Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis of Studies on the Effects of Digital Therapeutics

Digital therapeutics (DTx), novel treatment methods that have the potential to surpass traditional approaches such as pills, have received considerable research attention. Various efforts have been made to explore effective treatment methods that actively integrate DTx. This review investigates DTx treatment outcomes comprehensively through a meta-analysis. The analysis—a manual search of studies on “digital therapeutics”—includes DTx studies from January 2017 to October 2022. Hedges’ g is used to quantify effect size for fifteen studies analyzed, encompassing eight control groups. Further, a quality assessment is performed using the Bias Risk Assessment Tool. The Hedges’ g analysis results provide weighted average effect sizes across the eight control groups, revealing a substantial value of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.62 to 1.20); this signifies a moderate to large effect size. Further refinement, which excludes one study, yields an increased weighted average effect size of 1.13 (95% CI: 0.91 to 1.36). The quality assessment results consistently indicate a low risk of bias across studies. The meta-analysis results indicate that DTx can provide significant pivotal therapeutic impacts and offer a means to personalize treatment approaches and streamline the management of patients’ treatment processes.
Steatotic Liver Disease and Sepsis Outcomes—A Prospective Cohort Study (SepsisFAT)

Background: While it has been shown that steatotic liver disease (SLD) is associated with systemic changes in immune response, the impact of SLD on sepsis outcomes has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SLD and sepsis severity and outcomes. Methods: A prospective observational study included consecutively hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired sepsis during a 16-month period. Results: Of the 378 included patients (49.5% male, median age of 69, IQR 57–78 years), 174 (46%) were diagnosed with SLD. Patients with SLD were older and more frequently fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. There were no differences in the source and etiology of sepsis between the groups. Patients with SLD exhibited a higher incidence of acute kidney injury (29.3% vs. 17.6%), the need for renal replacement therapy (16.1% vs. 8.8%), and more frequent use of invasive mechanical ventilation (29.3% vs. 18.1%). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the SLD group (18.39% vs. 9.8%). The multivariable analysis indicated that SLD was associated with mortality (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.40–5.71) irrespective of the other elements within metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: SLD might be associated with higher sepsis in-hospital mortality, and more frequent development of acute kidney and respiratory insufficiency requiring more critical care support.
Australia Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics a Class of Nonlinear Stochastic Volatility Models and Its Implications on Pricing Currency Options a Class of Nonlinear Stochastic Volatility Models and Its Implications on Pricing Currency Options

1 This is a revised version of a paper with the title " A Class of Nonlinear Stochastic Volatility Models " by Jun Yu and Zhenlin Yang. That version of the paper used different datasets as well as different estimation techniques and did not have the section on option pricing. Jun Yu has benefited greatly from conversations with Ronald Gallant and Genshiro Kitagawa, from comments and suggestions from Abstract This paper proposes a class of stochastic volatility (SV) models which offers an alternative to the one introduced in Andersen (1994). The class encompasses all standard SV models that have appeared in the literature, including the well known lognormal model, and allows us to empirically test all standard specifications in a convenient way. We develop a likelihood-based technique for analyzing the class. Daily dollar/pound exchange rate data reject all the standard models and suggest evidence of nonlinear SV. An efficient algorithm is proposed to study the implications of this nonlinear SV on pricing currency options and it is found that the lognormal model overprices options.
Methylphenidate Ameliorates Behavioural and Neurobiological Deficits in Executive Function for Patients with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury

