Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crop Classification Using Short-Revisit Multitemporal SAR Data

Classification of crops and other land cover types is an important application of both optical/infrared and SAR satellite data. It is already an import application of present satellite systems, as it will be for planned missions, such as the Sentinels. An airborne SAR data set with a short revisit time acquired by the German ESAR system during the ESA-campaign, AgriSAR 2006, has been used to assess the performance of different polarization modes for crop classification. Both C-and L-band SAR data were acquired over the Demmin agricultural test site in North Eastern Germany on a weekly basis during the growing season. Single-and dual-polarization, and fully polarimetric data have been used in the analysis (fully polarimetric data were only available at L-band). The main results of the analysis are, that multitemporal acquisitions are very important for single-and dual-polarization modes, and that cross-polarized backscatter produces the best results, with errors down to 3%-6% at the two frequencies. There is a trade-off between the polarimetric information and the multitemporal information, where the best overall results are obtained using the multitemporal information. If only a few acquisitions are available, the polarimetric mode may perform better than the single-and dual polarization modes.
Immortalization of oral keratinocytes by functional inactivation of the p53 and pRb pathways

A subgroup of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) contains high‐risk human papillomavirus‐type 16 (HPV16). The viral E6 and E7 oncoproteins inactivate the p53 and pRb proteins, respectively. We examined the causative effect of HPV16 E6 and E7 expression on the immortalization of normal oral keratinocytes (OKCs) and compared the resulting phenotype with alternative ways of p53‐ and pRb‐pathway abrogation frequently found in HNSCCs without HPV. Primary OKCs were conditionally immortalized with temperature‐sensitive SV40 large T‐antigen and human telomerase, allowing these cells to return to their senescent primary state after temperature shift. HPV16 E6 and E7 were introduced to overcome senescence, determined with population doubling (PD) as read‐out. For comparison, we downregulated p53 and p16 by short hairpin RNA genes and expressed mutant p53R(175)H and cyclinD1. Expression of HPV16 E6 caused an extended life span similar to expression of mutant p53R(175)H or p53 knockdown. Expression of mutant p53R(175)H seemed to cause additional activation of the hypoxia and WNT signaling pathways. HPV16 E7 expression had no direct effect on lifespan, similar to p16 knockdown or cyclinD1 expression. In combination with HPV16 E6 or other functional inactivations of p53, abrogation of the pRb‐pathway by either HPV16 E7 or other manipulations caused an immortal phenotype. Our data show the causative role of HPV16 E6/E7 in early squamous carcinogenesis. Activity of each gene could be mimicked by other genetic events frequently found in HNSCC without HPV. This data provides the experimental proof of causal association of HPV in HNSCC carcinogenesis and further support the crucial role of the p53‐ and pRb‐pathways.
Signal processing techniques for concealed weapon detection by use of neural networks

The use of active millimeter wave radar has proven successful in the field of Concealed Weapon Detection. Time resolved signals acquired from the radar scans are pre-processed and classified using an Artificial Neural Network. A problem with this method occurs in the training of the ANN, where the network must be trained on each weapon type that it is to reliably classify. Any deviation from the training weapon sub-class type leads to a decrease in the classifier's performance. This is illustrated in the experimental results. A possible improvement on this method is outlined in the form of including signals reconstructed using Principal Component Analysis into the training set.
Arabidopsis PHOSPHOTYROSYL PHOSPHATASE ACTIVATOR Is Essential for PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A Holoenzyme Assembly and Plays Important Roles in Hormone Signaling, Salt Stress Response, and Plant Development1[W][OPEN]

An Arabidopsis phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator is essential for assembly of a protein phosphatase and plays important roles in hormone signaling, salt stress response, and plant development. PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2A (PP2A) is a major group of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in eukaryotes. It is composed of three subunits: scaffolding subunit A, regulatory subunit B, and catalytic subunit C. Assembly of the PP2A holoenzyme in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) depends on Arabidopsis PHOSPHOTYROSYL PHOSPHATASE ACTIVATOR (AtPTPA). Reduced expression of AtPTPA leads to severe defects in plant development, altered responses to abscisic acid, ethylene, and sodium chloride, and decreased PP2A activity. In particular, AtPTPA deficiency leads to decreased methylation in PP2A-C subunits (PP2Ac). Complete loss of PP2Ac methylation in the suppressor of brassinosteroid insensitive1 mutant leads to 30% reduction of PP2A activity, suggesting that PP2A with a methylated C subunit is more active than PP2A with an unmethylated C subunit. Like AtPTPA, PP2A-A subunits are also required for PP2Ac methylation. The interaction between AtPTPA and PP2Ac is A subunit dependent. In addition, AtPTPA deficiency leads to reduced interactions of B subunits with C subunits, resulting in reduced functional PP2A holoenzyme formation. Thus, AtPTPA is a critical factor for committing the subunit A/subunit C dimer toward PP2A heterotrimer formation.
Digital Divides and Socio-Demographic Factors: A Longitudinal Quantitative Study of Internet Users in U.S. from 2000 to 2010.

