Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smartphone Fundus Photography Enhancement for Retinopathy of Prematurity Disease Diagnosis Using Deep Learning

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is the highest cause of childhood blindness globally with babies born preterm having a higher probability of contracting the disease. The disease diagnosis remains an economic burden to many countries, lack of enough ophthalmologists for the disease diagnosis coupled with non-existent national screening guidelines still remains a challenge. To diagnose the disease, a fundus photography is conducted, printout images are analyzed to determine the presence or absence of the disease. With the increase in the development of smartphones having advanced image capturing and processing features, the utilization of smartphones to capture retina image for disease diagnosis is becoming a common trend. For regions where ophthalmologists are few and/or for low resource regions with few or no retina capturing equipment, the use of smartphones to capture retina images for retina diseases is an effective method. This, however, is challenged: different smartphones produce images of different resolutions; some images are darker others lighter and with different resolution. A smartphone retina image capturing has a smaller field of view ranging between 450–900 which is a major limitation. A lens to support a bigger view can be combined with this approach to provide a wide view of 1300. This enlargement however distorts the image quality and may result in losing some image features. To overcome these challenges, this work develops an improved U-Net model to preprocess images captured using smartphones for ROP disease diagnosis. Our focus is to determine the presence or absence of the disease from smartphone captured images. Because the images are captured under a smaller field of view (FOV), we develop an improved U-Net model by adding patches to enhance image circumference and extract all features from the image and use the extracted features to train a U-Net model for the disease diagnosis. The model results outperformed similar recent developments with an AUC of 0.9890, F1 Score of 0.8216, Accuracy of 0.9807, Sensitivity of 0.8550 and Specificity of 0.8340 on testing results.
Spatial distribution of tuberculosis and relationship with living conditions in an urban area of Campina Grande

This research aimed to study the spatial distribution of tuberculosis and its relationship with living conditions in the urban area of the city of Campina Grande in the period from 2004 until 2007. It is an ecologic study which used the city’s neighborhood distribution; demographic, social and economic data from year 2000 census; and the new cases of tuberculosis reported to the Disease and Reporting Information System. Georeferencing was done for the cases of tuberculosis, and disease incidence was calculated by neighborhood. Rates were softened and the Global Moran Index was calculated. Social-economic data were grouped in quartiles according to the Life Condition Index, calculating the incidence of TB in each stratum of living conditions. The results showed that the spatial distribution of tuberculosis in the city is not uniform. Grouping neighborhoods according to the Life Conditions Index revealed social differences that can justify the occurrence of higher incidence rates in the most socially and economically vulnerable regions. The best living condition stratum presented a high incidence possibly due to the underreporting of the cases of tuberculosis caused mainly by the centralization of disease control services. We hope that this study may help outline control strategies for the city of Campina Grande, from the perspective of health promotion, for a disease so socially determined, as is the case of TB.
Physico-chemical and Biological Properties of a New Portland Cement-based Root Repair

Published online: 2 November 2017 DOI 10.5152/eej.2017. 17008 INTRODUCTION Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a root repair material with Portland cement (PC) and bismuth oxide as major components (1). Several studies have shown that both MTA and PC present similar physicochemical and biological properties (2-5). PC has been proposed as an alternative material to MTA, but its major disadvantage is that it does not achieve the radiopacity level required to be distinguished from the surrounding anatomical structures, thus requiring the addition of a radiopacifying agent prior to its use as an endodontic material (6).
Preliminary application of Infrared Imaging Technology in Detecting Grouting on Delaminated Wall-Painting of Cave 98 Mogao Grottoes

When there are detachments in walls happens,the thermal conductivities between the location with detachment and without detachment are different,also their response to the process of temperature elevation and decline.The size and location of detachment can be analyzed according to the distinction of surface temperature caught by Infrared Imaging.It can influence the change of the surface temperature of wall if the temperature of grout is different from the wall when grouting.Flow direction can be estimated intuitively and accurately according to the change of the surface temperature of the wall.After field tests,it can be found that Infrared Imaging can detect the detachment and grouting process of wall painting visualized and quickly.It plays an important role in judging the detachment and controlling the grouting process.It is a better method which can be used to detect the detachment and grouting process of wall painting nondestructively.
igG4-related disease: current challenges and future prospects

