Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robustness and Strategies of Adaptation among Farmer Varieties of African Rice (Oryza glaberrima) and Asian Rice (Oryza sativa) across West Africa

This study offers evidence of the robustness of farmer rice varieties (Oryza glaberrima and O. sativa) in West Africa. Our experiments in five West African countries showed that farmer varieties were tolerant of sub-optimal conditions, but employed a range of strategies to cope with stress. Varieties belonging to the species Oryza glaberrima – solely the product of farmer agency – were the most successful in adapting to a range of adverse conditions. Some of the farmer selections from within the indica and japonica subspecies of O. sativa also performed well in a range of conditions, but other farmer selections from within these two subspecies were mainly limited to more specific niches. The results contradict the rather common belief that farmer varieties are only of local value. Farmer varieties should be considered by breeding programmes and used (alongside improved varieties) in dissemination projects for rural food security.
Performance Comparison of Energy Efficiency of Transmitter in MIMO Decode-and-Forward Relay Channels

: Cooperative communication has achieved major research concern due to its ability to enlarge system coverage and improve spectrum efficiency. Consider, a transmit cooperative beamforming design, for the scenario with multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) decode-and-forward (DF) relay channel with a direct source to destination link. The achievable information rate (bits/s) for a given transmit signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a particular beamforming scenario is calculated based on the optimal beamforming vectors obtained. Results show that when multiple numbers of antennas are deployed at all the nodes the achievable information rate is higher. Also, the energy efficiency of the transmitter is improved when the destination is equipped with multiple number of antennas.
Low power sequential circuits using improved clocked adiabatic logic in 180nm CMOS processes

The paper recommends an adiabatic flip-flops and sequential circuits functioning on low voltages, which are realized with ICAL (Improved Clocked Adiabatic Logic) circuits. An ICAL mode-10 counter through a single phase power clock is realized. This circuit is realized on 0. 18μm CMOS technology. With the simulated results, it has been observed that, the adiabatic flip-flops that operate on medium-voltage region can not only keep reasonable speed but also reduce greatly energy consumptions.
Influence of admission body temperature on stroke mortality.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The influence of body temperature on stroke outcome remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic role of admission body temperature on short-term and long-term mortality in a retrospective cohort study of patients with acute stroke. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 509 patients with acute stroke, admitted to a tertiary hospital between July 1, 1995, and June 30, 1997, was studied. The relationship between admission body temperature and mortality both in-hospital and at 1-year mortality was evaluated. Body temperature on admission was classified as hypothermia (</=36.5 degrees C), normothermia (>36.5 degrees C and </=37.5 degrees C), and hyperthermia (>37.5 degrees C). Logistic regression and proportional hazards function analysis were performed after adjustment for clinical predictors of stroke outcome. RESULTS In ischemic stoke, mortality was lower among patients with hypothermia and higher among patients with hyperthermia. The odds ratio for in-hospital mortality in hypothermic versus normothermic patients was 0.1 (95% CI, 0.02 to 0.5). The relative risk for 1-year mortality of hyperthermic versus normothermic patients was 3.4 (95% CI, 1.6 to 7.3). A similar but nonsignificant trend for in-hospital mortality was seen among patients with hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS An association between admission body temperature and stroke mortality was noted independent of clinical variables of stroke severity. Hyperthermia was associated with an increase in 1-year mortality. Hypothermia was associated with a reduction in in-hospital mortality.
Clinical conceptualization of workaholism

Workaholism is a behavioral addiction that, while widely studied, is still lacking a definition shared by the scientific community. The aim of this theoretical paper is to propose a new model that is at the same time comprehensive and easy to test, with an approach based on a critical analysis of the literature. We give particular attention to reviews of literature and theoretical and empirical papers published since 2011, because even the most recent reviews do not fully encompass the last few years. We proposed a comprehensive model, which defines workaholism as a clinical condition that is characterized by both externalizing (i.e., addiction) and internalizing (i.e., obsessive-compulsive) symptoms and by low levels of work engagement; from this there arises the distinction between disengaged and engaged workaholics (i.e., a less impairing subtype of workaholism). Finally, we propose DSM-like criteria for workaholism and a research agenda for future studies.
Energy-minimizing two black holes initial data

An attempt to construct the ‘‘ground state’’ vacuum initial data for the gravitational field surrounding two black holes is presented. The ground state is defined as the gravitational initial data minimizing the ADM mass within the class of data for which the masses of the holes and their distance are fixed. To parametrize different geometric arrangements of the two holes (and, therefore, their distance), we use an appropriately chosen scale factor. A method for analyzing the variations of the ADM mass and the masses (areas) of the horizons in terms of gravitational degrees of freedom is proposed. The Misner initial data are analyzed in this context: it is shown that they do not minimize the ADM mass.
Orthogonal signal modeling and operational computation of AMS circuits for fast and accurate system simulation

