Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Big Five Personality Domains and Their Facets: Empirical Relations to Problematic Use of Video Games, Social Media and Alcohol

Relatively common behavioral patterns in adolescence are problematic use of video games (PG), social media (PSMU) or alcohol (PAU). According to theoretical models, personality traits are relevant for Internet-related problematic behaviors. In the present study, associations of the Big Five personality domains and their 15 facets with PG, PSMU and PAU were compared for the first time. Therefore, 492 adolescents (mean age: 16.83 years) were examined with the established Big Five Inventory-2 as well as other standardized questionnaires on PG, PSMU and PAU. For statistical evaluation, correlation analyses were used as bivariate procedures and multiple regression analyses as multivariable procedures. At the personality domain level, consistently in bivariate and multivariate analyses, statistically significant associations between higher Negative Emotionality (Neuroticism) and PG, PSMU and PAU as well as between lower Open-Mindedness and PG and PAU were observed. At the level of facets, higher Anxiety (facet of Negative Emotionality) was related to PG and PSMU as well as lower Aesthetic Sensitivity (facet of Open-Mindedness) and lower Productiveness (facet of Conscientiousness) to PG. Considering the overlap of 95% confidence intervals, very comparable patterns of associations between PG, PSMU and PAU and the Big Five and their facets were observed in adolescence (indicating similarities in etiology).
Development of Conventional Multiplex PCR Assays for the Identification of 21 West Palaearctic Biting Midge Taxa (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Belonging to the Culicoides Subgenus Culicoides, including Recently Discovered Species and Genetic Variants

In 2006 and 2011, two biting-midge-borne arboviruses of high veterinary importance emerged for the first time in Central Europe: bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Members of the native Obsoletus and Pulicaris Groups were soon identified as the potential vectors. However, despite several years of extensive taxonomic research on these groups, correct species identification and differentiation from closely related species are still challenging due to isomorphic features, the existence of cryptic species and obsolete PCR identification assays. At present, 17 valid West Palaearctic biting midge species of the Culicoides subgenus Culicoides, including the Pulicaris Group, are known, and additional genetic variants have been described. For many of them, no identification tests are available, and their roles in disease transmission have remained unknown. In this study, 465 GenBank DNA sequence entries of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene were used to design PCR primers as specific genetic markers for 21 West Palaearctic biting midge taxa of the Culicoides subgenus Culicoides. During their validation with DNA from field-collected biting midges and synthetic DNA from biting midge genotypes not available from the field, all primers detected their target taxa, while few showed cross-reactions. Our results indicate the great potential of the new primers in PCR assays and clearly demonstrate the suitability of the COI gene as an excellent marker for the identification of different biting midge species and genetic variants of the Culicoides subgenus Culicoides.
New avenues for confocal surface plasmon microscopy

The principal strength of the confocal microscope for biological imaging lies its ability to detect only light that emerges at close to the focal plane, eliminating light originating from different focal planes. We discuss how this confocal property has considerable advantage in the detection of surface plasmons, since it defines the path of the detected radiation, thus greatly improving the lateral resolution and also the measurement precision. In this paper we show how a spatial light modulator in the back focal plane allows one to generate a whole range of new imaging properties that confer great flexibility on the system. The technique allows one to measure surface wave velocity, surface wave attenuation and perform rapid single shot measurement and effect common path operation.
Localization algorithm of model parameters real-time estimate based on RSSI optimized

Received signal strength indicator(RSSI) ranging technology is a low-cost distance measurement technique.To reduce the RSSI measurement error because of the influence of environment effectively,and solve the problem of high ranging error which is brought by using the fixed signal propagation model in the traditional algorithms,a localization algorithm of model parameters real-time estimation based on RSSI optimized is put forward.This algorithm processes the all RSSI measured values that the node received by adopting the Gauss model firstly,and determines the minimal region where the location node is placed in according to RSSI values secondly,then environment parameters are estimated by the cooperation of selected beacon nodes,which is placed in the minimal region.The parameters of the signal propagation model is adjusted dynamically according to the actual situation,which makes the ranging precision exacter,thus the positional error is reduced.It verifies that the proposed algorithm can provide higher localization accuracy from the simulation results by comparing with the other algorithms.
Prediction of therapeutic value of new drugs approved by health Canada from 2011−2020: A cross-sectional study