: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) represents an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory condition with a characteristic histopathological appearance that can affect various organs. Although numerous single-organ manifestations have been described more than a century ago, its systemic nature and unique features were only discovered in the last 2 decades, when IgG4-RD emerged as a new entity of disease. IgG4-RD is usually considered a rare disease, but its true epidemiology has not yet been fully clarified. Also, despite recent advances in the identification of the underlying immunological processes, its pathophysiology is only incompletely understood till now. The diagnostic workup of IgG4-RD is complex and usually requires a combination of clinical examination, imaging, histological, and serological analyses. However, no finding alone is specific for IgG4-RD. Therefore, its diagnosis requires careful interpretation of examination results in context with the patient’s clinical appearance as well as the exclusion of a broad variety of differential diagnoses. The past years brought rapid advances concerning this novel disease entity: diagnostic criteria, further insights into the underlying immunological processes, new biomarkers, and novel therapeutic approaches were proposed and widened the knowledge in the field of IgG4-RD. Still, a greater number of questions remain unanswered, and many recent developments require further discussion and proof from clinical trials. This review should give an overview on current knowledge and future perspectives in epidemiology, of
Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Withania coagulans (Dunal) with rol A Genes and Its Antioxidant Potential

In ancient times, Withania coagulans Dunal was used as a therapeutic plant for the treatment of several diseases. This report aims to examine the effect of Agrobacterium tumefactions-mediated transformation of W. coagulans with the rolA gene to enhance secondary metabolite production, antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity of transformed tissues. Before transgenic plant production, the authors designed an efficient methodology for in vitro transformation. In this study, leaf explants were cultured on Murashage and Skoog (MS) media containing different amounts of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and benzyl adenine (BA). The best performance for inducing embryogenic callus was in MS medium containing 4 μM NAA and 6.0 μM BA, while the best results for shooting (100%) were obtained at 8 μM benzyl adenine. On the other hand, direct shooting was attained by subculturing leaves on MS medium supplemented with 8 μM benzyl adenine. Prolonged shoots showed excellent in vitro rooting results (80%) with 12 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The samples were precultivated for 3 days and were followed by 48 h infection with A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 having pCV002. Then, a vector expressed the rol A gene of strain Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Furthermore, three independent transgenic shoot lines and one callus line (T2) were produced and exhibited stable integration of transgene rol A genes, as revealed by PCR analysis. Transgenic strains showed a significant increase in antioxidant potential as compared to untransformed plants. Additionally, LC-MS analysis showed that the transformed strains have a higher withanolide content as compared to untransformed ones. Moreover, the reduced proliferation of prostate cancer cells was observed after treatment with extracts of transgenic plants. Furthermore, these transformed plants exhibited superior antioxidant capability and higher withanolide content than untransformed ones. In conclusion, the reported data can be used to select withanolide-rich germplasm from transformed cell cultures.
Contribution à l'Étude des Matériaux Composites Dans le Renforcement et la Réparation Des Éléments Structuraux Linéaires en Béton

Ce travail concerne, l'etude du comportement axial et radial resultant de l'effet du confinement externe procure par une enveloppe en materiau composite a base de fibres de carbone (PRFC) ou de fibre de verre (PRFV). Pour l'ensemble des specimens testes, l'augmentation de la rigidite du confinement entraine a la fois une augmentation de la resistance a la compression et de la ductilite. L'effet de la resistance du beton non confine f'co sur l'efficacite du confinement ete remarquable pour les deux type de sections etudiees (a savoir les sections circulaires et carrees). Les specimens en B.A endommages apres avoir ete renforces par 3 couches de composite PRFC, se comportaient d'une maniere tout a fait comparable a celle des specimens similaires non endommages. Compares aux specimens de references, le confinement par composite PRFC ete tres efficaces pour tous les specimens quelque soient leurs taux d'endommagement initial (40, 60, 80 ou 100 % de la charge de rupture). A travers ce travail, nous esperons presenter pour les futurs chercheurs une modeste contribution a la comprehension du comportement mecanique du beton confine avec des composites PRF.
Identification of Three Genes of Known Function Expressed by Alveolar Epithelial Type I Cells

To identify genes of known function expressed by type I (AT1) cells, changes in gene expression during transdifferentiation of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) in primary culture from type II (AT2) to type I–like cell phenotype were evaluated. Total RNA from AEC on Day 0 or Day 8 was hybridized to a rat microarray for screening. Eight upregulated genes on Day 8 were selected for further investigation. Northern analysis confirmed upregulation of three of these genes, PAI-1, P2X4, and P15INK4B. The corresponding proteins were evaluated in cultured AEC and results correlated with expression in AT1 cells. In AEC monolayers, all three proteins increased between Day 1 and Day 8. In mixed populations of freshly isolated rat lung cells, concurrent labeling with the AT1 cell-specific antibody, VIIIB2, localized these proteins to AT1 cells. In whole lung, all three proteins were detected in alveolar epithelium in a location consistent with expression in AT1 cells. Identification of novel AT1 cell genes of known function suggests an active role for AT1 cells in alveolar homeostasis. Furthermore, expression of these gene products in AT1-like cells, in freshly isolated AT1 cells, and AT1 cells in whole lung indicates that AT1-like cells reflect many of the properties of AT1 cells in situ.
PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES AND DROUGHT RESISTANCE INDEX OF NINE WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) CULTIVARS UNDER DIFFERENT MOISTURE CONDITIONS

