Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Thermophiles and Mesophiles in Raw and UHT Milk

The objective of the study was to evaluate the contamination level of cow's raw milk and different brands of UHT milk in Baghdad local market for thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria. The numbers of colony counts in milk samples were determined by the culture method according to bacteriological standards methods. Investigations were carried out for seven weeks in college of veterinary dairy farms from March 2013 to May 2013. Six (29%) positive samples out of 21 samples were tested for thermophiles in raw milk while 36 (100%) milk samples of Ultra High Temperature (UHT) were positive for thermophiles. Twenty one (100%) of mesophiles in raw milk samples were positive while in UHT milk samples only 18 (50%) out of 36 were positive. Overall the means of mesophiles have more significant counts differences (p<0.05) than thermophiles in raw milk samples. In UHT brands indicated that the results revealed high numbers of thermophiles in Nada and KDD which indicated that these brands were low quality. Moreover the values of these brands have significant differences (p<0.05) comparing with the UHT milk brands Al-Maraee and Al-Safi. In the same time the UHT brands were shown high numbers of mesophiles in Nada and Al-Safi which indicated that these brands have significant differences (p<0.05) comparing with Al-Maraee and KDD. This study was concentrated on milk contamination occurred after milk producing as well as processing, transport and store of UHT.
Effect of TLIF Cage Placement on In Vivo Kinematics

Background The influence of interbody cage positioning on clinical outcomes following lumbar interbody fusion is not well understood, though it has been hypothesized to play a significant role in stability of the treated level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any correlations between cage placement in TLIF procedures and post-operative kinematics. Methods Thirteen patients who had previously undergone a TLIF procedure were evaluated using the Vertebral Motion Analysis (VMA) system, an automated fluoroscopic method of tracking kinematics in vivo. Upright and recumbent bending platforms were used to guide patients through a set range of motion (ROM) standing up and lying down, respectively, in both flexion-extension (FE) and lateral bending (LB). Intervertebral ROM was measured via fluoroscopic images captured sequentially throughout the movement. DICOM images acquired by the VMA system were used to calculate cage positioning. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of TLIF cage position were also assessed. Results Statistically significant correlations were noted between sagittal cage position and lying LB (r = -0.583, p = 0.047), and coronal cage positioning with both standing (r = 0.672, p = 0.012) and lying LB (r = 0.632, p = 0.027). Additionally, the correlation between sagittal cage position and standing FE was trending towards significance (r = -0.542, p = 0.055). Conclusions The intuitive correlation between coronal cage position and both standing and lying lateral bending ROM is supported by the data from this study, suggesting placement closer to midline is optimal for stability. Additionally, the VMA system appears to be a sensitive and repeatable means to obtain information on postoperative kinematic outcomes. Further work to establish the relationship between cage placement, these kinematic outcomes and, potentially, functional pain outcomes seems to be warranted based on the results obtained here.
Effect of Three Different Anticoagulants and Storage Time on Haematological Parameters of Mugil cephalus ( Linneaus

Anticoagulants and storage time’s effect on hemogram and differential leukocyte count in 26 Mugil cephalus was investigated. After blood collection, samples were put, in three microtubes containing respectively: ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), heparin, sodium citrate. Analysis were assessed immediately (T0) and 24 h (refrigerated at +4°C) after collection (T24). Statistical analysis showed: significant higher levels of hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin (Hb) and lower levels of thrombocytes count (TC) in EDTA (P<0.001) than heparin and sodium citrate treated samples at T0 and T24; white blood cell (WBC) and Lymphocytes values were lower (P<0.05) in sodium citrate than with EDTA and heparin treated samples at T24, while Monocytes levels were higher (P<0.05) in sodium citrate than EDTA and heparin treated samples at T24. Statistical analysis showed also a significant effect of storage time (P<0.01) on TC, Monocytes, Neutrophils, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) which statistically increase from T0 to T24, while WBC and Lymphocytes statistically decrease from T0 to T24. These finding demonstrate that EDTA showed higher reliability as anticoagulant for this fish and that hematological determinations can be assessed within 24h hours from collection, because storage time modifies analysis results.
Noninvasive, Objective, Multimodal Tear Dynamics Evaluation of 5 Over-the-Counter Tear Drops in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: To assess the ability of a noninvasive, objective, multimodal system to compare the efficacy and optical quality of 4 different groups of 5 over-the-counter tear drops. Methods: Wavefront sensing and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to objectively assess visual quality and tear volume, respectively, after the over-the-counter tear drops [2 polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400, 1 carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 1 polyvinyl alcohol/PEG-400 (PVA), and 1 glycerine/polysorbate-80] were administered to 23 patients with aqueous-deficient dry eye in a randomized, controlled, double-masked trial. Measurements at each of the 5 visits were taken from both eyes at baseline and 5, 20, and 40 minutes after drop instillation. Results: At 5 minutes after drop instillation, the 2 PEG drops showed significant worsening of visual quality (−128.87%, P = 0.001) compared with CMC, PVA, and glycerine drops. Tear volume was elevated significantly with PEG and CMC drops at 5 minutes (+33.2%, P = 0.002; +29.9%, P < 0.001) compared with the other groups. Subjects with a Schirmer score of less than 5 mm at 5 minutes showed improvement in visual quality with PEG drops, whereas those with a fluorescein staining score of 1 to 2 showed improvement with both PEG and CMC drops. A trend toward decreasing visual quality with increasing tear meniscus was noted. Conclusions: Noninvasive multimodal imaging has the potential to evaluate tear dynamics and the efficacy of artificial tears objectively. Certain artificial tear components and the temporary increase in tear volume after instillation of artificial tears may contribute to transient reduction of visual quality.
1 Cyclic Testing of Light-Gauge Steel Plate Shear Walls