Objectives To examine whether a combination of three characteristics of new drugs – review type, outcome of premarket trials (surrogate or clinical) and first-in-class is associated with significant therapeutic value. Design Cross-sectional analysis of new drugs approved by Health Canada from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020. Setting Canada. Participants New drugs approved by Health Canada for which therapeutic evaluations, trial outcomes and first-in-class status was available. Main outcome measures Distribution of therapeutic value (major, moderate, little to no) depending on how many of the three characteristics were present for each drug. Results Health Canada approved 340 drugs of which 243 had data available for analysis. If all three characteristics were present 10 out of the 20 drugs had a major therapeutic rating. Conversely if none were present only 2 drugs out of 37 had a major therapeutic rating. Conclusion This study introduces a new evaluation method for determining whether new drugs will have major therapeutic value that appears to be more successful than relying only on the type of review that drugs receive.
Prediction of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Clinically Node-Negative T1 and T2 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Using Supervised Machine Learning Approach

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is generally considered an indolent cancer. However, patients with cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) have a higher risk of local recurrence. This study evaluated and compared four machine learning (ML)-based classifiers to predict the presence of cervical LNM in clinically node-negative (cN0) T1 and T2 PTC patients. The algorithm was developed using clinicopathological data from 288 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic central neck dissection, with sentinel lymph node biopsy performed to identify lateral LNM. The final ML classifier was selected based on the highest specificity and the lowest degree of overfitting while maintaining a sensitivity of 95%. Among the models evaluated, the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) classifier was found to be the best fit, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.72, and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, F1 and F2 scores of 98%, 27%, 56%, 93%, 72%, and 85%, respectively. A web application based on a sensitivity-optimized kNN classifier was also created to predict the potential of cervical LNM, allowing users to explore and potentially build upon the model. These findings suggest that ML can improve the prediction of LNM in cN0 T1 and T2 PTC patients, thereby aiding in individual treatment planning.
Effect of Tip Clearance on the Periodic Static Pressure on the Casing Over the Impeller of a Centrifugal Compressor

The objective of the present paper is to develop a suitable technique to measure the periodic variation of static pressure on the casing over the rotor of a centrifugal compressor. The periodic pressure data is acquired employing the technique called PLEAT. Experiments are carried out in a low speed centrifugal compressor with unshrouded rotor. Twelve holes are provided on the casing in which adapters are attached, where the transducer is inserted. The pressure transducer measures pressure in terms of voltage. The voltage output is very low. The output voltage is amplified and converted to digital values for further processing of data. Sample results are presented and interpreted. From the measured static pressure, tip clearance flows can be easily identified.
Acoustic comparison of /t/ glottalization and phrasal creak

In American English, the presence of creaky voice can derive from distinct linguistic processes, including phrasal creak (prolonged irregular voicing, often at edges of prosodic phrases) and coda /t/ glottalization (when the alveolar closure for syllable-final /t/ is replaced by or produced simultaneously with glottal constriction). Garellek (2015) showed that listeners can differentiate words in phrasal creak from those with /t/ glottalization, which suggests that the creaky voice derived from phrasal creak and /t/ glottalization differ acoustically. To test this, we analyzed vowels preceding syllable-final /t/ in the Buckeye Corpus, which is comprised of audio recordings of spontaneous speech from 40 speakers of American English. Tokens were coded for presence of phrasal creak (prolonged irregular voicing extending beyond the target syllable) and /t/ glottalization (whether the /t/ was produced only with glottal constriction). Spectral measures of voice quality, including both harmonic and noise measure.
A New RP-HPLC Method Development and Validation for the Simultaneous Estimation of Amlodipine and Valsartan in Tablet Dosage Forms

