Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RANDOM FOREST REGRESSION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF LEAF AREA INDEX OF OKRA CROP USING GROUND BASED BISTATIC SCATTEROMETER

Abstract. The specular bistatic scattering mechanism of Okra's crop was analyzed using dual polarized ground based bistatic scatterometer system at X, C, and L bands in the specular direction with the azimuthal angle(θ = 0°). An outdoor Okra crop bed of area 10 × 10 m2 was specially prepared for the estimation of leaf area index (LAI) at HH and VV polarizations over the angular range of incidence angle 20° to 60° at steps of 10°. The regression analysis was done between bistatic specular scattering coefficients and crop biophysical parameter at X, C, and L bands for HH and VV polarization at different angle of incidence to determine the optimum parameters of bistatic scatterometer system. The linear regression analysis showed the high correlation at 40° angle of incidence for all bands and polarizations for the Okra crop. The computed scattering coefficients and measured LAI of Okra crop for the seven growth stages at 40° angle of incidence were interpolated into 61 data sets. The data sets were divided into input, validation and testing for the training and testing of the developed random forest regression (RF) model for the estimation of LAI for Okra crop. The estimated values of LAI of Okra crop, by the developed RF regression model, were found more closer to the observed values at X band for VV polarization with coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.928) and low root mean square error (RMSE = 0.260 m2/m2) in comparison to C and L bands.
Integrating Computation into Science Education

The Current Insights feature highlights diverse perspectives on education from beyond the LSE community. In this installment, I have chosen articles that offer different perspectives on the surge of interest in integrating computation into science learning. These articles present theoretical frameworks, propose methodological approaches, and raise critical questions about the purpose and impact of making computation foundational to science education.
Inaugural dropped head syndrome and camptocormia in inflammatory myopathies: a retrospective study

Abstract Objectives Inaugural axial muscle involvement, defined as dropped head syndrome (DHS) and/or camptocormia (CC), is poorly described in inflammatory myopathies (IM). This study aimed to further characterize IM patients with inaugural DHS/CC, their outcome and care management. Methods This retrospective study included IM patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2021. The main inclusion criterion was IM revealed by axial muscle deficit (DHS/CC). Results Twenty-seven patients were included; median (IQR) age at first symptoms was 66.0 years (55.5–75.0); 21 were female (77.8%). There were nine IBM, 33.3%, nine overlap myositis (OM, 33.3%), five DM, 18.5%, two immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myositis (7.4%), one focal myositis (3.7%) and one myositis with anti-Hu antibodies (3.7%). Age at first symptoms was ≤70 years in 16 patients (59.3%), including all DM patients and 8/9 OM patients (88.9%). In this group, partial remission of the disease was obtained in 9/16 (56.3%) and complete remission in 1/16 patients (6.3%); regression of DHS/CC was achieved in 3/16 patients (18.8%). Conversely, in the group of 11 patients aged >70 years at first symptoms, there were eight IBM (72.7%). Partial remission was obtained in 5/11 patients (45.5%), the disease was stable in 6/11 patients (54.5%); no complete remission was obtained nor regression of DHS/CC. Conclusion The analysis of IM patients with inaugural DHS/CC delineates two groups of patients according to the age at first symptoms in terms of clinical and outcome specificities, and proposes an adapted diagnostic and care management approach to prevent long-term complications.
30. Discourse Syntax

In this chapterwe present a perspective that places language use in discourse at the forefront of syntax. The central postulate of USAGE-BASED theory is that the basis for grammatical knowledge is speakers’ linguistic experience – the frequency and contexts of use of forms (Bybee 2010), in contradistinction to the view that language use and knowledge about language (or “performance” and “competence” cf. Chomsky 1965) are independent. These two perspectives on syntax have been broadly characterized as FUNCTIONAL (according to which grammatical structures conventionalize out of discourse patterns) and FORMAL (according to which explanations of linguistic structure are based on grammatical form, independent of function) (cf. Croft (1995) vs. Newmeyer (1998)). The discourse-based perspective on syntax sees the observation of spontaneous language use, rather than reflection about language use, as the appropriate way to obtain data for linguistic analysis. Conversation receives particular primacy in this area, as the form of language that we spend most of our time using, that which is acquired first and without any formal instruction, and that which provides the most systematic data for the analysis of grammar as it is produced in real time (Labov 1984; Chafe 1994; Ono and Thompson 1995; Briz 1998; Du Bois 2003; Schegloff 2007). Community-based research has further highlighted the need to discover patterns in sociolinguistically-sampled speech corpora rather than collections of individual data (e.g., Labov 1984). Functionalist analysis has given rise to a questioning of some basic formalist assumptions, such as the discreteness of categories, the notion that syntax, the lexicon, and phonology are separate components, and that grammar consists of generalizationsmade about abstract features. From a functionalist perspective, the following claims are made: linguistic categories (e.g., word classes, transitivity, subordination, etc.) are continua, with a prototype or exemplar structure; grammatical constructions combine syntactic, semantic, and phonological information;
Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children and Adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