Nine commercial wheat cultivars of Pakistan viz; Inqulab-91, AS-2002, Sehar-2006, Shafaq-2006, Bhakkar-2002, Auqab-2000, GA-2002, Chakwal-50 and Fareed-06 were evaluated for their physiological performance and drought resistance index under different levels of soil moisture. Germination of these cultivars was tested under PEG induced osmotic stress of -2, -4, -6, and -8 bars. Highest germination percentage was observed for Fareed-06, Chakwal-50, GA-2002 and AS-2002 at -8 bars osmotic stress. To study physiological responses and drought resistance index, plants were grown in clay pots and water equivalent to 75%, 50% and 25% field capacity was applied. Decrease in soil moisture significantly affected relative water content, leaf succulence, chlorophyll content, cell membrane stability index, number of grains/spike and 100 grain weight. Significant variation was found among cultivars. Based on physiological responses and drought resistance index performance of Chakwal-50, GA-2002 and Bhakkar-2002 were found relatively better under limited moisture conditions.
Chemical Speciation of PM 2.5 in Urban and Rural Areas

Data from the Interagency Monitoring of PROtected Visual Environment (IMPROVE) and the Speciation Trends Network (STN) are used to analyze the chemical composition of PM 2.5 and to explore issues associated with interpretation of their measurements. The data from the largely rural IMPROVE network and urban STN are used to examine spatial patterns and to develop estimates of the local urban excess over the regional background concentrations. This work will give some insights into which of the chemical constituents are driving urban excess of PM 2.5 mass in different regions of the United States.
Volume-Accuracy Relationship in Soil Moisture Sampling

The number of soil samples required to achieve a given level of accuracy of the mean value is directly proportional to the variance of the samples. Analysis of a set of soil samples of different sample volumes showed that there is a relationship between the variance of the samples and the sample volume. Generally, a larger sample volume results in a lower variance because the larger sample includes more of the overall spatial variability than a smaller sample. Samples of eight different sizes were collected; sample volumes ranged from about 7 to 825 cm³ (1/2 to 50 in³). Analysis of variance techniques were used to determine the relationships between both bias and sample volume and precision and sample volume. This analysis showed that when sampling to a depth of 10 cm (4 in), the minimum desirable sampling volume is about 50 cm³ (3 in³); smaller volumes will result in lower precision of the mean value. There does not seem to be any direct relationship between bias and sample volume. The minimum desirable sampling volume is a function of the homogeneity of the area being sampled and the elapsed time since the last significant rainfall.
Influence of within-stand tree spatial arrangement on snowpack distribution and ablation in the Sierra Nevada, CA

Much of the Sierra Nevada forests are overstocked with too many trees, are at risk of burning in stand-replacing wildfires due to the fuel loading, contain almost complete canopy coverage over the landscape and intercept a substantial portion of the snowpack, and in need of thinning. New research shows that forest thinning patterns allowing for forest structures comprising of clumps of varying density, single individual trees, and forest gaps are what the historic stands in Sierra Nevada were comprised of. In addition to returning the forest to historic stand structure, forest thinning will also allow for greater amounts of snowpack to reach the forest floor and persist longer into the season before complete meltout. This study set out to see if this new thinning spacing pattern would affect snow accumulation or ablation rates as compared with the current standard even-tree spacing. Data from four snow surveys, distributed light/temperature sensors, hemispherical photographs, and a small distributed network of snow-depth sensors were analyzed from three different forest treatments in the Sierra Nevada. The first treatment consisted of variable thinning, which reduced the stems per acre by 80%, the basal area per acre by 40%, and created a heterogeneous forest structure with small gaps and clumps of trees of varying density. The second forest treatment reduced the stems per acre and the basal area per acre stand down to similar levels as the variable thinning, however the residual trees were left to replicate a homogenous, even spacing. An unthinned control provided a comparison to pre-treatment conditions. Snow-survey data showed that approximately 10-20% more snow accumulated in the two thinning treatments than in the control. Differences in snow depth between the two thinning treatments were statistically insignificant. Snow-survey results also indicated that the variable treatments kept snow on the ground longer than the even treatments in the 2013 water year, which had a peak snow water equivalent (SWE) of 17.9 cm, and melted out at approximately the same time as the control units. In 2014 the peak SWE recorded was only 6.3 cm, both the variable and even treatments melted out at the same time, and the control units kept a steady snowpack for approximately 1-3 days longer. Data from snow-surveys, distributed light/temperature sensors and snow-depth sensors showed that more snow accumulated in the open than at the drip edge and under the forest canopy, and that melt rates are faster in the open than under the canopy. Our data showed that the variable treatment held the snowpack longer and exhibited a slower melt rate than did the even treatments indicating a possibility to retain substantial amounts of snow in the mountains longer if this thinning structure were to be implemented on a landscape level.
EFFECTS OF SOWING DATE ON GRAIN DEVELOPMENT TRENDS IN MAIZE HYBRIDS IN JIROFT ENVIRONMENT