A simple, accurate, rapid and precise isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of Amlodipine and Valsartan in tablets. The chromatographic separation was carried out on an cosmosil packed column 5c-18 ms II (250×4.6 i.d) with a mixture of acetonitrile: methanol: phosphate buffer pH 3 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid (20:50:30, v/v) as mobile phase; at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. UV detection was performed at 239 nm. The retention times were 4.915 and 8.056 min. for Amlodipine and Valsartan respectively. Calibration plots were linear (r2>0.998) over the concentration range 10–60 μg/ml for Amlodipine and 10–60 μg/ml Valsartan. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, linearity, and sensitivity. The proposed method was successfully used for quantitative analysis of tablets. No interference from any component of pharmaceutical dosage form was observed. Validation studies revealed that method is specific, rapid, reliable, and reproducible. The high recovery and low relative standard deviation confirm the suitability of the method for routine determination of Amlodipine and Valsartan in bulk drug and tablet dosage form.
Application of Gas Chromatographic analysis to RPC detectors in the ATLAS experiment at CERN-LHC

Starting from 2007 a large number (1200) Resistive Plate Chambers (RPC) detectors will be used as muon trigger detectors in the ATLAS Experiment at CERN-LHC accelerator. RPC are gaseous detector in which the quality and the stability of the gas mixture as well as the design of the gas supplying system, play a fundamental role in their functioning. RPC are foreseen to work more than ten years in the high radiation environment of ATLAS and the gas mixture acts really as a "lifeguard" for the detectors. For this reason a great attention has been devoted to the gas studies in order to optimize RPC performance, robustness and reliability in a high radiation environment. In this paper we describe the work done to decide how to supply and control in an optimal way the gas to the detectors, in order to ensure their best performance for a long time. The activity, based on Gas Chromatographic (GC) analysis, has been carried on a sample of final RPC working in radiation conditions much more intense than those foreseen for the ATLAS experiment. This has been possible using a high Gamma ray radiation facility available at CERN (GIF). The gas has been supplied using a system similar but at a reduced scale with respect to the final one and including: a recirculation circuit, a humidification module and a three stages purification subsystem.
Assessment of measurement agreement for longitudinal/functional data

modate a curvature feature in data and reduce ill-specified model error, nonparametric mean function is added in the linear mixed model. Based on the model, we proposed a time-varying agreement index, namely functional Concordance Correlation Coefficient(FCCC). The FCCC measures a degree of total-, inter-, intra-raters agreement at each measurement occasion. The indices are robust against a functional form of population characteristic and informative about the source of disagreements. FCCCs suggest directions on how to improve agreement among multiple raters based on a detail source of disagreement over time. We compare the performance of FCCCs with the Unified Concordance Correlation Coefficients for longitudinal/functional data.
The Prognostic Impact of ABO Blood Group in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Hepatectomy