This research attempted to reveal the existence of digital divides, their relationships to users’ socio-demographics, and the Internet adoption and usage patterns. It was a longitudinal investigation targeted to the adults eighteen years or older in the household setting from the nation-wide surveys conducted in the United States between 2000 and 2010. Digital divides were investigated in three levels (dimensions): Internet access, usage (frequency), and scope (consequence). Six socio-demographic characteristics were investigated: gender, age, education, income, occupation, and race. This research showed that Internet access rates and usage increased consistently from 2000 to 2010. However, the disparities in the Internet adoption and usage among the diverse Internet users were still observed. Gaps by age, education, income, and occupation were ubiquitously prominent except for gender and race; little difference was found between men and women for Internet access and between whites and African-Americans for Internet usage and scope. The evolution of the digital divides in Internet usage and scope were complicated because some gaps closed or opened periodically from 2000 to 2010. This research showed that Internet access rate and usage were negatively related to age but positively related to education and family income. The poorest, least educated, old or least privileged people still lagged behind in Internet access, usage, and scope. It is too early to declare the battle against the digital divides won. The findings of this research call for further education and training for the laggards to narrow the existing gaps.
FLUKTUASI HARGA KOMODITAS PANGAN DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP INFLASI DI PROVINSI BANTEN

Banten Province has a fluctuation inflation. The highest inflation is contributed by food category. Therefore, the price of food commodity become an important issue in the province of Banten. This research analyze the prices of food commoditiy, such as rice, corn, curly red chili, onion, beef, chicken meat and layer egg. The purposes of this research are, to describe the food commodity price developments in Banten using descriptive analysis, to analyze fluctuations of food commodity prices and their impact on inflation in Banten using VAR models (Vector Autoregression), to analyze the inflation linkages between regions around Banten using Granger Causality. The results show the developments of commodity prices such as rice, corn, curly red chili, onion,beef, chicken meat and layer eggs generally showed an upward trend. VAR analysis results showed that in the short term only curly red chili which have a significant impact on inflation in Banten. On the long-term there are six commodities that impact significantly on inflation in Banten, those are beef, corn, rice, chicken meat, layer egg and red chili curly. The results of Granger causality test show that there is only one way relation that is Banten inflation affecting Lampung inflation.
Comparison of Renal Transplant Scintigraphy With Renal Resistance Index for Prediction of Early Graft Dysfunction and Evaluation of Acute Tubular Necrosis and Acute Rejection

Purpose We discuss whether resistance index (RI) and renal scintigraphy obtained within 48 hours after operation could predict the early graft dysfunction. We also aimed to assess the uses of scintigraphy and RI in diagnosis of acute rejection (AR) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Methods A total of 153 studies were performed in 109 patients. T½ of perfusion peak, perfusion curve grades, and accumulation index (R20/3) were used as scintigraphic parameters. Baseline studies obtained within 48 hours after transplantation were evaluated for prediction of early graft dysfunction. All data were then assessed for specific diagnosis. Results Scintigraphic parameters were significantly higher in patients with delayed graft function (DGF) and slow graft function (SGF) than in patients with immediate graft function. These parameters in DGF were also considerably different from those in SGF. The mean RI was significantly high in DGF, but there was no difference between SGF and immediate graft function. In diagnostic groups, the mean values of all tests were significantly different between normal functioning grafts and pathological grafts (ATN + AR). There was no significant difference between AR and ATN. However, renal scintigraphy has higher sensitivity and specificity for AR as compared with RI of Doppler ultrasonography (US). Conclusions In predicting graft dysfunction and separating normal functioning graft from pathological graft (ATN + AR), renal scintigraphy provides more accurate information than Doppler US. Even though it is superior to Doppler US, renal scintigraphy also cannot reliably separate ATN from AR. The major advantage of renal scintigraphy is the early detection of reduced renal function.
School-based ICT policy plans in primary education: Elements, typologies and underlying processes