We present a general mathematical model of signals for efficient and accurate simulation of analog and mixed signal (AMS) systems. It relies on signal coding and parameterization and allows heterogeneous system specification at different abstraction levels, as well as, the operational computation of continuous time systems' dynamical behavior. In particular, we derive a matrix for operational subdivision of continuous signals and use it to capture accurately the interaction between continuous and discrete time systems. A key advantage of this signal representation is that continuous signal monitoring and analysis can be performed more efficiently, speeding up system verification. We implemented the proposed modeling approach in SystemC AMS 2.0 to exploit the dynamic reactive behavior of TDF MoC for accurate synchronization between the digital and analog system parts. With the example of a PLL system we evaluate the capabilities of our implementation to cope with heterogeneous designs at different design abstraction levels. The experimental results show a significant simulation speedup for high accurate models.
Serious Treatment Related Adverse Drug Reactions amongst Anti-Retroviral Naïve MDR-TB Patients

Background Globally treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remain poor and this is compounded by high drug toxicity. Little is known about the influence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) on treatment outcomes in South Africa. Methods We evaluated the impact of severe ADRs among a prospective cohort of MDR-TB patients in South Africa (2000–2004). The HIV-infected study participants were anti-retroviral naïve. Results Of 2,079 patients enrolled, 1,390 (66.8%) were included in this analysis based on known HIV test results (39.1% HIV-infected). At least one severe ADR was reported in 83 (6.9%) patients with ototoxicity being the most frequent ADR experienced (38.9%). Conclusions We found that being HIV-infected but antiretroviral naïve did not increase occurrence of SADRs in patients on second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. Early screening and proactive management of ADRs in this patient population is essential, especially given the rollout of decentralized care and the potential for overlapping toxicity of concomitant MDR-TB and HIV treatment.
Non-linear scaling of oxygen consumption and heart rate in a very large cockroach species (Gromphadorhina portentosa): correlated changes with body size and temperature

SUMMARY Although well documented in vertebrates, correlated changes between metabolic rate and cardiovascular function of insects have rarely been described. Using the very large cockroach species Gromphadorhina portentosa, we examined oxygen consumption and heart rate across a range of body sizes and temperatures. Metabolic rate scaled positively and heart rate negatively with body size, but neither scaled linearly. The response of these two variables to temperature was similar. This correlated response to endogenous (body mass) and exogenous (temperature) variables is likely explained by a mutual dependence on similar metabolic substrate use and/or coupled regulatory pathways. The intraspecific scaling for oxygen consumption rate showed an apparent plateauing at body masses greater than about 3 g. An examination of cuticle mass across all instars revealed isometric scaling with no evidence of an ontogenetic shift towards proportionally larger cuticles. Published oxygen consumption rates of other Blattodea species were also examined and, as in our intraspecific examination of G. portentosa, the scaling relationship was found to be non-linear with a decreasing slope at larger body masses. The decreasing slope at very large body masses in both intraspecific and interspecific comparisons may have important implications for future investigations of the relationship between oxygen transport and maximum body size in insects.
Relationship between Unconstrained Arm Movements and Single-Neuron Firing in the Macaque Motor Cortex

The activity of single neurons in the monkey motor cortex was studied during semi-naturalistic, unstructured arm movements made spontaneously by the monkey and measured with a high resolution three-dimensional tracking system. We asked how much of the total neuronal variance could be explained by various models of neuronal tuning to movement. On average, tuning to the speed of the hand accounted for 1% of the total variance in neuronal activity, tuning to the direction of the hand in space accounted for 8%, a more complex model of direction tuning, in which the preferred direction of the neuron rotated with the starting position of the arm, accounted for 13%, tuning to the final position of the hand in Cartesian space accounted for 22%, and tuning to the final multijoint posture of the arm accounted for 36%. One interpretation is that motor cortex neurons are significantly tuned to many control parameters important in the animal's repertoire, but that different control parameters are represented in different proportion, perhaps reflecting their prominence in everyday action. The final posture of a movement is an especially prominent control parameter although not the only one. A common mode of action of the monkey arm is to maintain a relatively stable overall posture while making local adjustments in direction during performance of a task. One speculation is that neurons in motor cortex reflect this pattern in which direction tuning predominates in local regions of space and postural tuning predominates over the larger workspace.
Lane estimation and departure warning using multilayer laserscanner

