Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral indices for the detection of salinity effects in melon plants

Water scarcity and soil salinization affect large semiarid agricultural areas throughout the world. The maintenance of agricultural productivity implies better agricultural practices and a careful selection of resistant crops. A proper monitoring of the physiological status of plants can lead to better knowledge of plant nutritional requirements. Visible and near-infrared (VNIR) radiometry provides a non-destructive and quantitative method to monitor vegetation status by quantifying chemical properties using spectroscopic techniques. In this study, the capability of VNIR spectral measurements to detect salinity effects on melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants was tested. Melon plants were cultivated under multiple soil salinity conditions (electrical conductivity, (EC)1:5: 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 dS m-1). Spectral data of leaves were transformed into vegetation indices indicative of the physiological status of the plants. The results showed differences for N (p < 0.05), K and Na content (p < 0.01) due to salinity suggesting different degrees of salt stress on the plants. Specific leaf area increased with salinity levels (p < 0.001). The capabilities of VNIR radiometry to assess the influence of soil salinity on melon physiology using a non-destructive method were demonstrated. A normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI750-705), and the ratio between water index (WI) and normalized difference vegetation index (WI/NDVI750-705) showed significant relationships (p < 0.01) with the salinity. Therefore, this method could be used for in-situ early detection of salinity stress effects.
Glycyrrhizin and serum testosterone concentrations in male patients with type 2 diabetes.

Extracts of licorice root are widely used in many countries as flavoring agents, breath fresheners, and candy. Licorice consumption had been reported to decrease serum testosterone concentrations (1). An explanation for this result was that glycyrrhizic acid, the active component of licorice, interfered with 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which catalyzes the conversion of androstenedione to testosterone. We were very interested in the effects of glycyrrhizic acid to decrease serum testosterone concentrations. Glycyrrhizin, which is extracted from the roots of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis in Japan and reportedly reduces the progression of liver disease to hepatocellular carcinoma. …
Predicting who will benefit from behavioral marital therapy.

On a tente de discerner le role des preferences d'affiliation/independance dans la prediction de l'efficacite d'une therapie de couple. On a utilise une technique de traitement des donnees permettant de predire les changements dans la satisfaction conjugale, 1) immediatement apres traitement; 2) et apres un suivi de six mois
Screening for human papillomavirus‐driven oropharyngeal cancer: Considerations for feasibility and strategies for research

INTRODUCTION Over the past 25 years, human papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to be an important cause of oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) in many world regions, with the great majority of HPV-driven OPC being caused by HPV type 16 (HPV-16). HPV currently is overtaking tobacco exposure as the leading cause of OPC in some countries with a high human development index, including the United States and some European and Latin American countries, in which both the incidence rate of OPC and the attributable fraction (AF) of HPV are rising. In the United States, the incidence of OPC currently is greater than that of cervical cancer, a consequence of the increasing incidence of OPC as well as reductions in the incidence of cervical cancer due to the success achieved by screening. This shift highlights the need for parallel preventive measures. Nevertheless, arguments against additional research regarding HPV-driven OPC screening have been made and include the promise of primary prevention through HPV vaccination, the currently low incidence rates, and favorable outcomes with current therapy compared with non-HPV-driven head and neck cancers. The lack of an identifiable clinical precursor lesion, insufficient diagnostic technology with which to detect small lesions, and the absence of de-escalated clinical management for patients with early-stage cancer or precancer are current barriers to screening for OPC. This article is not intended to address all the questions related to the validity and timeliness of screening for HPV-driven OPC but instead to raise important questions, guide discussions, highlight deficits and/or confusion in the existing literature, and propose needed steps in the research agenda. The following general aspects of a screening program are considered and applied to HPV-driven OPC: 1) a sufficiently high incidence, either in the general population or an enriched high-risk population; 2) a sensitive and specific screening tool or biomarker; 3) appropriate methods for accurately diagnosing the cancer (or precancer) among individuals who screen positive; 4) effective treatment for patients with early-stage lesions; and 5) evidence of mortality and/or morbidity reductions.
Spatial context learning approach to automatic segmentation of pleural effusion in chest computed tomography images

Pleural effusion is an abnormal collection of fluid within the pleural cavity. Excessive accumulation of pleural fluid is an important bio-marker for various illnesses, including congestive heart failure, pneumonia, metastatic cancer, and pulmonary embolism. Quantification of pleural effusion can be indicative of the progression of disease as well as the effectiveness of any treatment being administered. Quantification, however, is challenging due to unpredictable amounts and density of fluid, complex topology of the pleural cavity, and the similarity in texture and intensity of pleural fluid to the surrounding tissues in computed tomography (CT) scans. Herein, we present an automated method for the segmentation of pleural effusion in CT scans based on spatial context information. The method consists of two stages: first, a probabilistic pleural effusion map is created using multi-atlas segmentation. The probabilistic map assigns a priori probabilities to the presence of pleural uid at every location in the CT scan. Second, a statistical pattern classification approach is designed to annotate pleural regions using local descriptors based on a priori probabilities, geometrical, and spatial features. Thirty seven CT scans from a diverse patient population containing confirmed cases of minimal to severe amounts of pleural effusion were used to validate the proposed segmentation method. An average Dice coefficient of 0.82685 and Hausdorff distance of 16.2155 mm was obtained.
Pulsed Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording

