subsets of mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. After re-stimulation of immune cells by co-cultivation with the pathogen, APEC-specific IFN-γ producing cells were determined. Challenged only birds showed more severe pathological and histopathological lesions, a higher probability of bacterial re-isolation and higher organ to body weight ratios compared to vaccinated and challenged birds. In the lung, an upregulation of IL-1β and IL-6 following vaccination and/or challenge at 3 dpc was observed, whereas in the spleen IL-1β was elevated. Changes were observed in macrophages and TCR-γδ+ cells within 7 dpc in spleen and lung of challenged birds. Furthermore, an increase of CD4+ cells in spleen and a rise of Bu-1+ cells in lung were present in vaccinated and challenged birds at 3 dpc. APEC re-stimulated lung and spleen mononuclear cells from only challenged pullets showed a significant increase of IFN-γ+CD8α+ and IFN-γ+TCR-γδ+ cells. Vaccinated and challenged chickens responded with a significant increase of IFN-γ+CD8α+ T cells in the lung and IFN-γ+TCR-γδ+ cells in the spleen. Re-stimulation of lung mononuclear cells from vaccinated birds resulted in a significant increase of both IFN-γ+CD8α+ and IFN-γ+TCR-γδ+ cells. In conclusion, vaccination with irradiated APEC caused enhanced pro-inflammatory response as well as the production of APEC-specific IFN-γ-producing γδ and CD8α T cells, which underlines the immunostimulatory effect of the vaccine in the lung. Hence, our study provides insights into the underlying immune mechanisms that account for the defense against APEC.
Analysis of Serially Correlated Data Using Quasi-Least Squares

SUMMARY Quasi-least squares (QLS), a marginal statistical approach via generalized estimating equations that is described in the balanced data setting by Chaganty (1997, Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference 63, 39-54), allows for application of a wide range of working correlation structures when analyzing serially correlated data. We extend the application of QLS to serially correlated, unequally spaced, and unbalanced data using three useful working correlation models: the firstorder autoregressive (AR(1)), the Markov, and the generalized Markov structure described by Nuniez-Anton and Woodworth (1994, Biometrics 50, 445-456). We compare QLS and the original formulation of the generalized estimating equation approach (GEE) for these structures, demonstrating that (i) infeasibility of the GEE correlation parameter estimates can be a problem, (ii) it is difficult to obtain consistent moment estimates of the correlation parameters for the generalized Markov structure, and (iii) the use of QLS can lead to reduced mean square error of the estimate of the regression parameter for small samples of moderately correlated data. To choose between alternative correlation models, we propose a criterion that is based on the principle of generalized least squares. Finally, data for which the generalized Markov structure is appropriate are analyzed to demonstrate the use of QLS in selecting a suitable working correlation structure and identifying In this paper, we apply a statistical method based on the generalized estimating equation approach of Liang and Zeger (1986) to the analysis of longitudinal data that may be difficult to analyze using other established methods. We consider repeated measures data collected by taking measurements of an outcome variable and associated covariates on each of a group of independent subjects. Our primary data analysis goal is to identify important covariates and to explain their effect on the marginal mean of the outcome variable while also accounting for the correlation among observations on each subject. Accomplishing this research objective may be difficult due to certain conditions that are typical in longitudinal studies. The timing and total number of measurements taken may vary from subject to subject so that the data may be unbalanced and unequally spaced. The outcome variable may not be normally distributed. The intrasubject correlation may be described using a time-dependent pattern. For example, the correlation between two measurements may decrease as they become more
Fittings of Systematic Errors and Covariance Matrices in Navigation