Importance Familial hypercholesterolemia and multifactorial dyslipidemia are 2 conditions that cause abnormally high lipid levels in children, which can lead to premature cardiovascular events (eg, myocardial infarction and stroke) and death in adulthood. Objective The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in asymptomatic children and adolescents. Population Asymptomatic children and adolescents 20 years or younger without a known diagnosis of a lipid disorder. Evidence Assessment The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient and the balance of benefits and harms for screening for lipid disorders in asymptomatic children and adolescents 20 years or younger cannot be determined. Recommendation The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for lipid disorders in children and adolescents 20 years or younger. (I statement).
A Cognitive Therapy Intervention Programme Increases Working Memory in Students with Learning Disabilities

The present study aimed to determine whether students with Learning Disabilities (LD) are able to increase working memory capacity and information processing speed, after 12 sessions of a cognitive therapy intervention programme. Our sample consisted of 24 students with LD (10 males) aged 9-11 years joined the study. The students randomly assigned to an exercise group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). Working memory capacity and information processing speed were assessed by Daneman & Carpenter's Working Memory Test, at before and after the programme. Differences between the exercise and control groups in before and after the intervention were evaluated using ANCOVA tests. At the end of the study, exercise group showed an increase in working memory capacity, while no changes in information processing speed were observed. We observed no differences in the percentage of information processing speed between the exercise and control groups at before or after the intervention. Overall, 12 sessions of the cognitive therapy intervention was an effective programme for increasing working memory capacity in students with LD; however, no changes in information processing speed were observed.
Comparison of Parametric and Semiparametric Representations of Unobserved Preference Heterogeneity in Logit Models

The logit-mixed logit (LML) model is a very recent advancement in semiparametric discrete choice models. LML represents the mixing distribution of a logit kernel as a sieve function (polynomials, step functions, and splines, among many other variants). In the first part of this paper, we conduct Monte-Carlo studies to analyze the number of required parameters (e.g., polynomial order) in three LML variants to recover the true population distributions, and also compare the performance (in terms of accuracy, precision, estimation time, and model fit) of LML and a mixed multinomial logit with normal heterogeneity (MMNL-N). Our results indicate that adding too many parameters in LML may not be the best strategy to retrieve underlying taste heterogeneity; in fact, overspecified models generally perform worst in terms of BIC. We recommend to use neither minimum-BIC nor the most flexible specification, but we rather suggest to start with the same number of parameters as a parametric model (such as MMNL-N) while checking changes in the derived histogram of the mixing distribution. As expected, LML was able to recover bimodal-normal, lognormal, and uniform distributions much better than the misspecified MMNL-N. Computational efficiency makes LML advantageous in the process of searching for the final specification. In the second part of the paper, we estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) estimates of German consumers for different vehicle attributes when making alternative-fuel-car purchase choices. LML was able to capture the bimodal nature of WTP for vehicle attributes, which was not possible to retrieve using standard parametric specifications.
Investigating the potential benefit to a mesoscale NWP model of a microwave sounder on board a geostationary satellite

Observing the Earth with a microwave radiometer on board a geostationary satellite has generated interest for several decades. Such a mission would add a high observation rate in the microwave spectrum, offered by a geostationary orbit, to the sounding capabilities of the current observing system. The instrumental concept under study considers a microwave radiometer with six channels with different observation errors within the 183.31 GHz water vapour absorption band.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related complications: risk stratification, prevention, and management

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plays a crucial role in the management of pancreaticobiliary disorders. Although the ERCP technique has been refined over the past five decades, it remains one of the endoscopic procedures with the highest rate of complications. Risk factors for ERCP-related complications are broadly classified into patient-, procedure-, and operator-related risk factors. Although non-modifiable, patient-related risk factors allow for the closer monitoring and instatement of preventive measures. Post-ERCP pancreatitis is the most common complication of ERCP. Risk reduction strategies include intravenous hydration, rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and pancreatic stent placement in selected patients. Perforation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and prompt recognition and treatment of ERCP-related perforations are key to ensuring good clinical outcomes. Endoscopy plays an expanding role in the treatment of perforations. Specific management strategies depend on the location of the perforation and the patient’s clinical status. The risk of post-ERCP bleeding can be attenuated by preprocedural optimization and adoption of intra-procedural techniques. Endoscopic measures are the mainstay of management for post-ERCP bleeding. Escalation to angioembolization or surgery may be required for refractory bleeding. Post-ERCP cholangitis can be reduced with antibiotic prophylaxis in high risk patients. Bile culture-directed therapy plays an important role in antimicrobial treatment.
Early, Persistent Lymphopenia Is Associated With Prolonged Multiple Organ Failure and Mortality in Septic Children