In thermally assisted magnetic recording, one of the most important issues is the reliability of the near-field transducer and the magnetic recording head. When the near-field transducer transfers the optical energy to the media through coupling from the waveguide, it inevitably heats itself and its surrounding area, such as the magnetic recording head, which tends to cause long-term performance degradation. To mitigate the problem, one possible solution is to apply a pulsed laser beam instead of a constant one. In this paper, the performance characteristics of the pulsed thermally assisted magnetic recording are analyzed by modeling. Simulation results show that similar recording performance can be achieved through a much reduced laser beam duty cycle (~ 30%).
Grey Wolf Optimization for Active Power Dispatch Planning Problem Considering Generator Constraints and Valve Point Effect

This research proposed an application of swarm inspired new meta heuristic algorithm Grey Wolf Optimization to solve active power dispatch problem imposing valve point effect and generator constraints. Grey Wolf optimization is based on mathematical approach whose solution convergence inspired by the leadership hierarchy and hunting mechanism of grey wolves. It explores search space as a multi-level decision mechanism and does not require gradient for search path. This approach converged to global optimal solution in spite of the non linearity added by valve point effect while solving the fitness function. Optimal scheduling of generators to minimize the total operating cost coupled with generator constraints and valve point effect to match load demand is implemented with proposed method and. Exploration, Computation and Convergence power are evaluated to track the computational efficiency of the proposed technique. The presented technique is tested on different test cases comprises three, six and thirteen test systems incorporating valve point effect. Test results are compared with other nature and bio inspired algorithms presented in literature . Analysis shows cut throat results as total operating cost turns out to be minimum as compared to other techniques which infers the effectiveness of proposed method and encourage to further explore the potential of proposed method to solve complex optimization problems in active power dispatch planning area.
Platform-agnostic Low-intrusion Optical Data Exfiltration

Information leakage through covert channels is a growing and persistent threat, even for physical perimeters considered as highly secure. We study a new approach for data exfiltration using a malicious storage device which subtly transmits data through blinking infrared LEDs. This approach could be used by an attacker trying to leak sensitive data stored in the device, such as credentials, cryptographic keys or a small classified document. An ideal application for this approach is when an attacker is capable of sneaking a malicious device inside a protected perimeter and has remote control over a camera inside such perimeter. The device can then collect information and transmit directly to the attacker, without the need of recovering the device to obtain the captured information, erase evidence or prevent a forensic investigation. We discuss techniques for improving communication efficiency up to 15 bits per second per LED, and possible countermeasures for mitigation.
Simulation results for permutation Trellis codes using M-ary FSK

It has previously been shown that using the combination of permutation codes and M-ary frequency shift keying has special properties and error correcting capabilities that are suitable for the noise types encountered in power line communications. Furthermore, the permutation codes are used to map onto the outputs of a binary convolutional code to form permutation trellis codes. We investigate and compare the performance of different permutation trellis codes when used with M-FSK for power line communications.
Remodeling of Centrosomes in Intraspecies and Interspecies Nuclear Transfer Porcine Embryos

Remodeling of donor cell centrosomes and the centrosome-associated cytoskeleton is crucially important for nuclear cloning as centrosomes are the main microtubule organizing centers that play a significant role in cell division and embryo development. Centrosome dysfunctions have been implicated in various diseases including cancer and metabolic disorders and may also play a role in developmental abnormalities that are frequently seen in cloned animals. In the present studies we investigated microtubule organization and the reorganization and fate of the integral centrosome protein γ-tubulin and the centrosome-associated protein centrin in intraspecies (pig oocytes; pig fetal fibroblast cells) and interspecies (pig oocytes; mouse fibroblast cells) reconstructed embryos by using antibodies to γ-tubulin or GFP-centrin transfected mouse fibroblasts as donor cells. Microtubules were stained with antibodies to α-tubulin. In-vitro-fertilized oocytes and nuclear transfer (NT) reconstructed oocytes were sequentially analyzed at different developmental stages. Epi-fluorescence results revealed mitotic spindle abnormalities in NT embryos during the first cell cycle (39.4%, 13/33) which were significantly higher than those in IVF embryos (17.0%, 7/41). The abnormalities in IVF embryos are due to polyspermy while the abnormalities in NT embryos are due to donor cell centrosome dysfunctions. In the NT embryos with abnormal microtubule and centrosome organization, γ-tubulin staining revealed multipolar centrosome foci while DAPI staining showed misalignment of chromosomes. In intraspecies and interspecies embryos the GFP-centrin signal was detected until 3 hrs after fusion. GFP-centrin was not detected at 8 hrs after NT which is consistent with previous results using anti-centrin antibody staining in intraspecies NT porcine embryos. These data indicate that 1) abnormalities in microtubule and centrosome organization are associated with nuclear cloning at a higher rate than observed in IVF embryos; 2) centrosome and cytoskeletal abnormalities in IVF embryos are due to polyspermy while centrosome and cytoskeletal abnormalities in NT embryos are due to donor cell centrosome dysfunctions; and 3) GFP-centrin of the donor cell centrosome provides a reliable marker to follow its fate in intraspecies reconstructed embryos.
Effect of prolonged exercise in a hypoxic environment on cardiac function and cardiac troponin T

