Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
University of Southern Denmark Simultaneous Transplantation of Fetal Ventral Mesencephalic Tissue and Encapsulated Genetically Modified Cells Releasing GDNF in a Hemi-Parkinsonian Rat Model of Parkinson ’ s Disease

Transplantation of fetal ventral mesencephalic (VM) neurons for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is limited by poor survival and suboptimal integration of grafted tissue into the host brain. In a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of PD, we investigated the feasibility of simultaneous transplantation of rat fetal VM tissue and polymer-encapsulated C2C12 myoblasts genetically modified to produce glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or mock-transfected myoblasts on graft function. Amphetamine-induced rotations were assessed prior to transplantation and 2, 4, 6 and 9 wk posttransplantation. We found that rats grafted with VM transplants and GDNF capsules showed a significant functional recovery 4 wk after implantation. In contrast, rats from the VM transplant and mock-capsule group did not improve at any time point analyzed. Moreover, we detected a significantly higher number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-ir) cells per graft (2-fold), a tendency for a larger graft volume and an overall higher TH-ir fiber outgrowth into the host brain (1.7-fold) in the group with VM transplants and GDNF capsules as compared to the VM transplant and mock-capsule group. Most prominent was the TH-ir fiber outgrowth toward the capsule (9-fold). Grafting of GDNF-pretreated VM transplants in combination with the implantation of GDNF capsules resulted in a tendency for a higher TH-ir fiber outgrowth into the host brain (1.7-fold) as compared to the group transplanted with untreated VM transplants and GDNF capsules. No differences between groups were observed for the number of surviving TH-ir neurons or graft volume. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that simultaneous transplantation of fetal VM tissue and encapsulated GDNF-releasing cells is feasible and support the graft survival and function. Pretreatment of donor tissue with GDNF may offer a way to further improve cell transplantation approaches for PD.
Molecular Identification of Bipolaris cactivora on Dragon Fruit in Thailand

A fruit rot disease observed in white-fleshed dragon fruit, Hylocereus undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose, collected from Loei province, Thailand was studied to identify the causative agent. Common symptoms on the surface of the fruits were water-soaking brown spots with powdery signs. The diseased fruits were then isolated for the fungal pathogen. According to the morphology, Bipolaris cactivora (Petr.) Alcorn was the most possible one that caused the disease. To confirm this, the molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis using two gene sequences, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplified with ITS1 and ITS4 primers and elogation factor (EF) using 983F and 2218R primers were thus employed. Due to the statitical supports of high bootstrap score at 99% derived from Neighbour-joining method and potential interior propability, 100% calculated fron Baysian analysis, the fungal pathogen of rot disease on the dragon fruits was B. cactivora.
Comparison of observational posture evaluation methods based on perceived discomfort

Observational methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA have been widely used to identify posture-related risks of musculoskeletal disorders in industry, since they are useful and efficient in evaluating postural stresses. However. there are few studies comparing the methods and providing guidelines for selecting and using the methods. They have been developed based on different backgrounds and with different application areas. Each method has its own characteristics. which must be considered in selecting and using them. In this study. 17 male subjects evaluated 42 different working postures that frequently assumed in the automobile assembly line using a psychophysical method. The postures were then evaluated by different observational methods. The results of the observational methods were compared with psychophysically evaluated stresses. The observational methods resulted in different values of stresses for certain postures. For some postures showing high values of perceived discomfort. the observational methods showed different values of stresses. These results showed that the observational methods should be used differently according to application area and they have some weak points to be improved.
Proximal gradient flow and Douglas-Rachford splitting dynamics: global exponential stability via integral quadratic constraints

Many large-scale and distributed optimization problems can be brought into a composite form in which the objective function is given by the sum of a smooth term and a nonsmooth regularizer. Such problems can be solved via a proximal gradient method and its variants, thereby generalizing gradient descent to a nonsmooth setup. In this paper, we view proximal algorithms as dynamical systems and leverage techniques from control theory to study their global properties. In particular, for problems with strongly convex objective functions, we utilize the theory of integral quadratic constraints to prove global exponential stability of the differential equations that govern the evolution of proximal gradient and Douglas-Rachford splitting flows. In our analysis, we use the fact that these algorithms can be interpreted as variable-metric gradient methods on the forward-backward and the Douglas-Rachford envelopes and exploit structural properties of the nonlinear terms that arise from the gradient of the smooth part of the objective function and the proximal operator associated with the nonsmooth regularizer. We also demonstrate that these envelopes can be obtained from the augmented Lagrangian associated with the original nonsmooth problem and establish conditions for global exponential convergence even in the absence of strong convexity.
An evaluation of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mortality incidental to fishing operations in British Columbia, Canada

Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) mortality incidental to commercial fishing operations in British Columbia (BC), Canada was evaluated by two methods: a mailed questionnaire survey of all commercial fishing licence holders in the province; and a review of records of incidental catches, strandings and dead floating animals from published and unpublished sources. Of 5,375 surveys sent out, 848 were returned of which 729 could be used (15.8%). Forty-two incidents with gray whales were reported, including three mortalities. From sources other than the questionnaire for the period up to 1989, 41 records of stranded and dead floating gray whales were obtained, of which four were judged to have been killed incidentally in fishing operations. Twenty-six of these animals had not been examined closely, but extrapolation from the 15 detailed records suggests that 27% of the dead gray whales reported in BC die incidentally in fisheries. Collisions with fishing gear are estimated to occur approximately 20 times per year. Mortality occurs in salmon drift gillnet, salmon seine, longline and trap fisheries. There is also one record of an individual entangled and drowned in a herring net pen, as well as an individual entangled in a herring set gillnet. Estimates of annual mortality are approximately two individuals using data obtained from the questionnaire and 2.4 individuals using stranding data. Biases are present for both sampling methods, but the estimated mortality levels are small relative to population size. Subsequent records (n = 40) for the period 1990–95 were also examined for comparison.
My Own Private Nightlife

Private nightlife environments of young people are likely characterized by their physical attributes, particular ambiance, and activities, but relatively little is known about it from social media studies. For instance, recent work has documented ambiance and physical characteristics of homes using pictures from Airbnb, but questions remain on whether this kind of curated data reliably represents everyday life situations. To describe the physical and ambiance features of homes of youth using manual annotations and machine-extracted features, we used a unique dataset of 301 crowdsourced videos of home environments recorded in-situ by young people on weekend nights. Agreement among five independent annotators was high for most studied variables. Results of the annotation task revealed various patterns of youth home spaces, such as the type of room attended (e.g., living room and bedroom), the number and gender of friends present, and the type of ongoing activities (e.g., watching TV alone; or drinking, chatting and eating in the presence of others.) Then, object and scene visual features of places, extracted via deep learning, were found to correlate with ambiances, while sound features did not. Finally, the results of a regression task for inferring ambiances from those features showed that six of the ambiance categories can be inferred with R 2 in the [0.21, 0.69] range. Our work is novel with regard to the type of data (crowdsourced videos of real homes of young people) and the analytical design (combined use of manual annotation and deep learning to identify relevant cues), and contributes to the understanding of home environments represented through digital media.
Platelets in the Newborn

Platelets were first described in the mid-nineteenth century. Since then, their roles were identified in hemostasis and thrombosis, inflammation, leukocyte interactions, angiogenesis, and cancer growth. But there is little information about such platelet functions in the newborn. Several studies highlighted some platelet differences between newborns and adults. Yet, in spite of these differences, healthy newborns appear to be adequately protected. A number of factors, however, were reported to negatively affect neonatal platelets. These include maternal hypertensive disorders or infections, neonatal asphyxia or respiratory distress, therapies such as ampicillin or indomethacin, and treatment modalities such as ventilators, nitric oxide, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Their effects on newborn platelets are usually transitory, lasting from several hours to a few days or weeks. If these effects are well characterized, they could serve as reporters for diagnosis and monitoring during therapy. Careful studies of neonatal platelets are needed to improve the understanding of basic physiology and pathophysiology in this cohort and to identify possible targets for intervention and therapy.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA THESIS OR DISSERTATION FORMATTING TEMPLATE

of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy BENEFITS OF FEEDING RUMINALLY-PROTECTED CHOLINE FOR LACTATING DAIRY COWS AND CALVES By Marcos Gonzalo Zenobi May 2018 Chair: Charles Staples Major: Animal Sciences Although the role of dietary choline has been well studied in nonruminant animals and its positive impact on milk production by dairy cows are well documented, its effects on other aspects of dairy cow and calf performance are lacking. Feeding 12.9 vs. 0 g/d of ruminally-protected choline (RPC) ions during the periparturient period increased milk yield of multiparous cows by 2.2 kg/d over the 40-wk lactation period independent of the caloric intake prepartum. Other benefits of RPC ions included decreased incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia and increased output of immunoglobulins (Ig) in colostrum, pregnancy at first insemination, and average daily gain (ADG) of heifer calves. The immune system of RPC-fed cows demonstrated a reduced potential for inflammation as evidenced by decreasing rectal temperature over the first 12 days in milk (DIM), decreased plasma concentrations of haptoglobin prepartum and fibrinogen postpartum, decreased production of TNFalpha by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood cells, decreased relative transcript abundance (RTA) of genes for IL-8 and TNFalpha and increased RTA of genes for IL-10 by LPS-stimulated peripheral blood leukocytes. A second experiment sought to discover an optimum feeding amount of RPC ions to reduce accumulation of hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG). Feeding increasing amounts of
Growth of Tb – Sc – Al garnet single crystals by the micro-pulling down method

Tb3Sc2Al3O12 (TSAG) single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling down method, and the structure of TSAG was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This crystal has been investigated as a new material for optical isolators. The Verdet constant was measured for samples with different compositions and the absorption spectra in the range from 200 to 1000 nm are presented. r 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Mathematics Motivation in Students With Low Cognitive Ability: A Longitudinal Study of Motivation and Relations With Effort, Self-Regulation, and Grades.