This paper describes the prototype design, specimen design, experimental set-up, and experimental results of tests on three light-gauge steel plate shear wall (SPSW) concepts. Prototype light-gauge steel plate shear walls are designed as seismic retrofits for a hospital structure in an area of high seismicity and emphasis is placed on minimizing their impact on the existing framing. Three single story test specimens are designed using these prototypes as a basis, two specimens with flat infill plates (thicknesses of 0.9 mm) and a third using a corrugated infill plate (thickness of 0.7 mm). Connection of the infill plates to the boundary frames is achieved through the use of bolts in combination with industrial strength epoxy or welds, allowing for mobility of the infills if desired. Testing of the systems is done under quasi-static conditions. It is shown that one of the flat infill plate specimens, as well as the specimen utilizing a corrugated infill plate, achieve significant ductility and energy dissipation while minimizing the demands placed on the surrounding framing. Experimental results are compared to monotonic pushover predictions from computer analysis using a simple model and good agreement is observed.
The value of cognitive interviewing techniques in palliative care research

Background: In answering questionnaires, research participants undertake complex cognitive processes, including understanding/interpreting questions, retrieval of information from memory, decision processes to estimate answers and response formulation. Cognitive interviewing techniques are widely used in large surveys, to improve questionnaires by understanding these processes, but their use is less familiar in other areas of palliative research. Aim: This study applied cognitive interviewing techniques, alongside standard piloting, to refine a questionnaire for survey of symptoms in end-stage renal disease patients. Methods: Ten consecutive renal patients were invited to undertake a cognitive interview, while completing a questionnaire comprised of the Memorial Symptom Assessment, Geriatric Depression and Palliative Care Outcomes Scales. Interviews were conducted using ‘think-aloud’ and concurrent probing techniques, and recorded, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Results: Nine interviews were completed. A variety of cognitive problems were identified, including legibility/format, comprehension of specific words/phrases, inapplicability of some questions, response estimation and difficulties caused by combining instruments. These were categorized, using Tourangeau’s information processing model, and used to refine the symptom questionnaire. Conclusion: Cognitive interviewing was able to helpfully identify the range and depth of difficulties with questions, to a greater degree than with standard piloting. It may be of particular benefit when instruments are used in different combinations, or applied to new study populations. Wider use of these techniques in palliative research is recommended.
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): Improved emission lines measurements in four representative samples at 0.07

© ESO, 2016. This paper presents a new catalog of emission lines based on the GAMA II data for galaxies between 0.07 9.4 at z ∼ 0.1 and log M∗ > 10.6 at z ∼ 0.30. We have developed a dedicated code called MARVIN that automates the main steps of the data analysis, but imposes visual individual quality control of each measurement. We use this catalog to investigate how the sample selection influences the shape of the stellar mass - metallicity relation. We find that commonly used selection criteria on line detections and by AGN rejection could affect the shape and dispersion of the high-mass end of the M - Z relation. For log M∗ > 10.6, common selection criteria reject about 65% of the emission-line galaxies. We also find that the relation does not evolve significantly from z = 0.07 to z = 0.34 in the range of stellar mass for which the samples are representative (log M∗ > 10.6). For lower stellar masses (log M∗ < 10.2) we are able to show that the observed 0.15 dex metallicity decrease in the same redshift range is a consequence of a color bias arising from selecting targets in the r-band. We highlight that this color selection bias affects all samples selected in r-band (e.g., GAMA and SDSS), even those drawn from volume-limited samples. Previously reported evolution of the M - Z relation at various redshifts may need to be revised to evaluate the effect of this selection bias.
Natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection and long‐term outcome under treatment