Background: Exercise induced cardiac fatigue has recently been observed after prolonged exercise. A moderate to high altitude has been suggested as a possible stimulus in the genesis of such cardiac fatigue. Objective: To investigate if exercise induced cardiac fatigue and or cardiac damage occurs after prolonged exercise in a hypoxic environment. Methods: Eight trained male triathletes volunteered for the study. Each completed two 50 mile cycle trials, randomly assigned from normobaric normoxia and normobaric hypoxia (15% Fio2). Echocardiographic assessment and whole blood collection was completed before, immediately after, and 24 hours after exercise. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functional variables were calculated, and serum was analysed for cardiac troponin T. Results were analysed using a two way repeated measures analysis of variance, with α set at 0.05. Results: No significant differences were observed in either systolic or diastolic function across time or between trials. Cardiac troponin T was detected in one subject immediately after exercise in the normobaric hypoxic trial. Conclusions: A 50 mile cycle trial in either normobaric normoxia or normobaric hypoxia does not induce exercise induced cardiac fatigue. Some people, however, may exhibit minimal cardiac damage after exercise in normobaric hypoxia. The clinical significance of this is yet to be elucidated.
Low-dose prednisolone has a CD4-stabilizing effect in pre-treated HIV-patients during structured therapy interruptions (STI).

BACKGROUND A favorable development of CD4+ T cells was firstly noticed in therapy-naive HIV-patients without antiretroviral therapy (ART) taking 5 mg prednisolone daily. This observation led to the prescription of prednisolone during structured therapy interruptions (STI). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of low dose prednisolone on pre-treated patients during STI. METHODS A retrospective analysis including all pre-treated patients with prednisolone therapy for > or =6 months during STI has been conducted. The patients with prednisolone onset right at the beginning of STI (n = 95) were compared with all patients without prednisolone therapy during their first 6 months of STI (n = 49). Patients with prednisolone were divided into two subgroups: the ongoing STI-group and the patients with ART-restart. Additionally, the development of all 33 patients from the control group having started prednisolone later during STI was documented. Irrespective of the time of initiation of prednisolone therapy during STI, the development of CD4+ T cells in all patients with prednisolone for >12 months during STI was analyzed (n = 108). RESULTS The mean daily CD4+ T cell decrease during STI was significantly less pronounced in the prednisolone-group (-0.50 vs. -0.74 cells/day; p = 0.0361). The daily CD4+ T cell decline of the 33 patients from the control subgroup including patients with a later onset of prednisolone therapy was only -0.11 during a mean time of 715 days under prednisolone. The CD4+ T cell count of the STI-patients treated with prednisolone for >12 months (n = 108; mean: 837 days +/- 64.6 (366-1,756 days)) decreased from 677/microl to 504/microl. - 51 of 81 patients (63%) included in 2-year-analysis showed stable CD4+ T cell counts (mean daily CD4+ T cell decrease: 0.08) and continued ART interruption. CONCLUSION This retrospective evaluation provides evidence that low dose corticosteroids are associated with less decrease of CD4+ T cell count in pre-treated HIV patients resulting in prolongation of the potential time of structured treatment interruptions for many HIV patients.
The Use of Mosquito-Net Cloths as Prosthesis in Inguinal Hernia Repair: An Experience in Southern Sudan

Inguinal hernia is one of the commonest medical problems in Africa and the treatment via open repair is considered as one of the most affordable and secure procedures. In the industrialized countries, the gold standard treatment is represented by placing a prosthesis which is usually a mesh, made of alloplastic material, such as polypropylene. In developing countries, a piece of nylon mosquito-net without insecticide is a cheaper and safe alternative as prosthesis. This study shows the security of implant of nylon mosquito-net in 70 patients, operated on with Lichtenstein’s tension-free technique, and performed in rural hospitals of Southern Sudan. The easy use of analyzed low-cost material and the demonstrated safety of these sterilized prostheses are two important factors that make them excellent solutions in poor and rural areas such as Southern Sudan. Objective: the aim of this article is to demonstrate that prostheses, made of well analyzed low-cost material, can be cost-effective and a valid solution for surgical inguinal hernia repair in both poor and rural developing areas.
MIT Open Access