(1) Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive impairments, including in visuospatial planning and executive function. Methylphenidate (MPh) demonstrates potential improvements in several cognitive domains in patients with TBI. The Tower of London (TOL) is a visuospatial planning task used to assess executive function. (2) Methods: Volunteers with a history of TBI (n = 16) participated in a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, fMRI study to investigate the neurobiological correlates of visuospatial planning and executive function, on and off MPh. (3) Results: Healthy controls (HCs) (n = 18) and patients on placebo (TBI-placebo) differed significantly in reaction time (p < 0.0005) and accuracy (p < 0.0001) when considering all task loads, but especially for high cognitive loads for reaction time (p < 0.001) and accuracy (p < 0.005). Across all task loads, TBI-MPh were more accurate than TBI-placebo (p < 0.05) but remained less accurate than HCs (p < 0.005). TBI-placebo substantially improved in accuracy with MPh administration (TBI-MPh) to a level statistically comparable to HCs at low (p = 0.443) and high (p = 0.175) cognitive loads. Further, individual patients that performed slower on placebo at low cognitive loads were faster with MPh (p < 0.05), while individual patients that performed less accurately on placebo were more accurate with MPh at both high and low cognitive loads (p < 0.005). TBI-placebo showed reduced activity in the bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG) and insulae versus HCs. MPh normalised these regional differences. MPh enhanced within-network connectivity (between parietal, striatal, insula, and cerebellar regions) and enhanced beyond-network connectivity (between parietal, thalamic, and cerebellar regions). Finally, individual changes in cerebellar-thalamic (p < 0.005) and cerebellar-parietal (p < 0.05) connectivity with MPh related to individual changes in accuracy with MPh. (4) Conclusions: This work highlights behavioural and neurofunctional differences between HCs and patients with chronic TBI, and that adverse differences may benefit from MPh treatment.
SUPRAORBITAL FORAMEN AND HYPOGLOSSAL CANAL BRIDGING IN ANCIENT/MODERN ANATOLIAN POPULATIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR WORLDWIDE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

Supraorbital foramen (SOF) and hypoglossal canal bridging (HGCB) show variation in their morphology and frequency in different populations. It is established that the frequency distribution of these traits are efficient to distinguish major human populations. In this study, the prevalence of SOF and HGCB in 11 Anatolian populations from distinct time periods and locations was examined. Frequency differences of SOF and HGCB were evaluated for different age and sex groups. Following Dodo and Sawada (2010) for SOF and HGCB population correlations, this study is the first to present the place of Anatolian populations among world populations. Although significant differences in major human populations were observed by previous studies, there were no significant differences found amongst the Anatolian populations (Today Turkey) in relation to SOF. Similarly, supraorbital edge over the number of holes in size and position showed no significant difference. Though there was an age-related increase in frequency, evaluated data demonstrated no statistical difference between distinct age and sex groups in relation to SOF. The results of evaluation of SOF frequency within HGCB Anatolian people seem to cluster together most similarly with Europeans, in concordance with recent molecular genetic studies, among the 72 world populations. At the end, this study concludes that the frequency distribution of SOF and HGCB is an effective tool to distinguish genetically distant major human populations in large scale, but it is ineffective in comparing chronologically, geographically, and genetically proximate local populations. It is seen that this results are valid for ancient and modern populations.
Impact des variations du niveau marin sur les argiles: exemple du Crétacé inférieur du bassin d'Essaouira (Maroc)

L'etude des corteges argileux du Cretace inferieur du bassin d'Essaouira permet d'etablir des relations entre les fluctuations du niveau marin et les variations des assemblages argileux. En periode de hauts niveaux marins, les proportions de smectites et de kaolinites augmentent dans le bassin. En contexte regressif, on assiste a la diminution des teneurs en mineraux pedogeniques (kaolinite et smectite) au profit de l'illite. Ceci est lie aux mecanismes de sedimentation differentielle d'une part, et aux fluctuations des apports continentaux de particules fines d'autre part
The role of microbiomes in gastrointestinal cancers: new insights

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute more than 33% of new cancer cases worldwide and pose a considerable burden on public health. There exists a growing body of evidence that has systematically recorded an upward trajectory in GI malignancies within the last 5 to 10 years, thus presenting a formidable menace to the health of the human population. The perturbations in GI microbiota may have a noteworthy influence on the advancement of GI cancers; however, the precise mechanisms behind this association are still not comprehensively understood. Some bacteria have been observed to support cancer development, while others seem to provide a safeguard against it. Recent studies have indicated that alterations in the composition and abundance of microbiomes could be associated with the progression of various GI cancers, such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, and esophageal cancers. Within this comprehensive analysis, we examine the significance of microbiomes, particularly those located in the intestines, in GI cancers. Furthermore, we explore the impact of microbiomes on various treatment modalities for GI cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Additionally, we delve into the intricate mechanisms through which intestinal microbes influence the efficacy of GI cancer treatments.
Fighting the Ignorance: Public Authorities’ and Land Users’ Responses to Land Subsidence in Indonesia