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic state of interactions among HBV, the hepatocytes and the immune system of the patient. Perinatally or early childhood‐acquired chronic HBV infection has a long ‘immune tolerant phase’, when patients are young, and HBeAg seropositive with a high viral load but with no significant liver disease. Persistent or episodic liver injuries during the ‘immune clearance phase’ may lead to decompensation, fibrosis progression or cirrhosis development in some patients, but may eventually lead to HBV‐DNA seroclearance with HBeAg seroconversion and entry into the ‘inactive phase’ with remission. Hepatitis may relapse, because of reactivation of HBV with precore or basal core promptor mutations, and develop ‘HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis’, in some patients. In contrast, HBsAg seroclearance may occur in those with sustained remission. During the course, HBV replication is the key driver of disease progression including development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among the currently available anti‐HBV drugs, the most extensive and longest experience has been gained with conventional interferon (IFN)‐α and lamivudine. A finite course of IFN therapy has long‐term benefit in achieving a cumulative response, increasing HBsAg seroclearance and reducing cirrhosis and/or HCC. Maintained virological response to lamivudine therapy has a similar long‐term benefit in reducing disease progression. Pegylated IFN and newer nucleos(t)ide analogues may have even better long‐term outcomes because of better therapeutic efficacy and/or a low risk of drug resistances. The treatment outcomes are still far from satisfactory. The development of safe and affordable anti‐HBV agents/strategies is needed to further improve outcomes.
Purine and pyrimidine utilisation by chicks fed nitrogen-limiting diets.

The responses of chicks to purine and pyrimidine supplementation of diets severely limiting in the dispensable amino acids have been measured in three experiments. In experiment 1, combined additions of adenine and uracil to a diet with a nitrogen (N) content of 19.84 g kg−1 DM enhanced growth and dry matter intakes to levels similar to those attained by chicks receiving an equinitrogenous supplement of glutamic acid. Chicks in the latter group, however, had the best efficiencies of carcass N deposition. In experiment 2, growth, dry matter intakes and efficiency of food conversion of chicks fed a diet with 23.36 g N kg−1 DM were improved markedly by combined supplements of adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine. Equinitrogenous inclusions of guanine; guanine with thymine; uracil with thymine; or uracil with adenine were ineffective. Efficiency of carcass N deposition declined appreciably on supplementing the basal diet with purines and pyrimidines in different combinations, appreciable reductions occurring with additions of thymine; uracil with thymine and uracil with adenine. The low N efficiencies observed in the last two groups were improved by combined additions of adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine. The highest efficiencies of N utilisation occurred in chicks fed a glutamic acid supplement. In experiment 3, the simultaneous addition of uracil, adenine and guanine was as effective in stimulating the growth performance of chicks fed a diet with 18.89 g N kg−1 DM as a more complex mixture including cytosine. The best growth and efficiency of food conversion values were recorded in the group receiving supplementary glutamic acid.
Ultrasound Assessment of Articular Cartilage: Analysis of the Frequency Profile of Reflected Signals from Naturally and Artificially Degraded Samples

This article investigates in vitro the hypothesis that the frequency profile of ultrasound reflections may be used to characterize degradation and osteoarthritic progression in articular cartilage, irrespective of the effects of transducer orientation. To this end, ultrasound echoes were taken in the time domain from the articular surface and osteochondral junction of normal, collagen meshwork-disrupted, proteoglycan-depleted, and osteoarthritic samples, converted to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform and analyzed. Our results show the significant effects of specific enzymatic degradation programs on the ultrasound frequency profile of reflections from the cartilage surface and osteochondral junction, and their manifestation in the tissue surrounding a focal osteoarthritic defect. Collagen meshwork disruption was most apparent in the profile of reflections from the articular surface, while proteoglycan depletion was most clearly observed in the reflections from the osteochondral junction. The reflected signals from the osteochondral junction may further contain information about the subchondral bone. From these results we proposed that the analysis of specific frequencies of reflected ultrasound signals has the potential to differentiate normal from degraded articular cartilage-on-bone, when the angle of incidence can be controlled within a ±1.2° limit. This encourages further research into the effects of progressive artificial degradation of the cartilage matrix and subchondral bone on the spectral profile to quantify the relationship between the frequency profile and the level of specific degradation in naturally degraded joints.
Success and failure as determinants of level of authoritarianism.