This study explores the role of sketching when designers are creating fast, preliminary prototypes during hands on design-and-build activities. Many studies have noted the value of both sketching and the building of preliminary prototypes in the early stages of the design process. In a typical design scenario, exploratory sketches are made before prototypes are fabricated. However, in certain cases, the differences in the design exploration value of a sketch and a simple, preliminary prototype may not always be clear. In this study, three conditions for a design-and-built activity were compared: a control group (allowed to freely sketch throughout), a limited sketch group (only allowed to sketch at the beginning) and a no sketch group. The study was conducted twice, using two different prototyping materials each time. One that is assembly only (an Erector set) and one that requires both part fabrication and assembly (foam core). The performance of the prototypes, the type and quality of the sketches, and the relationship between sketches and prototypes were evaluated. Results for this study suggest that fast, preliminary prototypes are equally as useful for design exploration as sketching in building simple mechanisms, though results would likely be different for more complex design tasks.
Cutaneous vascular control in the arms of women with postmastectomy oedema

The control of forearm skin blood flow was examined in the swollen arms of twelve women with oedema caused by breast cancer treatment. The swollen arm was compared with the opposite unaffected (control) arm. Using laser Doppler flux (LDF) and continuous finger blood pressure (BP) measurements, vascular control was tested by applying a range of provocations previously shown to alter cutaneous vascular resistance (CVR) in healthy subjects. The tests and the accepted mechanism were: post‐ischaemic hyperaemia (locally mediated vasodilatation), inspiratory gasp and cool reflex (both sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction), arm dependency (locally mediated vasoconstriction), and core heat load (sympathetically mediated vasodilatation). CVR was calculated as BP/(LDF‐biological zero). Three differences between the control and swollen arms were identified. (i) The laser Doppler biological zero signal was significantly higher on the swollen side (P = 0.005, Student's paired t test). (ii) Baseline LDF was significantly lower on the swollen side (P = 0.002), and apparent CVR correspondingly higher. (iii) Cumulative reactive hyperaemia (area under the LDF curve above baseline) was significantly less on the swollen side (P = 0.03), although peak flux was not significantly different. Inspiratory gasp, cool reflex, arm dependency and core heat load produced changes of similar magnitude in both arms. It appears that sympathetic neural control and local vasoconstrictor control in arm dependency are normal in arm lymphoedema but that locally mediated vasodilator control is impaired. In addition, baseline skin blood flow may be reduced in this condition. The results provide no support for impairment of vascular tone as a contributory factor to the oedematous state.
‘Volume-expanded’ hypertension: the effect of fluid overload and the role of the sympathetic nervous system in salt-dependent hypertension

It is widely believed that salt-dependent hypertension is induced and maintained by expansion of intravascular fluid volume resulting from excessive retention of sodium. The purpose of this brief article is to present a series of arguments in support of the thesis that volume overload per se does not raise the arterial blood pressure. Several investigators in the 1960s and 1970s reported that excessive retention of salt – regardless of cause – leads to sympathetic activation mediated by the effects of the Na ion on &agr;2-adrenergic receptors located mostly in the brainstem. In recent years, the cloning and characterization of &agr;2-adrenergic receptors subtypes permitted differentiation of their hemodynamic effects via use of salt loading of nephrectomized animals submitted to genetic engineering or gene treatment. These studies indicate that sodium alters the balance between the sympathoinhibitory &agr;2A-adrenergic receptors and the sympathoexcitatory &agr;2B-adrenergic receptors, leading to a hyperadrenergic hypertensive state unrelated to volume overload.
Hybrid Tree Frogs: Vocalizations of Males and Selective Phonotaxis of Females

Male hybrids of reciprocal crosses between gray and pinewoods tree frogs (Hyla chtysoscelis x H. femoralis) that were raised to sexual maturity in the laboratory produced distinctive vocalizations. Hybrid females preferred the calls of hybrids to calls of gray tree frogs and also chose synthetic calls with a pulse repetition rate typical of the hybrids in preference to calls with a rate typical of pinewoods tree frogs.
Anthology of the Development of Radiation Transport Tools as Applied to Single Event Effects

This anthology contains contributions from eleven different groups, each developing and/or applying Monte Carlo-based radiation transport tools to simulate a variety of effects that result from energy transferred to a semiconductor material by a single particle event. The topics span from basic mechanisms for single-particle induced failures to applied tasks like developing websites to predict on-orbit single event failure rates using Monte Carlo radiation transport tools.