Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Open facet joint denervation as an adjunct in patients undergoing posterior lumbar decompression for spinal stenosis-a single blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background Facet radiofrequency denervation is a prevalent procedure used to try and relieve back pain. Despite the increasing use of this treatment, its effectiveness has been questioned. In consideration of the conflicting reports in the literature, we sought to conduct a trial to study the short-term effect of facet denervation in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy(s) to determine the short-term effect of adding facet denervation to patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy(s) where the anatomy was exposed, allowing an open technique to be used for the denervation. Methods Sixty patients with a diagnosis of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis who complained of neurogenic claudication and back pain for at least 3 months were randomized to undergo a lumbar laminectomy(s) either with or without facet joint denervation. Pain and self-reported function using a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were measured before surgery and at patients' 6-, 12- and 24-week follow-up clinic visit. Various parametric and non-parametric tests including the Chi-square, independent samples t-tests, the Mann Whitney U, Wilcoxon sign ranks, one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the data. The RMDQ scores were analyzed between groups and within groups over time. Results No differences in pain or functional ability were seen between groups. Both groups significantly improved in both pain and function from baseline to follow up times. Conclusions Our findings do not support the addition of facet denervation for short-term treatment of back pain in patients undergoing lumbar laminectomy(s) for spinal stenosis within our study design.
Development and Delivery of Species Distribution Models to Inform Decision-Making

Information on where species occur is an important component of conservation and management decisions, but knowledge of distributions is often coarse or incomplete. Species distribution models provide a tool for mapping habitat and can produce credible, defensible, and repeatable information with which to inform decisions. However, these models are sensitive to data inputs and methodological choices, making it important to assess the reliability and utility of model predictions. We provide a rubric that model developers can use to communicate a model's attributes and its appropriate uses. We emphasize the importance of tailoring model development and delivery to the species of interest and the intended use and the advantages of iterative modeling and validation. We highlight how species distribution models have been used to design surveys for new populations, inform spatial prioritization decisions for management actions, and support regulatory decision-making and compliance, tying these examples back to our model assessment rubric.
Stability of lactic acid bacteria and physico-chemical properties of pasteurized cow’s and goat’s milk

This study was done to determine the effect of pasteurization on the stability of lactic acid bacteria and its enzyme, and also its relation with physico-chemical properties in raw and pasteurized cow’s and goat’s milk. Most of the physico-chemical properties (pH, protein, ash and fat) were highest in pasteurized goat’s milk. The total viable count for plate count of the bacterial concentration was higher in both pasteurized cow’s and goat’s milk which were 2.48 log CFU/ml. This was followed by raw cow’s milk (1.59 log CFU/ml) and raw goat’s milk (0.65 log CFU/ml). There was no yeast and mould detected in both raw and pasteurized cow’s and goat’s milk, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was found significantly higher in raw milk compared to pasteurized milk and higher macronutrients (proximate composition) could be considered as one of the factors for the survival of LAB. Interestingly, based on API ZYM assay kit result, there were nine different enzymes were detected in all samples which were leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, cystine arylamidase, trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase and acid phosphatise. This result revealed that different types of lactic acid bacteria were detected in treated and non-treated milk samples produced by different animals.
Discovery Services in Information Rich Environments

Technology availability has significantly encouraged information sharing in organizational coordination processes distributed over various (geographically) locations. However, the huge amount of available information, the heterogeneous nature of the information resources, and the information seekers dynamically changing information needs make it increasingly difficult for organizations and information seekers to find the right information in the right format and at the right time. The objective of our research was to formulate a new design theory aimed at improving current ways of designing personalized multidisciplinary information seeking and retrieval systems (PMISRS). Taking advantage of valuable theoretical models and frameworks developed in the fields of information retrieval, information seeking, context-aware computing, situation awareness and service-oriented approaches, we explored a set of concepts and relationships required for modeling and designing PMISRS. These concepts and relationship are independent of any domain semantics. They can be used to represent the characteristics of a wide range of information intensive domains at a high level of abstraction. We tested and evaluated the applicability and the novelty of our design theory by applying it in a case study in which we built a prototype of a PMISRS in a typical multidisciplinary information intensive domain, crisis response in a Port.
Estimation of some genetic parameters under plant density in sunflower