OBJECTIVES: Sepsis-associated immune suppression correlates with poor outcomes. Adult trials are evaluating immune support therapies. Limited data exist to support consideration of immunomodulation in pediatric sepsis. We tested the hypothesis that early, persistent lymphopenia predicts worse outcomes in pediatric severe sepsis. DESIGN: Observational cohort comparing children with severe sepsis and early, persistent lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count < 1,000 cells/µL on 2 d between study days 0–5) to children without. The composite outcome was prolonged multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS, organ dysfunction beyond day 7) or PICU mortality. SETTING: Nine PICUs in the National Institutes of Health Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network between 2015 and 2017. PATIENTS: Children with severe sepsis and indwelling arterial and/or central venous catheters. INTERVENTIONS: Blood sampling and clinical data analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 401 pediatric patients with severe sepsis, 152 (38%) had persistent lymphopenia. These patients were older, had higher illness severity, and were more likely to have underlying comorbidities including solid organ transplant or malignancy. Persistent lymphopenia was associated with the composite outcome prolonged MODS or PICU mortality (66/152, 43% vs 45/249, 18%; p < 0.01) and its components prolonged MODS (59/152 [39%] vs 43/249 [17%]), and PICU mortality (32/152, 21% vs 12/249, 5%; p < 0.01) versus children without. After adjusting for baseline factors at enrollment, the presence of persistent lymphopenia was associated with an odds ratio of 2.98 (95% CI [1.85–4.02]; p < 0.01) for the composite outcome. Lymphocyte count trajectories showed that patients with persistent lymphopenia generally did not recover lymphocyte counts during the study, had lower nadir whole blood tumor necrosis factor-α response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, and higher maximal inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and ferritin) during days 0–3 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with severe sepsis and persistent lymphopenia are at risk of prolonged MODS or PICU mortality. This evidence supports testing therapies for pediatric severe sepsis patients risk-stratified by early, persistent lymphopenia.
Propranolol blocks the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive effects of methamphetamine in CD-1 mice

The present experiment examined the contribution of the β-adrenergic receptor system in mediating the unconditioned (i.e. pharmacological) and conditioned (i.e. learned) hyperactive effects of methamphetamine. To this end, mice underwent an 8-day conditioning procedure involving two different, alternating session types (chamber and home-cage days). On chamber days (1, 3, 5, and 7), mice were injected (intraperitoneally) with vehicle (dH2O) or propranolol (16 or 32 mg/kg) and were injected (subcutaneously) 30 min (min) later by either vehicle (saline; unpaired) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg; paired). On home-cage days (2, 4, 6, and 8), mice were injected (subcutaneously) with either vehicle (saline; paired) or methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg; unpaired) in their home cages. The test day for conditioned hyperactivity occurred 48 h after the last chamber day. Propranolol dose-dependently blocked the unconditioned and conditioned hyperactive effects of methamphetamine, implicating a role for the β-adrenergic system in mediating these effects of methamphetamine.
Pengujian Aktivitas Antiokidan Ekstrak Terpurifikasi Daun Teh Hijau dan Jati Belanda

Teh hijau memiliki nama spesies Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, family Theaceae dan Jati belanda ( Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.) termasuk kedalam family sterculiaceae. Ekstrakse dengan metode maserasi termodifikasi microwave dengan pelarut air. Purifikasi ekstrak dengan menggunakan pelarut dengan tingkat kepolaran yang berbeda-beda dimulai dengan petroleum eter, kloroform, etil asetat dan metanol. Pengujian aktivitas antioksidan dengan metode peredaman radikal DPPH. Hasil penelitian dipeoleh rendamen ekstrak terpurifikasi ekstrak teh hijau 13,33 % dan jati belanda 46,66 %. Pengujian antioksidan menunjukkan nilai IC50 jati belanda yaitu 10,13 ppm, lebih besar dibandingkan teh hijau yaitu 31,13 %.
IL-7R licenses a population of epigenetically poised memory CD8+ T cells with superior antitumor efficacy that are critical for melanoma memory