A new strategy combining three approaches to perform lane detection based on laserscanner data is presented. These approaches are based on detection of the lane markings, interpretation of measurements at the road boundary or analysis of the trajectory of the other road users, for the period of medium or high volume of traffic. Combining these approaches a reliable position within the lane can be generated to generate information for applications like lane departure warning. This application is possible in addition to automatic emergency braking, precrash, ACC Stop&Go or pedestrian protection using a single laserscanner.
Similarity-Based Fusion of MEG and fMRI Reveals Spatio-Temporal Dynamics in Human Cortex During Visual Object Recognition

Every human cognitive function, such as visual object recognition, is realized in a complex spatio-temporal activity pattern in the brain. Current brain imaging techniques in isolation cannot resolve the brain’s spatio-temporal dynamics because they provide either high spatial or temporal resolution but not both. To overcome this limitation, we developed a new integration approach that uses representational similarities to combine measurements from different imaging modalities – magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional MRI (fMRI) - to yield a spatially and temporally integrated characterization of neuronal activation. Applying this approach to two independent MEG-fMRI data sets, we observed that neural activity first emerged in the occipital pole at 50-80ms, before spreading rapidly and progressively in the anterior direction along the ventral and dorsal visual streams. These results provide a novel and comprehensive, spatio-temporally resolved view of the rapid neural dynamics during the first few hundred milliseconds of object vision. They further demonstrate the feasibility of spatially unbiased representational similarity based fusion of MEG and fMRI, promising new insights into how the brain computes complex cognitive functions.
Pharmacogenetics may Influence Tacrolimus Daily Dose, but not Urinary Tubular Damage Markers in the Long-Term Period after Renal Transplantation

Summary Background: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 (6986A>G) and ABCB1 (3435C>T) polymorphisms on tacrolimus (TAC) dosage regimen and exposure. Second, we evaluated the influence of TAC dosage regimen and the tested polymorphisms on renal oxidative injury, as well as the urinary activities of tubular ectoenzymes in a long-term period after transplantation. Also, we aimed to determine the association between renal oxidative stress and tubular damage markers in the renal transplant patients. Methods: The study included 72 patients who were on TAC based immunosuppression. Allele-specific PCR was used for polymorphism determination. We measured the urinary thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive carbonyl derivates (RCD) in order to evaluate oxidative injury, as well as the urinary activities of ectoenzymes (N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, aminopeptidase N and dipeptidyl peptidase IV) to evaluate tubular damage. Results: The carriers of CYP 3A5*1 allele required statistically higher daily doses of TAC than CYP *3/*3 carriers, as well as the carriers of C allele of ABCB1 gene compared to those with TT genotype. Also, there were no differences in TBARS, RCD and the activities of ectoenzymes between the patients’ genotypes. Our results showed significant correlations between urinary TBARS and RCD and the ectoenzymes’ activities. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that CYP 3A5 and ABCB1 3435 polymorphism may affect TAC daily doses, but not the drug’s tubular toxicity. Furthermore, tubular damage may be associated with increased renal oxidative stress.
Using Intrusive Advising to Improve Student Outcomes in Developmental College Courses

Using intrusive advising principles and the four Cs framework, the Strong-Start Program was developed and implemented to improve student outcomes in developmental math, reading, and writing courses. An intrusive advising protocol was used to help students recognize, adopt, and engage in the behaviors needed to complete instructor-assigned outside-of-class work. The intervention focused on two aspects of intrusive advising: (a) the objective to increase student academic success and (b) a set of predetermined goals to be accomplished in each academic advising session. The proportion of students who passed Strong-Start supported developmental math courses was significantly (z = 2.0, p = .02) greater than the proportion who passed Instructor-Matched comparison developmental math courses (49.33% vs. 33.67%), with a percentage difference of 15.66%, a 46.5% increase relative to the comparison group. The odds ratio (OR = 1.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–3.64) of students passing a Strong-Start supported developmental math course were 1.9 times (p = .03) that of students in unsupported Instructor-Matched Comparison courses.
Nerve Growth Factor and Neurotrophin-3 Differentially Regulate the Proliferation and Survival of Developing Rat Brain Oligodendrocytes

There is increasing evidence that the neurotrophins, particularly nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), play a role in the regulation of glial development in the CNS. Recent studies have shown that the proliferation of optic nerve-derived O2A progenitors (OLPs) is potentiated by NT-3 in combination with platelet-derived growth factor, whereas NT-3 alone supports the survival of their differentiated progeny (Barres et al., 1994). In this study, we have examined the expression of the high-affinity neurotrophin receptors (trks) and the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 in developing oligodendrocytes (OLs). In addition, we have examined the effects of NGF and NT-3 on proliferation and survival of OLPs and OLs, respectively. TrkC, the high-affinity NT-3 receptor, and trkA, the high-affinity NGF receptor, are both expressed from the early OLP through the mature OL stage. The truncated form of trkB, lacking the tyrosine kinase domain, and the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor p75 are expressed at low levels in OLPs and are upregulated in mature OLs. NGF and NT-3 both induced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in OLPs and in OLs. In both OLPs and OLs, NT-3 sustained the activation of MAPK more than NGF. NT-3 enhanced the proliferation of OLPs and supported the survival of OLs. By contrast, unless coadministered with FGF-2, NGF did not exhibit mitogenic effects on OLPs but did enhance the survival of differentiated OLs. Our data demonstrate the presence of functional trkA and trkC in developing OLs and indicate that both NGF and NT-3 have a broad spectrum of developmental actions on cells of the OL lineage.
Rethinking Traditional Methods of Survey Validation