Using Kalman filtering for kinematic positioning and navigation we have to deal with an observational model and a dynamic model. Both of the functional models may contain systematic errors or local systematic errors. Adaptive fittings for both the systematic errors and covariance matrices of the model errors by using moving windows are presented. The systematic errors are fitted by using the residuals of observations and residuals of predicted states within chosen window. The covariance matrices of the modified observations and the modified predicted states are estimated within the same window, which are different from those of Sage filtering. The observations and the predicted states are then modified. The estimation formulae and calculation strategy as well as an example are given. It is shown by the theory and calculation that Kalman filtering, based on the adaptive fittings of the systematic errors and covariance matrices, can in some degree resist the influences of the systematic errors on the estimated states of navigation.
Technical note A simple way to perform decorrelation stretching and related techniques on menu-driven image processing systems

Abstract The merits of decorrelation stretching as an aid to visual image interpretation are becoming increasingly widely recognized, especially in geology. Although fairly simple in concept, decorrelation stretching is not always an option on commercial menu-driven image processing software. However, most systems include a principal components transformation package. This note demonstrates how decorrelation stretching can be achieved using principal components transformation as provided by such systems, followed by weighted summation.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy on engineered plasmonic metamaterials for “label free” biosensing

The last decade has been characterized by artificial electromagnetic (EM) materials, including photonic crystals (PCs) and photonic quasi-crystals (PQCs), making these very attractive given that there are new possibilities to control the EM field in innovative way. Quasiperiodic crystals (QCs) are a new class of materials that have fascinating optical properties lying somewhere between those of disordered and period structures. With the use of PCs and PQCs, it is possible to synthesize novel artificial structures characterized by selective EM responses, which, in turn, undergo significant frequency shifts, in presence of biological material. In the present work we studied artificial EM nanomaterials to develop innovative plasmonic nanobiosensors based on Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrates and working in the visible and NIR frequency bands. A fabricated gold PQC in a Thue Morse arrangement is proposed for the engineering of reproducible SERS substrates. Structural characterization of this surface is performed by SEM and AFM. Optical properties of this plasmonic nanostructure are evaluated via UV/ Vis absorption spectroscopy and surface–enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Using a molecular monolayer of pMA (p-mercaptoaniline) as a Raman reporter, we show that a high value of SERS enhancement factor (measured up to 1.4 x 107) can be achieved in a properly optimized photonic structure, in good agreement with FDTD calculations. SERS enhancement factor is dependent on the plasmon absorption wavelength and laser wavelength used in these experiments.
Demonstrating The Use Of Vector Error Correction Models Using Simulated Data

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of time series analysis, including unit roots tests, Granger causality tests, cointergation tests and vector error correction models. We generate four time series using simulation such that the data has both a random component and a growth trend. The data are analyzed to demonstrate the use of time series analysis procedures.
A property of Cesàro-Perron integrals

It is well known that if f(t) is (a) integrable in the Lebesgue sense, or more generally (b) integrable in the Perron sense, over every interval (α, β) interior to (a, b), and if exists, then f(t) is integrable in the Perron sense over (a, b) to the value (1·1).
The predictive focus account of the principle of simplicity

OF THE DISSERTATION The Predictive Focus Account of the Principle of Simplicity by Justin Sharber Dissertation Director: Branden Fitelson This dissertation presents an account of the Principle of Simplicity, a prominent idea in the philosophy of science. The principle states that when a simple model and a complex model both predict the data, and all else is equal, the data supports the simpler model more. The account, the “Predictive Focus Account,” states that simpler models are better confirmed in these contexts because they make narrower, more focused predictions. The introduction presents Principle of Simplicity and the Predictive Focus Account. It defines key terms and explains the dissertation’s methodology. This section also flags background issues that go beyond the scope of the dissertation. Chapter 1 investigates the philosophical history of the Predictive Focus Account, and the relationship between a model’s simplicity and its “global likelihood. ” On this account, the explanation of the advantage of simplicity is grounded in relations of Bayesian confirmation between competing models. That is, the advantage of simplicity is a subtle, but inherent, feature of standard Bayesian model evaluation. This chapter argues that the Predictive Focus Account is incomplete without a method for fixing prior probabilities. It proposes a new approach to fixing objective priors, the “Data Window Prior,” grounded in experimental design. The proposed prior bounds the