Expectancy-value theory (EVT) is a popular framework to understand and improve students' motivation. Unfortunately, limited research has verified whether EVT predictions generalize to students with low levels of cognitive ability. This study relies on Grade 5 and 8 data from 177 students with low levels of cognitive ability and a matched sample of 177 students with average to high cognitive ability from the German "Project for the Analysis of Learning and Achievement in Mathematics. " Results showed that students with low levels of cognitive ability were able to differentiate EVT components. Both groups demonstrated a similar downward developmental trend in motivation from early to middle adolescence, and similar relations between EVT components and levels of efforts, self-regulation, and mathematics class grades.
A Survey of Mange-Mite in Stray Dogs from Hatay Province

Calismada; Hatay sokak kopeklerinde hem hayvanlar hem de insanlar icin halk sagligi problemi olan uyuz etkenlerinin varliginin arastirilmasi amaclanmistir. Hatay Buyuksehir Belediyesi Sahipsiz Hayvan Bakim ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi’ne 15 Eylul / 15 Kasim 2016 tarihleri arasinda girisi yapilan 100 kopekte her bir kopegin alti farkli bolgesinden numune alinarak uyuz etkenleri arastirilmistir . Yapilan incelemede Otodectes cynotis ’e rastlanmazken, Sarcoptes scabiei var. Canis %2, Demodex canis %21 oraninda pozitif bulunmustur. Klinik gorunum ve D. canis pozitifligi arasindaki fark istatistiksel olarak anlamli bulunmustur. (p 0.005). Kopeklerin yaklasik ¼’i D. canis ile enfekte bulunmustur. Yuksek orandaki uyuz enfestasyonu ayni cevreyi paylasan kopek sahipleri ve insanlar icin risk teskil edebilmektedir.
Chronic Kidney Disease is Associated with Physical Impairment

Background Physical impairment or frailty due to sarcopaenia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease and those receiving dialysis. This study examined the association between muscle weakness and kidney function in Japanese patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods A total of 23 stable outpatients were enrolled in the study. Several indices were used to assess muscle function; hand grip strength, isometric knee extension strength, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the short physical performance battery. The relationships between these indices and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a measure of kidney function were analysed statistically. Results Patients’ characteristics were as follows: mean age 73.9 years (standard deviation (SD) 13); 12 males, 11 females; body mass index (BMI) 22.5 kg/m2 (SD 3.2); serum creatinine (sCr) 4.6 mg/ dl (SD 3.7); estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 19.1 ml/min (SD 16). Their physical performance indices were: hand grip strength 20.8 kg (SD 7.9); isometric knee extension strength 19.1 kgf/kg (SD 10.6); TUG 14.9 s (SD 6.0); and short physical performance battery score 7.0 (SD 4.3). Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age revealed significant associations between isometric knee extension strength/body weight and eGFR (F [2,19] = 8.38, p = 0.002) and TUG and eGFR (F=4.98 [2,18], p = 0.02). Conclusion Deterioration in muscle function or maintenance of posture is associated with chronic kidney disease. LAY ABSTRACT Frailty due to sarcopaenia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease and those receiving dialysis. However, there is limited information available on the relationship between kidney function and such comorbidities in the Japanese chronic kidney disease population. Such comorbidities are a potential risk for poor physical activity, disability, falls, more frequent hospitalization and, especially, increased mortality. This study included a total of 23 stable outpatients, and measured several indices of muscle function, such as hand grip strength, isometric knee extension strength, Timed Up and Go test, and short physical performance battery. Relationships between these indices and kidney function, assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate, were then examined. Deterioration in muscle function and maintenance of posture were found to be associated with chronic kidney disease.
Educational Quality Improvement in Nigeria : Interventions , Challenges and the Way Forward