Land subsidence can have a considerable impact on the socio-economic viability of areas. In urban areas, land subsidence tends to damage buildings and infrastructures gradually, while in rural peat land it slowly destroys vegetation. The damages will worsen since climate change has further implications for the areas affected by land subsidence. In Indonesia, the response to land subsidence varies in different areas in terms of awareness, urgency and action on the part of both public authorities and land users. This paper systematically investigates these varied responses in urban and rural peat land areas. Interviews with experts and surveys of 330 land users in selected sub-districts were conducted and further supplemented by focus group discussions. We found that both the public authorities as well as the land users’ responses were considered as of limited value to contest land subsidence. We suggest that the endorsement of land users’ response into governmental policies would make a significant difference in improving land subsidence management.
Risk factors of bladder stones in neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: A real‐world study

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the incidence and risk factors for stone formation and recurrence in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in a real‐world cohort. Materials and methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients with NLUTD who underwent bladder stone treatment between 2010 and 2022. Univariate and multivariate Cox models were used to identify the potential risk factors for stone recurrence. Results Among 114 patients included in the study, 30% experienced stone recurrence. The most common stone components were carbonate apatite phosphate and magnesium ammonium phosphate. The overall recurrence rate was 14 cases per 100 patient years. Neurogenic detrusor overactivity had the highest recurrence rate. Risk factors for stone recurrence in the multivariate analysis were intermittent and suprapubic catheterization, and recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI). Conclusions Patients experienced multiple bladder stone recurrences. Close monitoring of bladder pressure and UTI with restrictive catheter application may reduce the risk of stone recurrence.
Dovednosti žáků ve výuce biologie, geografie a chemie

Monografie předklada a do sirsich souvislosti ramuje koncepci a výsledky ctyřleteho výzkumu oborových didaktik biologie, geografie a chemie. Tento výzkum byl podporovaný GA CR (P407/10/0514). Hlavnim cilem projektu bylo na zakladě viceurovňove analýzy dovednosti v rovině zamýsleneho, realizovaneho a dosaženeho kurikula navrhnout provazaný system dovednosti žaků, ktere by si měli osvojit v biologii, geografii a chemii na konci 5. a 9. rocniku zakladni skoly a 4. rocniku gymnazii. Snahou bylo naplňovat dilci výzkumne cile na zakladě shodných přistupů a metod, abychom mohli provest i mezioborovou komparaci dosažených výsledků. V prvni fazi byla navržena zvlasť za jednotlive obory nova struktura dovednosti, ktera graduje dle věku žaků. Byl zvolen stejný princip výběru a třiděni dovednosti, který odpovida principům badatelske výuky. U vsech tři oborů u jednotlivých věkových kategorii jsou dovednosti strukturovany do 4–5 hlavnich okruhů dovednosti (od kladeni otazek po formulovani zavěrů). Navržene přehledy dovednosti se v dalsi fazi výzkumu staly obsahem tři dotazniků (za každý obor zvlasť), adresovaných pedagogům zakladnich skol, gymnazii a vysokých skol. Analýza jejich výpovědi představuje jeden z podkladů pro korekci prvni verze navrhů dovednosti a zaroveň umožňuje sledovat nazorove disproporce mezi pedagogy různých stupňů skol. Ve třeti fazi výzkumu jsme provedli testovani vybraných dovednosti dle výse zmiňovaných hlavnich okruhů dovednosti u žaků různeho věku. Zaroveň jsme žaky a jejich ucitele oslovili dotaznikem, abychom výkony žaků v testu mohli zasadit do sirsich souvislosti. V neposledni řadě podklady pro zpětne přehodnoceni původně navržene struktury dovednosti poskytuji i výsledky řizených rozhovorů s 27 uciteli různe aprobace a delky profesni praxe. Na zavěr provedena mezioborova komparace výsledků dilcich analýz za jednotlive obory umožňuje hlubsi vhled do utvařeni a strukturovani oborových dovednosti a do procesu jejich implementace.
Pulsed Wire Magnetic-Field Measurement System on Permanent Magnet Quadrupoles