Simple Summary The aim of the present study is to determine the prognostic impact of ABO blood types on the survival of a Japanese population of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection. We retrospectively analyzed 480 patients with HCC who had R0 resection between 2010 and 2020. Outcomes for type A (n = 173) and non-type A (n = 173) groups after surgery were compared using 1-to-1 propensity score matching to control for variables. Recurrence-free survival (RFS; hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.58–0.98, p = 0.038) and overall survival (OS; HR: 0.67, 95% Cl: 0.48–0.95, p = 0.023) for patients with blood type A were both significantly decreased relative to non-type A patients. Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that patients with HCC who have blood type A had a worse prognosis than those with non-type A blood. ABO blood type may have a prognostic impact for patients with HCC after hepatectomy. Abstract Background/Purpose: The effect of the ABO blood group on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. The aim of the present study is to determine the prognostic impact of ABO blood types on the survival of a Japanese population of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection. Methods: Patients with HCC (n = 480) who underwent an R0 resection between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival outcomes were investigated according to ABO blood type (A, B, O, or AB). Outcomes for type A (n = 173) and non-type A (n = 173) groups after surgery were compared using 1-to-1 propensity score matching to control for variables. Results: In the study cohort, 173 (36.0%), 133 (27.7%), 131 (27.3%), and 43 (9.0%) of participants had Type A, O, B, and AB, respectively. Type A and non-type A patients were successfully matched based on liver function and tumor characteristics. Recurrence-free survival (RFS; hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.58–0.98, p = 0.038) and overall survival (OS; HR: 0.67, 95% Cl: 0.48–0.95, p = 0.023) for patients with blood type A were both significantly decreased relative to non-type A patients. Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that patients with HCC who have blood type A had a worse prognosis than those with non-type A blood. Conclusion: ABO blood type may have a prognostic impact on patients with HCC after hepatectomy. Blood type A is an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for recurrence-free and overall survival (RFS and OS) after hepatectomy.
Novel Mutation in the Feline NPC2 Gene in Cats with Niemann–Pick Disease

Simple Summary Niemann–Pick disease (NP) type C is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene. It is characterized by cholesterol accumulation in the lysosomes and late endosomes. Herein, we studied the molecular basis of Siamese and Japanese domestic (JD) cats that were previously diagnosed with NP. Sanger sequencing was performed on all exons of the two genes using genomic DNA extracted from the paraffin-embedded tissues of these cats. As a result, a missense mutation (NPC2:c.376G>A, p.V126M) was identified as a candidate pathogenic mutation in both types of cats. Several pathogenicity and stability predictors showed that this mutation was deleterious and severely decreased NPC2 protein stability. The Siamese cat was homozygous and the JD cat was heterozygous for this mutation. No other exonic NPC2 mutations were detected in the JD cat; however, a homozygous splice variant (c.364-4C>T) was identified, which is not known to be associated with this disease. Abstract Niemann–Pick disease (NP) type C is an autosomal, recessive, and inherited neurovisceral genetic disorder characterized by the accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and glycolipids in cellular lysosomes and late endosomes, with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. This study aimed to determine the molecular genetic alterations in two cases of felines with NP in Japan, a Siamese cat in 1989 and a Japanese domestic (JD) cat in 1998. Sanger sequencing was performed on 25 exons of the feline NPC1 gene and 4 exons of the feline NPC2 gene, using genomic DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue specimens. The sequenced exons were compared with reference sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. The identified mutations and alterations were then analyzed using different prediction algorithms. No pathogenic mutations were found in feline NPC1; however, c.376G>A (p.V126M) was identified as a pathogenic mutation in the NPC2 gene. The Siamese cat was found to be homozygous for this mutation. The JD cat was heterozygous for the same mutation, but no other exonic NPC2 mutation was found. Furthermore, the JD cat had a homozygous splice variant (c.364-4C>T) in the NPC2 gene, which is not known to be associated with this disease. The NPC2:c.376G>A (p.V126M) mutation is the second reported pathogenic mutation in the feline NPC2 gene that may be present in the Japanese cat population.
A FRAMEWORK FOR THE DERIVATION AND VERIFICATION OF VARIABLES ACCEPTANCE SAMPLING PLANS

Acceptance sampling is a method for verifying quality or performance requirements using sample data. Variables acceptance sampling is an alternative to attributes acceptance sampling, which in many instances requires significantly smaller samples. In this paper, we consolidate the literature on variables acceptance sampling by providing a unified exposition of the approach used to develop such plans. From within this framework, we review the derivation of plans for exponential, normal, gamma, Weibull, and Poisson random variables. We verified these derivations on a set of test problems.
Correlation between lattice vibrations with charge, orbital, and spin ordering in the layered manganite Pr0.5Ca1.5MnO4

