Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of pesticides used in soybean crops to the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum

This research aimed to study the effects of different insecticides, herbicides and fungicides on eggs, larvae and pupae of Trichogramma pretiosum. The results showed that studied pesticides had different impact on T. pretiosum. Esfenvalerate 7.5 and spinosad 24.0 grams ha-1 were classified as harmfull (class 4) while clorfluazuron 10.0, methoxyfenozide 19.2, lactofen 165.0, fomesafen 250.0, fluazifop 125.0, glyphosate 960.0 (Gliz® and Roundup Transorb®), azoxistrobin + ciproconazol 60.0 + 24.0, azoxistrobin 50.0 and myclobutanil 125.0 grams ha-1 were chemicals classified as harmless to all imature T. pretiosum stages. All the other chemicals evaluated had different impact on T. pretiosum being classified from harmless (class 1) to harmful (class 4) varying the impact accordingly to the different parasitoid stage. Then, less noxious products should be chosen whenever possible to be used in a soybean IPM program.
Consumer acceptance of third generation mobile value-added services : a survey of Hong Kong consumer perceptions

This study empirically explores several variables in relation to consumer acceptance of third generation (3G) mobile value-added services in Hong Kong. The data analysis suggests that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control considerably influence consumers’ behavioural intention to use 3G value-added services. Practically, the promotion of 3G value-added services should provide additional information such as pricing scheme and clear instructions in order to attract more consumers to the services. The present findings have managerial implications for the development of 3G mobile value-added services in different contexts. Theoretically, the paper adds to extant literature on consumer acceptance of mobile services and extends technology adoption theories.
COMBINING ABILITY ESTIMATES FOR OIL CONTENT, YIELD COMPONENTS AND FIBRE QUALITY TRAITS IN COTTON (G. hirsutum) USING AN 8 × 8 DIALLEL MATING DESIGN

Eight cotton parental lines(CSH 7106, 3 HS, B 58-1290, 23 ES, 23 K, F 1861, VCH (F) and RS 810) were used in an 8 A— 8 diallel mating design to obtain 56 F1 hybrids for combining ability analysis. The analysis revealed significant general combining ability ( GCA) and specific combining ability ( SCA) effects for all the traits measured except lint index, seed index and fibre strength. Preponderance of non-additive geneaction was observed for oil content, ginning outturn, 2.5% span length and micronaire and preponderance of additive geneaction was obtained in Â seed yield, boll weight, fibre elongation and oil content. Significant GCA effects were observed for Â RS 810 for seed yield, and 2.5% span length, for Â 3 HS and Â B 58-1290 for boll weight, and CSH 7106 for oil content. Parental lines VCH (F), RS 810 and B 58-1290 were found to be a good general combiner for seed Â yield and parental lines Â CSH 7106 and VCH (F) for oil content. Some promising hybrids showing positive significant SCA effect for seed yield were 23 ES A— 23 K, F 1861 A— VCH (F). For oil content crosses 23 K A— RS 810, B58-1290 A— F1861, CSH 7106 A— 23 ES and 3 HS A— VCH (F) showed significant SCA effects.
E-loyalty in e-commerce: A study at GIRISSIMA.COM

Few studies have been conducted on causal antecedents for electronic loyalty regarding the online fashion industry. In Portugal there is no systematic empirical research in this area. This study aims to examine e-satisfaction and e-trust that potentially impact eloyalty. It also examines the impact of price, website design and selection of brands. A research study was performed at GIRISSIMA.COM and survey responses were 77. The findings show that e-satisfaction is the main driver of e-loyalty. E-trust, website design and price affect positively e-loyalty. Additionally, selection of brands was proved to impact e-loyalty through e-satisfaction and e-trust.
QT and QT dispersion intervals in long-standing and moderately active rheumatoid arthritis: results from a multicentre cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES To define the prevalence of prolonged QT interval and QT dispersion (QTd) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and in a control population. METHODS QT interval corrected by Bazett's formula (QTc) was calculated from standard 12-lead ECGs in 963 subjects free of previous cardiovascular events (646 RA patients and 317 controls strictly matched for age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors). RESULTS RA patients (59.6±9.6 years, 68.1% females) had a long mean disease duration (10.6 years) and moderate disease activity (DAS28=3.68±1.23). QTc was 5 msec longer in RA patients than in controls (412±9 vs. 407±28 msec, p=0.013). However, the prevalence of QTc prolongation in RA patients and controls was not significantly different (5.3% vs. 6.3%, p=0.50). On the contrary, RA patients had a significantly greater QTd (42±26 vs. 35±18 msec, p<0.001) and a higher prevalence of increased QTd (33.3% vs. 18.3%, p<0.001) than controls. Furthermore, RA was independently associated to increased QTd [OR(95%CI)= 2.21(1.58-3.08), p=0.0001]. In the RA population, male gender and older age were independently associated with a higher prevalence of prolonged QTd. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort of long-standing and moderately active RA patients, RA showed longer QTc but similar prevalence of prolonged QTc and an increased QTd with a 1.8-fold higher prevalence of increased QTd than the control population. Further studies in larger prospective cohorts are warranted to investigate whether QTd prolongation predicts sudden cardiac death and other adverse cardiovascular outcomes in RA.
Mood Baroco, Avicenna’s proof of it, and reasoning by means of models