Schools are more and more encouraged to write a school-based information and communication technology (ICT) policy plan. In such a plan, a school describes its expectations, goals, content and actions related to the future role of ICT in teaching and learning. Although this is encouraged by researchers and policy makers, the literature on ICT policy plans and ICT policy planning is rather general and underdeveloped. In this study, the content of school-based ICT policy plans and underlying policy processes is explored. Data were gathered in 31 primary schools in Flanders: the schools' ICT policy plan was submitted to a content analysis, and a semi-structured interview was administered to the school leader or the ICT coordinator. Using a framework of ICT leadership practices to guide the analysis (setting direction, developing people and making the organization work), we identified three types of ICT policy plans: (1) an ICT policy plan as a vision blueprint, (2) a technical inventory and (3) a comprehensive ICT policy plan. Although the last type takes into account all ICT leadership practices, we found a variety of different approaches in the processes used to create and execute such plans, such as the support of ICT training activities, data-driven decision-making processes and monitoring activities.
Aboriginal Suicides in Custody: A View from the Kimberley

Aboriginal deaths in custody have become an issue of national concern and international attention. Amongst those dying are an increasing number who commit suicide. In the heated and tense arena of this politicized debate there are many views but little to back them up. The author examines the international literature on deaths in custody, draws from work on Aboriginal suicide in the Kimberley, including two suicides in police custody, and reports the finding of a survey of 100 prisoners conducted in the police cells in Broome. With the final report of the Muirhead Royal Commission several years away, it is imperative that all sources of information be examined to guide policy changes in the present.
Breaking the cycle: treatment strategies for 163 cases of recurrent Clostridium difficile disease

OBJECTIVE:There is currently uncertainty as to the best treatment for patients with recurrent episodes of Clostridium difficile disease (RCDD). Our objective was to evaluate the success of treatment strategies in a cohort of 163 RCDD patients.METHODS:Data were used from patients who had participated in the placebo arm in two national referral clinical trials evaluating a new combination treatment. Patients with active RCCD were enrolled, prescribed either vancomycin or metronidazole, and randomized to either the investigational biological or a placebo. All patients were observed for at least 2 months for a subsequent episode of RCCD.RESULTS:Of the 163 cases, 44.8% recurred. A tapering course of vancomycin resulted in significantly fewer recurrences (31%, p = 0.01), as did pulsed dosing of vancomycin (14.3%, p = 0.02). A trend (p = 0.09) for a lower recurrence frequency was observed for high-dose (≥2 g/day) vancomycin and low-dose (≤1 g/day) metronidazole. Vancomycin was significantly more effective in clearing C. difficile culture and/or toxin by the end of therapy than metronidazole (89% vs 59%, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:These data show that tapered or pulsed dosing regimens of vancomycin may result in a significantly better cure of RCDD. The persistence of C. difficile spores suggests that additional strategies to restore the normal colonic microflora may also be beneficial.
Effects of a short‐term supranutritional selenium supplementation on redox balance, physiology and insulin‐related metabolism in heat‐stressed pigs

Heat stress (HS) disrupts redox balance and insulin-related metabolism. Supplementation with supranutritional amounts of selenium (Se) may enhance glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and reduce oxidative stress, but may trigger insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of a short-term high Se supplementation on physiology, oxidative stress and insulin-related metabolism in heat-stressed pigs. Twenty-four gilts were fed either a control (0.20 ppm Se) or a high Se (1.0 ppm Se yeast, HiSe) diet for 2 weeks. Pigs were then housed in thermoneutral (20°C) or HS (35°C) conditions for 8 days. Blood samples were collected to study blood Se and oxidative stress markers. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted on day 8 of thermal exposure. The HS conditions increased rectal temperature and respiration rate (both p < .001). The HiSe diet increased blood Se by 12% (p < .05) and ameliorated the increase in rectal temperature (p < .05). Heat stress increased oxidative stress as evidenced by a 48% increase in plasma advanced oxidized protein products (AOPPs; p < .05), which may be associated with the reductions in plasma biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and erythrocyte GPX activity (both p < .05). The HiSe diet did not alleviate the reduction in plasma BAP or increase in AOPPs observed during HS, although it tended to increase erythrocyte GPX activity by 13% (p = .068). Without affecting insulin, HS attenuated lipid mobilization, as evidenced by a lower fasting NEFA concentration (p < .05), which was not mitigated by the HiSe diet. The HiSe diet increased insulin AUC, suggesting it potentiated insulin resistance, although this only occurred under TN conditions (p = .066). In summary, HS induced oxidative stress and attenuated lipid mobilization in pigs. The short-term supranutritional Se supplementation alleviated hyperthermia, but did not protect against oxidative stress in heat-stressed pigs.
Receipt of Prescription Contraception by Commercially Insured Women With Chronic Medical Conditions