ABSTRACT It is commonly believed that self-report, survey-based instruments can be used to measure a wide range of psychological attributes, such as self-control, growth mindsets, and grit. Increasingly, such instruments are being used not only for basic research but also for supporting decisions regarding educational policy and accountability. The validity of such instruments is typically investigated using a classic set of methods, including the examination of reliability coefficients, factor or principal components analyses, and correlations between scores on the instrument and other variables. However, these techniques may fall short of providing the kinds of rigorous, potentially falsifying tests of relevant hypotheses commonly expected in scientific research. This point is illustrated via a series of studies in which respondents were presented with survey items deliberately constructed to be uninterpretable, but the application of the aforementioned validation procedures nonetheless returned favorable-appearing results. In part, this disconnect may be traceable to the way in which operationalist modes of thinking in the social sciences have reinforced the perception that attributes do not need to be defined independently of particular sets of testing operations. It is argued that affairs might be improved via greater attention to the manner in which definitions of psychological attributes are articulated and greater openness to treating beliefs about the existence and measurability of psychological attributes as hypotheses rather than assumptions—in other words, as beliefs potentially subject to revision.
The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale

The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale Objective: The main aim of the current study was to test the psychometric properties of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS), both the long (27-item) and short (9-item) polytomous versions, which are survey instruments that measure Internet gaming disorder (IGD) on the basis of the 9 criteria from the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Method: Participants were evaluated by applying the 27-item IGDS and the Young’s Internet Addiction TestShort Form (YIAT-SF). The psychometric properties of the IGDS were tested through an online survey completed by volunteers who are university students in Ankara, active Internet game players, as well as individuals who are in the e-mail database of an Istanbul-based company which organizes e-sports tournaments. Results: A single component on the nine-item IGDS reached the criterion of an Eigenvalue greater than one (5.926), and the variance accounted for by this component was 65.85%. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the structural validity (i.e., the dimensional structure) of the nine-item IGDS was satisfactory. This short version of the scale was also reliable (i.e., internally consistent with Cronbach’s α of 0.931) demonstrating good criterion-related validity, as indicated by positive correlations with time spent playing games, and the YIATSF score. Correlation between the 27-item IGDS and the nine-item IGDS was very high (n=457; r=0.988, p<0.001). Test-retest correlation for both the 27-item IGDS (n=261, r=0.759) and nine-item IGDS (n=261, r=0.756) were high. When the DSM-5 threshold for diagnosis (experiencing 5 or more criteria) was applied, the prevalence of disordered gamers ranged between 3.9% and 9.2%, according to the cutoff point chosen for each item. Conclusion: The results of the validity and reliability testing of the Turkish version of the nine-item IGDS were found to be similar to the findings of the original scale. These findings support the Turkish versions of the nineitem IGDS, which measure a unidimensional construct as being valid and reliable IGD screening instrument in determining IGD which can become problematic among young adults and also for the purposes of early diagnosis and use in other relevant research.
The effect of maturation on adaptations to strength training and detraining in 11–15‐year‐olds

To investigate how maturity status modifies the effects of strength training and detraining on performance, we subjected 33 young men to 8 weeks of strength training twice per week followed by 8 weeks without training. Changes in performance tests were analyzed in three maturity groups based on years from/to age of predicted peak height velocity (PHV): pre‐PHV (−1.7 ± 0.4 years; n = 10), mid‐PHV (−0.2 ± 0.4 years; n = 11), and post‐PHV (1.0 ± 0.4 years; n = 12). Mean training effects on one repetition maximum strength (3.6–10.0%), maximum explosive power (11–20%), jump length (6.5–7.4%), and sprint times (−2.1% to −4.7%) ranged from small to large, with generally greater changes in mid‐ and post‐PHV groups. Changes in force–velocity relationships reflected generally greater increases in strength at faster velocities. In the detraining period, the pre‐PHV group showed greatest loss of strength and power, the post‐PHV group showed some loss of sprint performance, but all groups maintained or improved jump length. Strength training was thus generally less effective before the growth spurt. Maintenance programs are needed for most aspects of explosive performance following strength training before the growth spurt and for sprint speed after the growth spurt.