In several works, the mental models theory has been used in order to check whether or not some ancient logics are more related to the actual human reasoning than standard or classical logic. In this paper, I try to make further analyses in this direction. In particular, I address mood Baroco in Aristotelian logic and the proof of it by Avicenna. My conclusions refer to that, apart from the fact that it is true that the mental models theory can indicate the possible cognitive scope that can be attributed to Aristotelian logic, both the initial version of Baroco and Avicenna’s proof of that mood can also be very useful research instruments to help us explore and develop some particular aspects of the mentioned theory.
Exploratory Data Mining for Subgroup Cohort Discoveries and Prioritization

Finding small homogeneous subgroup cohorts in large heterogeneous populations is a critical process for hypothesis development in biomedical research. Concurrent computational approaches are still lacking in robust answers to the question “what hypotheses are likely to be novel and to produce clinically relevant results with well thought-out study designs? ” We have developed a novel subgroup discovery method which employs a deep exploratory mining process to slice and dice thousands of potential subpopulations and prioritize potential cohorts based on their explainable contrast patterns and which may provide interventionable insights. We conducted computational experiments on both synthesized data and a clinical autism data set to assess performance quantitatively for coverage of pre-defined cohorts and qualitatively for novel knowledge discovery, respectively. We also conducted a scaling analysis using a distributed computing environment to suggest computational resource needs for when the subpopulation number increases. This work will provide a robust data-driven framework to automatically tailor potential interventions for precision health.
Predicting Development of Alzheimer's Disease in Patients with Shunted Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients often develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) related brain pathology. Disease State Index (DSI) is a method to combine data from various sources for differential diagnosis and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE To apply DSI to predict clinical AD in shunted iNPH-patients in a defined population. METHODS 335 shunted iNPH-patients (median 74 years) were followed until death (n = 185) or 6/2015 (n = 150). DSI model (including symptom profile, onset age of NPH symptoms, atrophy of medial temporal lobe in CT/MRI, cortical brain biopsy finding, and APOE genotype) was applied. Performance of DSI model was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS A total of 70 (21%) patients developed clinical AD during median follow-up of 5.3 years. DSI-model predicted clinical AD with moderate effectiveness (AUC = 0.75). Significant factors were cortical biopsy (0.69), clinical symptoms (0.66), and medial temporal lobe atrophy (0.66). CONCLUSION We found increased occurrence of clinical AD in previously shunted iNPH patients as compared with general population. DSI supported the prediction of AD. Cortical biopsy during shunt insertion seems indicated for earlier diagnosis of comorbid AD.
E-Banking acceptance in Thailand: An emphasis on Islamic banks' customers

The objective of the paper is to examine the level of acceptance of E-banking services in Thailand, with a special focus on Islamic banks' customers. The study also attempts to identify the main dimensions that would contribute to the acceptance and proper usage of E-banking services by Islamic banks' customers. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 500 Islamic banks' customers in Thailand. The survey covered the capital city of Bangkok and surrounding areas, but focused mostly on the southern part of Thailand, which is majority Muslim area. The collected data was subsequently analysed using descriptive statistics, one sample t-test, and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings revealed that the Islamic banks' customers in Thailand have a high tendency of adopting E-banking services across-groups. Furthermore, the results showed that perceived ease of use has a significant positive impact on perceived usefulness. In addition, both perceived ease of use and usefulness have a significant positive impact on customers' adoption of E-banking services. These findings have a significant contribution to the theory, policymakers, as well as the practitioners and regulators in the banking and Islamic banking areas.
Regional Characteristics of Tsunami Risk Perception among the Tsunami Affected Countries in the Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004 was a massive disaster of a magnitude rarely seen in human history. It resulted in more than 220,000 fatalities and caused more than $10 billion of damage (UN Office of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, 2005). The reasons for the enormity of this disaster are complex, and include not only the enormity of the tsunami that struck, but a combination of several other factors. It is argued that one of the most important of these was the infrequency of tsunami events in this part of the world, which is thought to explain the lack of knowledge concerning tsunamis in the affected regions. To prevent similar disasters from recurring in future, it is essential that efforts be made to ascertain the conditions in the affected regions and examine local perceptions of tsunami risk. A variety of surveys have been conducted in the tsunamiaffected regions, but virtually none have focused on people’s attitudes and perceptions. A perception study in Sri Lanka was reported by Kurita et al. (2006), but to date, no comparative studies have been conducted across all 12 affected countries. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey among more than 1,000 subjects (including residents, students, teachers, and government officials) in each of the three countries severely impacted by the tsunami, namely: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Many of the coastal areas of these countries sustained damage of catastrophic proportions. We launched this study primarily to examine and evaluate the ability of communities to respond to natural disasters. The survey results show the diversity of tsunami risk perceptions in each country. Another purpose of this study is to quantitatively identify the regional characteristics of tsunami risk perception and to provide information that will contribute to the restoration of the affected countries. Because the areas examined in this study have diverse geographical, cultural, and social backgrounds, we extracted regional differences by conducting cross-national comparisons. This paper offers yet another perspective on some interesting insights for the interpretation of empirical findings.
Multiparametric 3D Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound to Assess Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Pilot Study