A Raman spectroscopy study on the half-doped single-layer manganite Pr0.5Ca1. 5MnO4 has been performed in combination with x-ray diffraction, resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat measurements. The results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of phenomena that arise from correlations between lattice, charge, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom. The appearance of a new Raman mode at 366 cm(-1), a visible jump in the resistivity, and a doubling of the unit cell signify the onset of charge/orbital ordering at 320 K. This transition is also marked by a sharp peak in the magnetic susceptibility and specific heat, suggesting strong spin-charge coupling. Our structural analysis suggests that the charge disproportionation below 320 K is small. Orbital fluctuations below 320 K are evidenced by the evolution with temperature of the Jahn-Teller Raman mode (situated at 533 cm(-1) at 320 K). A coincidence between the onset of two-dimensional short-range antiferromagnetic order at 215 K and anomalies in both the temperature dependence of the Jahn-Teller mode and the Mn-O bonding pattern in the ab plane indicate that the short-range magnetic order plays a role in stabilizing the orbital fluctuations. Below the Neel temperature of 127 K, the softening of both the 366 cm(-1) mode and an octahedral tilting mode at 214 cm(-1) mark the onset of three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering. The estimated spin-phonon coupling constants for these two modes are 2.6 and 6.8 cm(-1), respectively. This study highlights the remarkable coupling of charge, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom to the lattice in single-layer Pr0.5Ca1. 5MnO4.
Reducing Wave-Induced Microwave Water-Level Measurement Error with a Least Squares–Designed Digital Filter*

AbstractA microwave water-level sensor, the Design Analysis model H-3611i, will soon enter service at tide stations operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) as part of the National Water Level Observation Network. CO-OPS tests include a multisensor deployment at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility at Duck, North Carolina, to evaluate microwave water-level measurement error over a wide range of Atlantic Ocean sea states. In situ precision and accuracy of processed (6-min average) water level is found to depend on sea state in addition to data processing methods and sensor operating mode. Estimates over selected 6-h measurement periods show that a degree-two polynomial successfully models the increase in sensor standard error with increasing zero-moment (Hm0) wave height but with differences in rate of error increase dependent on the application of a prefilter and choice of sensor operating mode.
Left ventricular systolic synchrony and R-R interval in patients with coronary artery disease

Assess the impact of R-R interval on LV systolic synchrony using simultaneous electrocardiographic (ECG) and real-time three dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in a defined population with coronary artery disease (CAD). 277 patients underwent coronary angiography (CAG), ECG and RT3DE. R-R internal was quantified by simultaneous ECG. Time to peak systolic longitudinal strain (Tssl) on 17 LV segment were quantified by four-dimensional (4D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and manual measured. The R-R interval of 277 subjects ranged from 363.13 ms to 1425.00 ms, with a median of 849.49 ms (quartile range, 764.00–961.32 ms). Spearman correlation analyses indicated that R-R interval was positively associated with Tssl-Basal-A. With the independent predictors of R-R interval utilizing multiple regression analysis, Tssl -Apical-S (β=0.325, p=0.000), Smoking status (β=0.141, p=0.013), and Tssl-Basal-AL (β=0.151, p=0.014) were independently associated with the R-R interval. Univariate logistic regression for the presence of higher R-R internal (the median 849.49 ms was set the cutoff value) were indicated that the risk for the presence of higher R-R internal (odds ratio (OR), 1.009; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.002-1.017, p=0.009). In multiple regression analyses, smoking status (OR, 1.943; 95% CI, 1.119-3.375, p=0.018), Tssl -Basal-AL (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000-1.004, p=0.043), Tssl -Mid-IS (OR, 1.008; 95% CI, 1.003-1.013, p=0.004), and Tssl -Apical-S (OR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.004-1.016, p=0.002) remained independently associated with the risk of higher R-R internal in the population. Tssl on 17 LV segment are associated with the relationship between R-R interval and left ventricular systolic synchrony.