The adjustable strength permanent magnet quadrupoles used in this study were designed and manufactured at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). The permanent magnet quadrupole had a bore radius of 3.5 mm and an effective length of 50 mm. It was based on SmCo blocks and provided an effective gradient field from 325 T/m to 355 T/m. Typical methods for measuring the magnetic-field performance of quadrupole magnets are the stretched-wire and rotating coil measurement systems. A pulsed-wire measurement (PWM) system was used to measure the magnetic fields of an in-vacuum undulator at the NSRRC. The PWM system provides quick measurements of the magnetic fields and is easy to install on any permanent accelerator magnet. In this work, a PWM system was used to measure the magnetic-field integrals and the multipole errors of quadrupole magnets. Comparison was made of the magnetic field results obtained with PWM and stretched-wire measurement methods.
Experimental constraints on the serpentinization rate of fore‐arc peridotites: Implications for the upwelling condition of the slab‐derived fluid

To constrain the water circulation in subduction zones, the hydration rates of peridotites were investigated experimentally in fore‐arc mantle conditions. Experiments were conducted at 400–580°C and 1.3 and 1.8 GPa, where antigorite is expected to form as a stable serpentine phase. Crushed powders of olivine ± orthopyroxene and orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene were reacted with 15 wt % distilled water for 4–19 days. The synthesized serpentine varieties were lizardite and aluminous lizardite (Al‐lizardite) in all experimental conditions except those of 1.8 GPa and 580°C in the olivine + orthopyroxene system, in which antigorite was formed. In the olivine + orthopyroxene system, the reactions were interface‐controlled except for the reaction at 400°C, which was transport‐controlled. The corresponding reaction rates were 7.0 × 10−12 to 1.5 × 10−11 m s−1 at 500–580°C and 7.5 × 10−16 m2 s−1 at 400°C for the interface and transport‐controlled reactions, respectively. Based on a simple reaction‐transport model including these hydration rates, we infer that penetration of the slab‐derived fluid all the way through a water‐unsaturated fore‐arc mantle is allowed only when focused flow occurs with a spacing larger than 77–229 km in hot subduction zones such as Nankai and Cascadia. However, the necessary spacing is only 2.3–4.6 m in intermediate‐temperature subduction zones such as Kyushu and Costa Rica. These calculations imply that fluid leakage in hot subduction zones may occur after the fore‐arc mantle is totally hydrated, whereas in intermediate‐temperature subduction zones, leakage through a water‐unsaturated fore‐arc mantle may be facilitated.
Reducing motor evoked potential amplitude variability through normalization