Extracranial internal carotid artery stenoses (ICASs) may greatly differ with respect to morphological and hemodynamical aspects. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the use of multiparametric 3‐dimensional (3D) contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (3D‐CEUS) to comprehensively examine ICAS.
Gut microbiome investigation in celiac disease: from methods to its pathogenetic role

Abstract Our body is inhabited by a variety of microbes (microbiota), mainly bacteria, that outnumber our own cells. Until recently, most of what we knew about the human microbiota was based on culture methods, whereas a large part of the microbiota is uncultivable, and consequently previous information was limited. The advent of culture-independent methods and, particularly, of next-generation sequencing (NGS) methodology, marked a turning point in studies of the microbiota in terms of its composition and of the genes encoded by these microbes (microbiome). The microbiome is influenced predominantly by environmental factors that cause a large inter-individual variability (~20%) being its heritability only 1.9%. The gut microbiome plays a relevant role in human physiology, and its alteration (“dysbiosis”) has been linked to a variety of inflammatory gut diseases, including celiac disease (CD). CD is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that is triggered by both genetic (mainly HLA-DQ2/DQ8 haplotypes) and environmental factors (gluten), but, in recent years, a large body of experimental evidence suggested that the gut microbiome is an additional contributing factor to the pathogenesis of CD. In this review, we summarize the literature that has investigated the gut microbiome associated with CD, the methods and biological samples usually employed in CD microbiome investigations and the putative pathogenetic role of specific microbial alterations in CD. In conclusion, both gluten-microbe and host-microbe interactions drive the gluten-mediated immune response. However, it remains to be established whether the CD-associated dysbiosis is the consequence of the disease, a simple concomitant association or a concurring causative factor.
Prospective multicentre cohort trial on acute appendicitis and microbiota, aetiology and effects of antimicrobial treatment: study protocol for the MAPPAC (Microbiology APPendicitis ACuta) trial

Introduction Based on the epidemiological and clinical data, acute appendicitis can present either as uncomplicated or complicated. The aetiology of these different appendicitis forms remains unknown. Antibiotic therapy has been shown to be safe, efficient and cost-effective for CT-confirmed uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Despite appendicitis being one of the most common surgical emergencies, there are very few reports on appendicitis aetiology and pathophysiology focusing on the differences between uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis. Microbiology APPendicitis ACuta (MAPPAC) trial aims to evaluate these microbiological and immunological aspects including immune response in the aetiology of these different forms also assessing both antibiotics non-responders and appendicitis recurrence. In addition, MAPPAC aims to determine antibiotic and placebo effects on gut microbiota composition and antimicrobial resistance. Methods and analysis MAPPAC is a prospective clinical trial with both single-centre and multicentre arm conducted in close synergy with concurrent trials APPendicitis ACuta II (APPAC II) (per oral (p.o.) vs intravenous+p.o. antibiotics, NCT03236961) and APPAC III (double-blind trial placebo vs antibiotics, NCT03234296) randomised clinical trials. Based on the enrolment for these trials, patients with CT-confirmed uncomplicated acute appendicitis are recruited also to the MAPPAC study. In addition to these conservatively treated randomised patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis, MAPPAC will recruit patients with uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis undergoing appendectomy. Rectal and appendiceal swabs, appendicolith, faecal and serum samples, appendiceal biopsies and clinical data are collected during the hospital stay for microbiological and immunological analyses in both study arms with the longitudinal study arm collecting faecal samples also during follow-up up to 12 months after appendicitis treatment. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland (Turku University Hospital, approval number ATMK:142/1800/2016) and the Finnish Medicines Agency. Results of the trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number NCT03257423
Marijuana use should not preclude consideration for kidney transplantation