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in receipt of prescription contraception among women with and without chronic medical conditions. METHODS: This observational study used 3 years of administrative claims records for insured women aged 21–45 years who were enrolled in a commercial insurance company in Michigan between 2004 and 2009. Women were considered to have a chronic medical condition if they had at least two claims for one of the following conditions, in order of prevalence in our study population: hypertension, asthma, hypothyroidism, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Our primary outcome was receipt of prescription contraception, defined by a pharmacy claim or diagnostic or procedural code. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association of chronic condition status with the odds of receiving prescription contraception within 3 years adjusting for age, community-level socioeconomic status, total outpatient visits, and cervical cancer screening. RESULTS: Of 11,649 women studied, 16.0% (n=1,862) had at least one of the chronic conditions we considered. Of those with a chronic condition, 33.5% (n=623) received prescription contraception during the 3-year study period compared with 41.1% (n=4,018) of those without a chronic condition (P<.001). After adjusting for covariates, women with a chronic condition remained less likely than women without a chronic condition to have received prescription contraception (adjusted odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.76–0.96, P=.010). CONCLUSION: Despite a greater risk for adverse outcomes with an unplanned pregnancy, women with these chronic conditions were less likely to receive prescription contraception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
Influence of physico-chemistry and mineralogy on the occurrence of geohelminths in geophagic soils from selected communities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, and their possible implication on human health

Geophagic soils from selected communities in Eastern Cape, South Africa were characterised to determine their properties and geohelminth content. The soils were coarse-textured with cation exchange capacity values ranging from 6.35 to 18.94 cmol (+)/kg. Quartz was the dominant mineral in the samples with SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3(t) having the highest concentrations among major element oxides. The soil properties, mineralogical composition, and low amounts of particle binding substances may favour the survival of geohelminth ova in the soils. Seven of the samples contained at least one of the following geohelminths: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis. The presence of these geohelminths in the soils was attributed to agricultural and sanitary practices inherent in the communities and the soil properties. Communities need to be sensitised on the importance of safe sanitary and animal husbandry practices to reduce the prevalence of helminth infection among geophagists.
Changes in the spectral powers of finger photoplethysmographic waveform variability in hemodialysis patients

This paper reports changes in the spectral powers of finger photoplethysmographic waveform variability (PPGV) following hemodialysis compared to pre-dialysis. The results are based on data collected from 12 hemodynamically stable patients having regular hemodialysis thrice weekly. Six minutes of continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) and finger infra-red photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals were collected at pre-dialysis and at end of dialysis. A four minute artefact free segment was selected and baseline and amplitude variabilities were derived from PPG waveform. Heart rate variability was derived from ECG R-R interval. Frequency spectrum analysis was then applied to these variability signals. The spectral powers were then calculated from low frequency (LF), mid frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) bands. The results indicate that LF (p = 3D 0.01) and MF (p = 3D 0.02) powers of baseline PPGV (expressed in mean-scaled units) and LF (p = 3D 0.006), MF (p = 3D 0.003) and HF (p = 3D 0.017) powers of amplitude PPGV (expressed in mean-scaled units) showed a significant increase at the end of dialysis compared to pre-dialysis. HRV spectral measures did not show any significant change. The increase in LF and MF powers in PPGV may suggest the recovery and further enhancement of peripheral sympathetic vascular modulation as a result of volume unloading in initially hypervolemic dialysis patients, at the same time the increase in respiratory HF power in PPGV may indicate preload reduction.
Comparison of Metabolic and Biomechanic Responses to Active vs. Passive Warm-up Procedures before Physical Exercise

Brunner-Ziegler, S, Strasser, B, and Haber, P. Comparison of metabolic and biomechanic responses to active vs. passive warm-up procedures before physical exercise. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 909-914, 2011-Active warm-up before physical exercise is a widely accepted practice to enhance physical performance, whereas data on modalities to passively raise tissue temperature are rare. The study compared the effect of active vs. passive warm-up procedures before exercise on energy supply and muscle strength performance. Twenty young, male volunteers performed 3 spiroergometer-test series without prior warm-up and after either an active or passive warm-up procedure. Oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2), heart rate (HR), pH value, and lactate were determined at 80% of individual &OV0312;O2max values and during recovery. Comparing no prior warm-up with passive warm-up, pH values were lower at the fourth test minute (p < 0.004), and lactate values were higher at the sixth and third minutes of recovery (p < 0.01 and p < 0.010, respectively), after no prior warm-up. Comparing active with passive warm-up, HR was lower, and &OV0312;o2 values were higher at the fourth and sixth test minutes (p < 0.033 and p < 0.011, respectively, and p < 0.015 and p < 0.022, respectively) after active warm-up. Differentiation between active and passive warm-up was more pronounced than between either warm-up or no warm-up. Conditions that may promote improved performance were more present after active vs. passive warm-up. Thus, athletes may reach the metabolic steady state faster after active warm-up.