Significance Treatment options for patients with recurrent melanoma are limited and understanding antitumor memory is critical to prevent recurrence and develop improved therapies. Previous studies found that adoptively transferring antigen-specific T cells with memory traits provides improved clinical benefit, suggesting that antitumor memory T cells could be the ideal candidate for cell-based therapies. However, this population and its markers remain elusive. We analyzed tumor-specific T cells using single-cell approaches in a model of antimelanoma memory. Our results identify a CD8+ population selectively marked by IL-7R expression that drives antitumor memory and can be used as a potent therapy for melanoma. The antitumor function of this population can be epigenetically augmented to develop powerful adoptive cell therapies that could improve melanoma survival.
Chylomicrons Regulate Lacteal Permeability and Intestinal Lipid Absorption

Background: Lymphatic vessels are responsible for tissue drainage, and their malfunction is associated with chronic diseases. Lymph uptake occurs via specialized open cell-cell junctions between capillary lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), whereas closed junctions in collecting LECs prevent lymph leakage. LEC junctions are known to dynamically remodel in development and disease, but how lymphatic permeability is regulated remains poorly understood. Methods: We used various genetically engineered mouse models in combination with cellular, biochemical, and molecular biology approaches to elucidate the signaling pathways regulating junction morphology and function in lymphatic capillaries. Results: By studying the permeability of intestinal lacteal capillaries to lipoprotein particles known as chylomicrons, we show that ROCK (Rho-associated kinase)-dependent cytoskeletal contractility is a fundamental mechanism of LEC permeability regulation. We show that chylomicron-derived lipids trigger neonatal lacteal junction opening via ROCK-dependent contraction of junction-anchored stress fibers. LEC-specific ROCK deletion abolished junction opening and plasma lipid uptake. Chylomicrons additionally inhibited VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-A signaling. We show that VEGF-A antagonizes LEC junction opening via VEGFR (VEGF receptor) 2 and VEGFR3-dependent PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/AKT (protein kinase B) activation of the small GTPase RAC1 (Rac family small GTPase 1), thereby restricting RhoA (Ras homolog family member A)/ROCK–mediated cytoskeleton contraction. Conclusions: Our results reveal that antagonistic inputs into ROCK-dependent cytoskeleton contractions regulate the interconversion of lymphatic junctions in the intestine and in other tissues, providing a tunable mechanism to control the lymphatic barrier.
Determinants of 1-Year Unfavorable Outcomes of Intravenous Alteplase Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Objective Intravenous thrombolytic therapy has become the standard of treatment for eligible patients with ischemic stroke. However, outcomes after receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy vary widely. This study aims to investigate determinants of 1-year clinical outcomes of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods In a prospective, observational study, patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis were consecutively included, and clinical information and laboratory data were collected. The patients were followed up for 12 months after onset, and the 1-year clinical outcome was evaluated using modified Rankin Scale scores. A score ≥ 3 was defined as unfavorable functional outcome. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the determinants of the 1-year clinical outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke. Results A total of 222 patients with intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled, and we identified 58 patients (26.1%) had unfavorable functional outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.114, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.024–1.211, P = .012), atrial fibrillation (OR = 2.553, 95% CI: 1.086-6.002, P = .032), symptomatic stenosis occlusion (OR = 2.547, 95% CI: 1.269-5.110, P = .009), and baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR = 1.141, 95% CI: 1.074-1.212, P < .001) were independent predictors of unfavorable functional outcomes at 1 year. Conclusions In patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis, we found that MPVLR, atrial fibrillation, symptomatic stenosis occlusion, and baseline NIHSS score were significant predictors of unfavorable functional outcomes at 1 year.
Comprehensive analysis of the role of a four-gene signature based on EMT in the prognosis, immunity, and treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a biological process through which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, contributes to tumor progression and metastasis. However, a comprehensive analysis of the role of EMT-related genes in Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is still lacking. In this study, data were downloaded from available databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The association between differentially expressed EMT-related genes (EMT-RDGs) and LUSC prognosis, drug sensitivity, mutation, and immunity was analyzed using bioinformatics methods. In the results, Lasso and univariate Cox regression analyses identified four EMT-RDGs that were differentially expressed, and used to establish a prognostic model capable of distinguishing between high- and low-risk groups. Then, prognostic factors were identified by multivariate Cox regression analysis and used to construct a nomogram. The high-risk group had a significantly poorer prognosis than the low-risk group. The tumor immune environment was significantly different between the two groups, with the low-risk group exhibiting a better response to immunotherapy. In addition, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration prediction indicating that the constructed model could effectively predict sensitivity to chemotherapy. This study provides new reference for further exploration of new clinical therapeutic strategies for LUSC.