Transplant eligibility for tobacco and/or marijuana using candidates varies among transplant centers. This study compared the impact of marijuana use and tobacco use on kidney transplant recipient outcomes. Kidney transplant recipients at a single center from 2001 to 2015 were reviewed for outcomes of all‐cause graft loss, infection, biopsy‐proven acute rejection, and estimated glomerular filtration rate between four groups: marijuana‐only users, marijuana and tobacco users, tobacco‐only users, and nonusers. The cohort (N = 919) included 48 (5.2%) marijuana users, 45 (4.8%) marijuana and tobacco users, 136 (14.7%) tobacco users, and 75% nonusers. Smoking status was not significantly associated with acute rejection, estimated glomerular filtration rate or pneumonia within one‐year post‐transplant in an adjusted model. Compared to nonuse, marijuana and tobacco use and tobacco‐only use was significantly associated with increased risk of graft loss (aHR 1.68, P = .034 and 1.52, P = .006, respectively). Patients with isolated marijuana use had similar overall graft survival compared to nonusers (aHR 1.00, P = .994). Marijuana use should not be an absolute contraindication to kidney transplant.
Assessing Environmental Damage to Marine Protected Area: A Case of Perhentian Marine Park in Malaysia

The Perhentian Island located in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia is well-known for its rich coral reef ecosystems. Marine resources of Malaysia have been overexploited due to overfishing and tourism activities. As such no-take marine protected area (MPAs) were established in Malaysia, including Perhentian Island Marine Park to enable overexploited marine resources to recover and to conserve coral reef ecosystems. This paper examines the current level of activities causing damage to coral reef habitats in the Perhentian MPA. This study used paired comparison method to elicit the perception of local stakeholders on activities harmful to the marine habitats. The results of the analysis showed that various respondent groups had similar preference rankings on the harmful activities: littering, discarding fishing equipment, excess fishing and too many divers that cause damage to habitats in the MPA area. The findings suggest that policy makers should take cognizance of the local stakeholders’ concern in planning and designing of marine protected areas in Malaysia.
Simulation of radiation-induced defects

Mainly due to their outstanding performance the position sensitive silicon detectors are widely used in the tracking systems of High Energy Physics experiments such as the ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb at LHC, the world's largest particle physics accelerator at CERN, Geneva. The foreseen upgrade of the LHC to its high luminosity (HL) phase (HL-LHC scheduled for 2023), will enable the use of maximal physics potential of the facility. After 10 years of operation the expected fluence will expose the tracking systems at HL-LHC to a radiation environment that is beyond the capacity of the present system design. Thus, for the required upgrade of the all-silicon central trackers extensive measurements and simulation studies for silicon sensors of different designs and materials with sufficient radiation tolerance have been initiated within the RD50 Collaboration. Supplementing measurements, simulations are in vital role for e.g. device structure optimization or predicting the electric fields and trapping in the silicon sensors. The main objective of the device simulations in the RD50 Collaboration is to develop an approach to model and predict the performance of the irradiated silicon detectors using professional software. The first successfully developed quantitative models for radiation damage, based on two effective midgap levels, are able to reproduce the experimentally observed detector characteristics like leakage current, full depletion voltage and charge collection efficiency (CCE). Recent implementations of additional traps at the SiO$_2$/Si interface or close to it have expanded the scope of the experimentally agreeing simulations to such surface properties as the interstrip resistance and capacitance, and the position dependency of CCE for strip sensors irradiated up to $\sim$$1.5\times10^{15}$ n$_{\textrm{eq}}\textrm{cm}^{-2}$.
CRITICAL CURRENT AND JUNCTION BETWEEN PANCAKE STUDIES FOR HTS COIL DESIGN

YBCO Coated Conductor (CC) are very attractive for very high magnetic field coil with lower cryogenics need. We study two major aspects of HTS coil building. First the results of critical current measurements on YBCO tape provided by SuperPower are presented for a large temperature range and in parallel magnetic field configuration. A model is also proposed to extrapolate those measurements at other temperatures and fields. Then we focus on the critical aspect of junctions between pancakes. Junctions in cylindrical configuration are studied using three different soldering materials. The results are promising for further coil building.
Nonlinear Shrinkage of the Covariance Matrix for Portfolio Selection: Markowitz Meets Goldilocks

Markowitz (1952) portfolio selection requires an estimator of the covariance matrix of returns. To address this problem, we promote a nonlinear shrinkage estimator that is more flexible than previous linear shrinkage estimators and has just the right number of free parameters (that is, the Goldilocks principle). This number is the same as the number of assets. Our nonlinear shrinkage estimator is asymptotically optimal for portfolio selection when the number of assets is of the same magnitude as the sample size. In backtests with historical stock return data, it performs better than previous proposals and, in particular, it dominates linear shrinkage.