Various authors have argued that the more threatening an individual's environment is, the more authoritarian he is likely to be. This hypothesis was investigated in two separate experiments. In both, Ss were pretested for authoritarianism and then were exposed to one of two conditions. In the first condition, Ss were threatened by failure at two experimental tasks; in the second, they were presumably encouraged by success at these tasks. In both studies, failure increased and success decreased the Ss' levels of authoritarianism. In both studies, these changes in authoritarianism were greater for individuals who attributed their performance to internal causes. In addition, data from the second investigation indicated that these manipulations affected Ss' tendencies to conform to the judgments of an authority figure. The findings appear to support the contention that personality is an open system.
A ug 2 01 7 1 Intensity Video Guided 4 D Fusion for Improved Highly Dynamic 3 D Reconstruction

The availability of high-speed 3D video sensors has greatly facilitated 3D shape acquisition of dynamic and deformable objects, but high frame rate 3D reconstruction is always degraded by spatial noise and temporal fluctuations. This paper presents a simple yet powerful intensity video guided multiframe 4D fusion pipeline. Temporal tracking of intensity image points (of moving and deforming objects) allows registration of the corresponding 3D data points, whose 3D noise and fluctuations are then reduced by spatio-temporal multi-frame 4D fusion. We conducted simulated noise tests and real experiments on four 3D objects using a 1000 fps 3D video sensor. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is effective at reducing 3D noise and is robust against intensity noise. It outperforms existing algorithms with good scalability on both stationary and dynamic objects.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts formed with polyethylene terephthalate-covered stents: experimental evaluation in pigs.

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and tissue response associated with Wallstents covered with polyethylene terephthalate (PETP) compared with those associated with uncovered Wallstents for creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen TIPS were created in 13 minipigs: eight with PETP-covered Wallstents, five with standard Wallstents. Shunt venography was performed at 5-8 weeks, and necropsy was performed at 7-8 weeks. Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopic examinations were performed. RESULTS Mean shunt stenoses of the control and graft groups were 45% and 53%, respectively. Graft stenoses involved the entire graft-bearing segment, whereas bare stent stenoses were localized within the liver tract. Myofibroblast and extracellular collagen matrix proliferation encompassed both control and graft-covered stents. There was one graft TIPS occlusion. One control TIPS stenosis was due to transstent proliferation of normal porcine hepatic tissue. A small focus of bile staining was seen on the abluminal surface of one TIPS, which was a patent PETP-lined shunt. CONCLUSION PETP graft TIPS provided equal, but not superior, patency to that of bare stent TIPS. The pattern of PETP TIPS graft healing differed from that of bare stents but was similar to that reported with other polyester graft vascular implants and consisted of diffuse transmural penetration and paving of the graft surface by extracellular collagen matrix and myofibroblasts.
Cervical priming prior to operative hysteroscopy: a randomized comparison of laminaria versus misoprostol.

BACKGROUND We aimed to compare efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus endocervical laminaria tents prior to operative hysteroscopy in selected cases. METHODS A total of 144 patients with diagnosed intrauterine lesions scheduled for operative hysteroscopy were randomly allocated to two groups according to method of cervical priming prior to the procedure. Misoprostol 200 microg was inserted into the posterior fornix of the vagina for patients in group A (n=72), while laminaria tents were inserted intracervically in group B patients (n=72). RESULTS Both methods were effective for cervical dilatation with a mean cervical diameter of 7.5+/-1.2 and 7.6+/-1.2 mm respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean cervical diameter or the time required for cervical dilatation (51.6 versus 51.4 s respectively). In contrast, there was a significant difference between the groups with respect to the insertion difficulty and in doctors' and patients' assessments of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Both misoprostol and laminaria were equally effective in inducing proper cervical priming prior to operative hysteroscopy with minimal time of cervical dilatation. Nevertheless, misoprostol may be superior due to easy application, reduced cost, and patient convenience and acceptability.
Exploiting random projections and sparsity with random forests and gradient boosting methods - Application to multi-label and multi-output learning, random forest model compression and leveraging input sparsity

Within machine learning, the supervised learning field aims at modeling the input-output relationship of a system, from past observations of its behavior. Decision trees characterize the input-output relationship through a series of nested $if-then-else$ questions, the testing nodes, leading to a set of predictions, the leaf nodes. Several of such trees are often combined together for state-of-the-art performance: random forest ensembles average the predictions of randomized decision trees trained independently in parallel, while tree boosting ensembles train decision trees sequentially to refine the predictions made by the previous ones. The emergence of new applications requires scalable supervised learning algorithms in terms of computational power and memory space with respect to the number of inputs, outputs, and observations without sacrificing accuracy. In this thesis, we identify three main areas where decision tree methods could be improved for which we provide and evaluate original algorithmic solutions: (i) learning over high dimensional output spaces, (ii) learning with large sample datasets and stringent memory constraints at prediction time and (iii) learning over high dimensional sparse input spaces.