The focus of this paper is on Educational quality improvement in Nigeria. Education in this paper has been described as a process of learning that helps, in the provision of suitable skills, training for economic, social, cultural and political responsibilities, transmission and transformation of social, economic and cultural structures from generation to generation. Some of the areas in our educational system that seek intervention include private sector development and curriculum change among others. Funding, poses a major challenge to our educational system apart from institutional unrest. It is suggested among others that the Nigerian educational system should be properly funded. By both the government and private sectors. Keyword: Education, Quality improvement, interventions, and challenges. INTRODUCTION Education has been described as the foundation of every society and a basic tool for national development. Education consists of organized activities which promote learning situation. Education is a lifelong process and an instrument of change, a potent equalization of life chances (Odiba, 2007). According to Odiba (2012), education is a process of learning that assists in the provision of suitable skills, training the youths for economic, social, cultural and political responsibilities, transmission and transformation of social, economic and cultural structures from generation to generation. Education, certainly, is the key that opens the doors of modernization and globalization. Odiba (2004) posits that Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate and no despotism can enslave. Education is the reason for affluence and influence, enhancing the basis for knowledge and expertise. Considering the vital role that education plays as an agent of National development and globalization, there has been agitation for more functional and qualitative education all over the world. From historical antecedence, the agitation for quality education is contained in the Education For ALL (EFA) conferences in Jomtien (Thailand) in 1995 and Dakar in 2000 (Alaba, 2010). Alaba (2010) further posits that the effort at ensuring quality education was not left to the above bodies alone, other societies like Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE), Association for Computing in Education (AACE) and the Infonomics Society also sponsored and organized conferences and workshops aimed at ensuring quality and access to education. No nation can afford to sacrifice educational quality on the altar of ignorance and indifference. Hence, nations the world over, spend time and resources in ensuring quality education. According to the
Community Participation & Ownership of Sanitation and Hygiene in Western Nepal

Sudip Joshi. Community Ownership of Sanitation and Hygiene in Western Nepal. Language: English. Jarvenpaa, Autumn 2011, 114 p. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Diak South, Jarvenpaa Unit, Degree Programme in Social Services. The study specifically intends to assess the situation of community ownership of sanitation and hygiene in rural communities of Western Nepal through a community development perspective. It also appraises the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Western Nepal (RWSSP-WN) approach to improve the access of Western Nepal’s rural inhabitants to sanitation and hygiene. The research points out the core processes and insights on the community participation, community ownership, sustainability and local challenges in relation to rural Western Nepal. The research was undertaken in a descriptive and qualitative framework. The researcher used ‘data triangulation’, a process of collecting data by using more than two methods. Relevant secondary data was obtained from documentations, information on the internet, project records, and other published sources of major stakeholders in sanitation sector. For primary data collection semi structured interviews, participant direct observation of the target communities and focus group discussions were undertaken in the RWSSP-WN intervention villages. The findings suggest that the whole planning discourse of sanitation and hygiene activities in Western Nepal represent a strong engagement of communities in the implementation of sanitation and hygiene activities. The social planning involved in the pre-planning and planning phase of RWSSP-WN WASH program resonates the idea of social planning with the assessment of the community needs and problems in a participatory manner. Meanwhile, the collective community action, community development work, community based organizations and sustainability of the sanitation & hygiene activities consolidate the invaluable community ownership. The whole discourse has also been socially inclusive of marginalized groups and exemplary of women participation. This study confirms that the local patterns, structures and activities relating to sanitation and hygiene activities in Western Nepal have the authority and scope to enforce downward accountability and community ownership of overall sanitation and hygiene program. RWSSP-WN has also laid foundation stones for decentralization process of sector-wide water supply, sanitation and hygiene program implementation in Western Nepal.
TRAINING COMPACT NEURAL NETWORKS VIA

It is observed that overparameterization (i.e., designing neural networks whose number of parameters is larger than statistically needed to fit the training data) can improve both optimization and generalization while compact networks are more difficult to be optimized. However, overparameterization leads to slower testtime inference speed and more power consumption. To tackle this problem, we propose a novel auxiliary module to simulate the effect of overparameterization. During training, we expand the compact network with the auxiliary module to formulate a wider network to assist optimization while during inference only the original compact network is kept. Moreover, we propose to automatically search the hierarchical auxiliary structure to avoid adding supervisions heuristically. In experiments, we explore several challenging resource constraint tasks including light-weight classification, semantic segmentation and multi-task learning with hard parameter sharing. We empirically find that the proposed auxiliary module can maintain the complexity of the compact network while significantly improving the performance.
Dynamic Negative Binomial Di erence Model for High Frequency Returns ∗ PRELIMINARY AND INCOMPLETE

We introduce the dynamic ∆NB model for nancial tick by tick data. Our model explicitly takes into account the discreteness of the observed prices, fat tails of tick returns and intraday patterns of volatility. We propose a Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation method, which takes advantage of an auxiliary mixture representation of the ∆NB distribution. We illustrate our methodology using tick by tick data of several stocks from the NYSE in di erent periods. Using predictive likelihoods we nd evidence in favour of the dynamic ∆NB model.