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the performance of two varieties of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) with three plant densities (40, 50 and 60 thousands of plants.ha-1.) and estimate the phenotypic, genotypic and environment variation, phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, stability and genetic resultant, for two seasons. The experiments were conducted during spring and fall seasons of 2013, using factorial experiment within RCBD with four replicates. The results showed the superiority of Shimoos variety, it gives seed yield 3.345 t.ha-1 compared with Aqmar variety which gave 2.375 t.ha-1 in spring season, at fall season Shimoos variety gave 6.265 t.ha-1, while Aqmar variety gave 5.379 t.ha-1. The yield increased with plant density increasing, it ranged from 2.425 to 3.222t.ha-1 in spring season and from 4.396 to 5.822t.ha-1 in fall season. The values of phenotypic stability were different according to differences between varieties and seasons. The high value was 93.75% for disc area followed by 90.13% for seed yield t.ha-1 for Aqmar in spring season and the higher value for Shimoos variety was 94.15 for disc area followed by 90.66% and 90.55% for 100 seed weight and number of seeds in disc respectively. All values of genetic variation are higher than environment variation, and were closed to phenotypic variations for spring and fall seasons, except for seed number in disc in fall season which was less than environment variation. Hence the heritability for these traits were high and ranges from 63% for seed number in disc to 95% for shoot dry weight in spring season and from 33% for seed number in disc to 99.6% for disc area in fall season. So the genetic coefficient of variation for all traits is closed to phenotypic coefficient variation. The traits: plant growth rate and shoot dry weight for Aqmar, and leaf area index, plant growth rate and seeds yield for Shimoos showed non phenotypic stability in spring season. In fall season, seed yield t.ha-1 for Aqmar was the only trait non-phenotypic stable. The genetic results are ranged from 65.32% for shoot dry weight to 98.86% for seed number in disc for Aqmar and from 81.34% for seed number in disc to 114.79% for 100 seed weight for Shimoos in spring. In fall season, it ranges from 69.18 for leaf area index to 96.02% for seed number in disc for Aqmar and from 89.25% for seed number in disc to 107.32% for disc area for ShimoosIt is possible to conclude that Shimoos variety was superior in most of the traits. So we recommend planting Shimoos variety in the fall season, because it is more stable than Aqmar variety, while Aqmar variety can be cultivated in the spring season.
Text Detection in Born-Digital Images Using IT-LBP

Fine text detection plays a crucial role in a text detection algorithm as it is capable of removing the false alarms while keeping the detected text lines in coarse text detection. Good performance of a machine learning-based fine text detection heavily depends on the powerful feature to depict the characteristics of text. In this paper, a novel texture-based descriptor, named IT-LBP, is proposed by considering horizontal, vertical, diagonal and anti-diagonal directions of character strokes to better describe the texture of text. The new feature demonstrates its superiority by comparing with other texture-based features. The new feature is used to train an SVM classifier to further filter out non-text candidates. The ICDAR 2011 born-digital image dataset is used to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Following the same performance evaluation criteria, the proposed method outperforms the winner algorithm of the ICDAR 2011 Robust Reading Competition Challenge 1.
Therapeutic potential of omega fatty acids in breast cancer. Review

ResumenFONDO : el cáncer de mamá es la segunda causa de la muerte en las mujeres en los países y en el desarrollo, la Colombia y el alto porcentaje de los estrógenos, la terapia y el tratamiento hormonal Actualmente, la primera línea de tratamiento para los tumores de mama en mujeres posmenopáusicas es el letrozol, un inhibidor de la enzima aromática que evita la transformación de andrógenos en estrógenos. Al igual que otras terapias, Letrozol tiene efectos adversos en los pacientes, por lo tanto, hay una búsqueda de nuevas alternativas que disminuyan estos efectos secundarios. Además, los ácidos grasos omega (FA), como el potencial nutricional debido a su actividad antiinflamatoria o proinflamatoria como inductores de carcinogénesis. Sin embargo, in vitro , in vivo ya sea epidemiológico con respecto a las actividades preventivas o inductoras de carcinogénesis en animales y humanos, la estructura de la estructura de la omega FA. OBJETIVOS : esta revisión estructurada pretende mostrar las principales evidencias in vitro , in vivoy epidemiológicas del potencial quimioterapéutico de ω-3 y ω-6 FA en diferentes tipos de neoplasias, particularmente en el cáncer de mamá, uso en tratamientos individuales o combinados con tratamientos adecuados. Antineoplásticos. Metodos : esta revisión estructurada presenta los estudios más representativos se publica las últimas dos con más de ω-3 y ω-6 FA, cáncer de mama y las principales estrategias terapéuticas para esta neoplasia. Los hallazgos se presentan en la forma de la lógica en los temas para la descripción general de la omega y su potencial en los tratamientos para el cáncer de mamá. RESULTADOSLos pacientes con estrógenos y derivados de progesterona han mostrado predisposición a desarrollar el cáncer de mama después de dos años de terapia continua. Además, las capacidades omega con potencial conocido como nutracéutico han demostrado su potencial como adyuvantes en el tratamiento contra diferentes neoplasias como el cáncer hepático y de color. CONCLUSIONES : las terapias actuales para el cáncer de mama y su baja eficacia a largo plazo, para explorar nuevas alternativas en la que omega FA podría mejorar los medicamentos; Sin embargo, el metabolismo de la omega.
Unified observation co-existing volcanic sulphur dioxide and
sulphate aerosols using ground-based Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy

Abstract. We developed an optimal-estimation algorithm to simultaneously retrieve, for the first time, co-emitted volcanic gaseous SO2 and sulphate aerosols (SA) from groundbased FTIR observations. These effluents, both linked to magmatic/degassing and subsequent atmospheric evolution processes, have overlapping spectral signatures leading to mutual potential interferences when retrieving one species without considering the other.We show that significant overestimations may be introduced in SO2 retrievals if the radiative impact of co-existent SA is not accounted for, which may have impacted existing SO2 long-term series, e.g. from satellite platform. The method was applied to proximal observations at Masaya volcano, where SO2 and SA concentrations, and SA acidity were retrieved. A gas-to-particle sulphur partitioning of 400 and a strong SA acidity (sulphuric acid concentration: 65 %) where found, consistently with past in-situ observations at this volcano. This method is easily exportable to other volcanoes, to monitor magma extraction processes and the atmospheric sulphur cycle.
Literature Review Writing: A Study of Information Selection from Cited Papers

This paper reports the results of a small study of how researchers select and edit research information from cited papers to include in a literature review. This is part of a bigger content analysis and linguistic analysis of literature reviews. This study aims to answer the following questions: where do authors select information from the cited papers (e.g., Abstract, Introduction, Conclusion section, etc.)? What types of information do they select (e.g., research objectives, results, etc.), and How do they transform that information (e.g., paraphrasing, cut-pasting, etc.)? In order to answer these questions, we analyzed the literature review section of 20 articles from the Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 2001-2008, to answer these questions. Referencing sentences were mapped to source papers to determine their origin. Other features of the source information were also annotated, such as the type of information selected and the types of editing changes made to it before including into the literature review. Preliminary results indicate that authors prefer to select information from the Abstract, Introduction and Conclusion sections of the cited papers. This information is transformed through cut-paste, paraphrase or higher-level semantic transformations to describe the research objective, methodology and results of the referenced study. The choices made in selecting and transforming the source information appeared to be related to the two styles of literature review finally constructed – integrative and descriptive literature reviews.
An introduction to multisensor data fusion

Multisensor data fusion is an emerging technology applied to Department of Defense (DoD) areas such as automated target recognition, battlefield surveillance, and guidance and control of autonomous vehicles, and to non-DoD applications such as monitoring of complex machinery, medical diagnosis, and smart buildings. Techniques for multisensor data fusion are drawn from a wide range of areas including artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, statistical estimation and other areas. This paper provides a tutorial on data fusion, introducing data fusion applications, process models, and identification of applicable techniques. Comments are made on the state-of-the-art in data fusion.
Resynchronization of motion compensated video affected by ATM cell loss

Techniques for resynchronizing motion-compensation-based coders and strategies for the recovery of lost motion vectors are discussed. Leaky-difference resynchronization yields perceptually pleasing video sequences even at fairly high cell loss rates. Future study is needed to determine optimal data-dependent or network-state-dependent conditional resynchronization strategies. Lost motion vectors can be predicted accurately with either the median of intraframe neighboring vectors or the corresponding past-frame vector. The replacement of lost motion vectors with estimates such as these can significantly improve the quality of video affected by cell loss. <<ETX>>
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF 3D PRINTED TERRAIN ON TEACHING TOPOGRAPHY IN INTRODUCTORY EARTH SCIENCE LABS

subjects such as vertical exaggeration and what effect it may have on visual expectation versus the topographic reality in the field. Finally, the question of familiarity should be addressed; although many students in the test semesters were unlikely to be familiar with the topographic quadrangle and 3D terrain that they used in lab, the majority were likely familiar with the general topography of the region. Future research could examine how using an entirely unfamiliar region, or perhaps using an iconic region (like the Grand Canyon), impacts topography learning.
Word recognition using whole word and subword models

The problem of how to select and construct a set of fundamental unit statistical models suitable for speech recognition is addressed. A unified framework is discussed which can be used to accomplish the goal of creating effective basic models of speech. The performances of three types of fundamental units, namely whole word, phoneme-like, and acoustic segment units, in a 1109-word vocabulary speech recognition task are compared. The authors point out the relative advantages of each type of speech unit based on the results of a series of recognition experiments. <<ETX>>
On the design of mixed-mode simulators for modern VLSI circuits

This paper presents the basic principles in designing a mixed-mode simulator for analog/digital VLSI circuits. Much of the current interest in this subject stems from the increasing complexity and size of integrated circuits and also from the upward trend in integrating both digital and analog parts on a single chip. Current techniques are reviewed. Then, a coherent design is formulated and the various stages in its technical development are delineated.
The role of adaptation in generating monotonic rate codes in auditory cortex