In order to determine the effects of sowing date on grain development in four maize hybrids, a field experiment was carried out as a RCBD in split plot arrangement with three replications at experimental farm of Islamic Azad University of Jiroft, Iran (Lat. 26.43°N., Long. 56.17°E., Alt. 620 m.) in 2006. Main factor included four sowing dates (July 16, August 1, August 16 and September 1) and sub-factor included four hybrids (ZP434, BC504, NS540 and KSC704). During grain filling period, grain samples were taken in five different times and their grain dry weights were measured. Grain filling rate, effective filling period and kernel weight were determined. Results showed significant differences among the genotypes and sowing dates, while their interaction was not significant. Grain weight variation trends during grain filling period could be explained by an exponential equation. Delayed sowing date reduced the grain filling rate and grain weight by nearly 50% and 30%, respectively and increased the effective filling period by about 17%. The fastest grain filling rate was observed in NS504; hybrids KSC704 and ZP434 were moderate and NS540 showed the slowest grain filling rate.
Obstacles to crop diversification and cotton harvest mechanisation: Farm survey evidence from two contrasting districts in Uzbekistan

The dominance of cotton in the irrigated areas of Central Asia has long been criticized for its ecological effects on salinization and desertification. From an economic point of view, this monoculture ties producers to state procurement, has led to the recurrent mobilization of manual labour during harvest campaigns and makes farmers vulnerable to water availability and crop failure. Crop diversification and harvest mechanisation have been proposed as strategies to mitigate these effects, provide alternative income generation channels and increase farmers´ flexibility in dealing with reduced water availability. This contribution uses 2014 survey data from two districts in Uzbekistan, Jondor in Bukhara province and Zangiota in Tashkent province, to inform this debate by identifying real-world obstacles to these strategies. The first district is dominated by the conventional cotton and wheat rotation introduced after 1991. The second district is home to a wide range of high-value crops (HVC), in particular fruits and vegetables. The evidence shows how HVCs can be a profitable alternative to the state-mandated monocultures. Moreover, water productivity of HVCs is much higher. Even so, there is practically no hands-on experience of harvest mechanisation in the traditional cotton region so far. In addition to the state delivery targets, a lack of finance, absent connections to city markets, missing role models and the complete inexperience of farmers with alternative technologies will impede a further expansion of crop diversification and the mechanisation of harvest operations.
GLONASS Aided GPS Ambiguity Fixed Precise Point Positioning

The Precise Point Positioning (PPP) concept enables centimetre-level positioning accuracy by employing one Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. The main advantage of PPP over conventional Real Time Kinematic (cRTK) methods is that a local reference network infrastructure is not required. Only a global reference network with approximately 50 stations is needed because reference GNSS data is required for generating precise error correction products for PPP. However, the current implementation of PPP is not suitable for some applications due to the long time period (i.e. convergence time of up to 60 minutes) required to obtain an accurate position solution. This paper presents a new method to reduce the time required for initial integer ambiguity resolution and to improve position accuracy. It is based on combining GPS and GLONASS measurements to calculate the ﬂ oat ambiguity positioning solution initially, followed by the resolution of GPS integer ambiguities. The results show that using the GPS/GLONASS ﬂ oat solution can, on average, reduce the time to initial GPS ambiguity resolution by approximately 5% compared to using the GPS ﬂ oat solution alone. In addition, average vertical and horizontal positioning errors at the initial ambiguity resolution epoch can be reduced by approximately 17% and 4%, respectively.
Stability of Stones under Uniform Flow

The present technical note aims to discuss a depth-averaged turbulence parameter in relation to the incipient motion of particles. The proposed stability equation emphasizing a depth-averaged turbulence parameter, is validated for the cases of bed protection in a steep channel and on a broad-crested weir. A design diagram representing load and resistance of movement has been introduced for turbulent flow conditions in which the transport of particles or the damage to the bed protection is expressed by the critical Shields parameter.