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is used for in vivo assessment of human motor cortical excitability, with application of TMS pulses over the motor cortex resulting in muscle responses that can be recorded with electromyography (EMG) as Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs). These have been widely explored as potential biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders but methodological heterogeneity in acquisition, and inherent high variability, have led to constraints in reproducibility. Normalization, consisting in scaling the signal of interest to a known and repeatable measurement, reduces variability and is standard practice for between-subject comparisons of EMG. The effect of normalization on variability of MEP amplitude has not yet been explored and was assessed here using several methods. Three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and 40 MEPs were collected from the right hand in healthy volunteers, with a retest session conducted 4 to 8 weeks later. MEP amplitude was normalized using either external references (MVICs) or internal references (extreme MEPs). Iterative re-sampling of 30 normalized MEPs per subject was repeated 5,000 times to define, for each normalization method, distributions for between-subject coefficients of variation (CV) of the mean MEP amplitude. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess the impact of normalization on test–retest stability of MEP amplitude measurements. In the absence of normalization, MEPs collected from the right hand of 47 healthy volunteers were within reported values regarding between-subject variability (95% confidence intervals for the CV: [1.0567,1.0577]) and showed good temporal stability (ICC = 0.77). Internal reference normalization substantially reduced between-subject variability, by values of up to 64%, while external reference normalization had no impact or increased between-subject variability. Normalization with the smallest references reduced test–retest stability, with use of the largest references resulting in slight reduction or improvement of ICCs. Internal reference normalization using the largest MEPs was found to be robust to several sensitivity analyses. Internal, but not external, reference normalization reduces between-subject variability of MEP amplitude, and has a minimal impact on within-subject variability when conducted with the largest references. Additional research is necessary to further validate these normalization methods toward potential use of MEPs as biomarkers of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Comprehensive assessment of PM2.5 physicochemical properties during the Southeast Asia dry season (southwest monsoon)

A comprehensive assessment of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) compositions during the Southeast Asia dry season is presented. Samples of PM2.5 were collected between 24 June and 14 September 2014 using a high‐volume sampler. Water‐soluble ions, trace species, rare earth elements, and a range of elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon were analyzed. The characterization and source apportionment of PM2.5 were investigated. The results showed that the 24 h PM2.5 concentration ranged from 6.64 to 68.2 µg m−3. Meteorological driving factors strongly governed the diurnal concentration of aerosol, while the traffic in the morning and evening rush hours coincided with higher levels of CO and NO2. The correlation analysis for non sea‐salt K+‐EC showed that EC is potentially associated with biomass burning events, while the formation of secondary organic carbon had a moderate association with motor vehicle emissions. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) version 5.0 identified the sources of PM2.5: (i) biomass burning coupled with sea salt [I] (7%), (ii) aged sea salt and mixed industrial emissions (5%), (iii) road dust and fuel oil combustion (7%), (iv) coal‐fired combustion (25%), (v) mineral dust (8%), (vi) secondary inorganic aerosol (SIA) coupled with F− (15%), and (vii) motor vehicle emissions coupled with sea salt [II] (24%). Motor vehicle emissions, SIA, and coal‐fired power plant are the predominant sources contributing to PM2.5. The response of the potential source contribution function and Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory backward trajectory model suggest that the outline of source regions were consistent to the sources by PMF 5.0.
A Fiscal View on Analyzing the Impact of Organizing Mega Sporting Events

This paper focuses on explaining the Post Olympic Effect on mega sporting events which include the Summer Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. By applying the neoclassical one-sector aggregate production function model and Hanseni¦s threshold model (1996, 2000) to analyze the impact of organizing mega sporting events, the hypothesis of the Armey curve (1995) is investigated. Data for countries hosting the Summer Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup over the period from 1980 to 2008 are collected. The empirical results show that 7 of 13 countries support the hypothesis of the Armey curve and the Post Olympic Effect is found to occur in France and Italy with an over-expansion in government size as far as FIFA is concerned. The effect is partially supported in Greece, Spain, and South Korea as the Summer Olympic Games are considered with an over-expansion in government size.
A Quick reCAP: Discovering Cryptococcus neoformans Capsule Mutants

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause severe meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised hosts and is a leading cause of death in HIV/AIDS patients. This pathogenic yeast is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule that is critical for virulence and plays important roles in host-pathogen interactions. Understanding capsule biosynthesis is therefore key to defining the biology of C. neoformans and potentially discovering novel therapeutic targets. By exploiting methods to identify mutants deficient in capsule, June Kwon-Chung and other investigators have discovered numerous genes involved in capsule biosynthesis and regulation. Successful approaches have incorporated combinations of techniques including mutagenesis and systematic gene deletion; complementation and genetic screens; morphological examination, physical separation, and antibody binding; and computational modeling based on gene expression analysis. In this review, we discuss these methods and how they have been used to identify capsule mutants.