In primary auditory cortex, slowly repeated acoustic events are represented temporally by phase-locked activity of single neurons. Single-unit studies in awake marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) have shown that a sub-population of these neurons also monotonically increase or decrease their average discharge rate during stimulus presentation for higher repetition rates. Building on a computational single-neuron model that generates phase-locked responses with stimulus evoked excitation followed by strong inhibition, we find that stimulus-evoked short-term depression is sufficient to produce synchronized monotonic positive and negative responses to slowly repeated stimuli. By exploring model robustness and comparing it to other models for adaptation to such stimuli, we conclude that short-term depression best explains our observations in single-unit recordings in awake marmosets. Using this model, we emulated how single neurons could encode and decode multiple aspects of an acoustic stimuli with the monotonic positive and negative encoding of a given stimulus feature. Together, our results show that a simple biophysical mechanism in single neurons can allow a more complex encoding and decoding of acoustic stimuli.
New digital signal processing algorithms for frequency deviation measurement

Two digital signal processing algorithms for frequency deviation measurement are introduced. The algorithms are derived using a new signal processing scheme based on quadratic forms of signal samples. These algorithms provide high measurement accuracy over a wide range of frequency changes. One is designed for measurements of small deviations of the nominal frequency, whereas the other one measures off-nominal frequency deviations. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated using computer simulation tests. <<ETX>>
Physiological and anatomical investigation of the auditory brainstem in the Fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata)

The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is a small (10–20 g) native marsupial endemic to the south west of Western Australia. Currently little is known about the auditory capabilities of the dunnart, and of marsupials in general. Consequently, this study sought to investigate several electrophysiological and anatomical properties of the dunnart auditory system. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were recorded to brief (5 ms) tone pips at a range of frequencies (4–47.5 kHz) and intensities to determine auditory brainstem thresholds. The dunnart ABR displayed multiple distinct peaks at all test frequencies, similar to other mammalian species. ABR showed the dunnart is most sensitive to higher frequencies increasing up to 47.5 kHz. Morphological observations (Nissl stain) revealed that the auditory structures thought to contribute to the first peaks of the ABR were all distinguishable in the dunnart. Structures identified include the dorsal and ventral subdivisions of the cochlear nucleus, including a cochlear nerve root nucleus as well as several distinct nuclei in the superior olivary complex, such as the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body, lateral superior olive and medial superior olive. This study is the first to show functional and anatomical aspects of the lower part of the auditory system in the Fat-tailed dunnart.
Speciation and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida Isolates in Various Clinical Samples in a Doctors’ Diagnostic Centre, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 05 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com Candida species form part of normal flora of human beings. In the presence of predisposing factors, these can cause different infections with varied severity. Over the last few months fungal infection rates have increased and a change is seen in their epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility pattern. Hence this study was conducted to learn the distribution of Candida species in various samples and their antifungal susceptibility pattern. A total number of 60 Candida isolates were included in the study. Identification was done by colony morphology and Gram stain. Speciation was carried out by Germ tube test, urease test, chlamydoconidia production test, colony characteristics on HiCromeTM Candida Differential Agaragar medium, sugar assimilation test, sugar fermentation test and Vitek2 compact (Biomerieux) using ID-YST 21342 cards. Antifungal testing was done on Vitek2 compact using AST YS08 cards which included fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin-b, caspofungin, micafungin and flucytosine. 60 Candida isolates were included in this study. Samples from which Candida species were isolated were urine (62%), vaginal swab (16.5%), pus (11.5%), Ear swab (5%),Endo tracheal (1.5%), and sputum(3.5%). Isolates from males and females were 30% and 70% respectively. Isolates from geriatric age group (>65 years) and adults (18-65 years) were 52% and 48% respectively. Isolates from samples received from In-Patient Department (IPD), Out-Patient Department (OPD) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were 58%, 34% and 8% respectively. Out of all isolates, Candida albicans was 58%, Candida tropicalis 20%, Candida glabrata 10%, Candida parapsilosis 9% and Candida krusei 3%. All Candida species (except Candida glabrata) showed 100% sensitivity to amphotericin-b and caspofungin. Sensitivity to azole group of drugs was 100% among Non-Albicans Candida (NAC) except C. glabrata and C. krusei and more than 90% among C. albicans. C. albicans was the commonest isolate followed by C. tropicalis. Overall also, C. albicans were predominant as compared to NAC. All Candida isolates except (C. glabrata) showed good sensitivity to all antifungals. Antifungal resistance among certain NAC is on the rise. The commonest underlying risk factor for Candida infection was diabetes mellitus followed by bronchial asthma on steroid treatment. K e y w o r d s Speciation, Antifungal susceptibility,