Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Supervised Adversarial Learning for Domain Adaptation of Pavement Distress Classification

Pavement distress classification is crucial for the maintenance of highways. Although many methods for classifying pavement distress are available, they all assume that training and testing datasets are drawn from the same distribution. When we introduce a new unlabeled dataset with a different distribution, the performance of existing methods decreases considerably due to domain shift, motivating us to look beyond the supervised setting to utilize unlabeled datasets directly in training a model. Therefore, we develop a novel unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) framework, namely, the Self-supervised Adversarial Network (SSAN) for the first time in this study to conduct multi-category pavement distress classification on an unlabeled target domain. In particular, SSAN leverages adversarial domain adaptation (ADA) thoughts to align the features of different domains. However, distress typically occupies a small Section of high-resolution pavement images. Consequently, aligning features directly is unreasonable because the aligning procedure is still dominated by background features instead of foreground features, which are the most useful information for classification. Therefore, we design a pretext module, called Self-supervised Learning for the Target domain (SLT), to mine foreground information. To validate our method, we use two challenging pavement crack datasets, namely, the Chonqing University Bituminous Pavement Disease Detection (CQU-BPDD) and the Chongqing University Bituminous Pavement Multi-label Disease Detection (CQU-BPMDD) datasets. Moreover, extensive experiments demonstrate that SSAN outperforms state-of-the-art UDA methods.
Markers of Glucagon Resistance Improve With Reductions in Hepatic Steatosis and Body Weight in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Context Hyperglucagonemia may develop in type 2 diabetes due to obesity-prone hepatic steatosis (glucagon resistance). Markers of glucagon resistance (including the glucagon-alanine index) improve following diet-induced weight loss, but the partial contribution of lowering hepatic steatosis vs body weight is unknown. Objective This work aimed to investigate the dependency of body weight loss following a reduction in hepatic steatosis on markers of glucagon resistance in type 2 diabetes. Methods A post hoc analysis was conducted from 2 previously published randomized controlled trials. We investigated the effect of weight maintenance (study 1: isocaloric feeding) or weight loss (study 2: hypocaloric feeding), both of which induced reductions in hepatic steatosis, on markers of glucagon sensitivity, including the glucagon-alanine index measured using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and metabolomics in 94 individuals (n = 28 in study 1; n = 66 in study 2). Individuals with overweight or obesity with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to a 6-week conventional diabetes (CD) or carbohydrate-reduced high-protein (CRHP) diet within both isocaloric and hypocaloric feeding-interventions. Results By design, weight loss was greater after hypocaloric compared to isocaloric feeding, but both diets caused similar reductions in hepatic steatosis, allowing us to investigate the effect of reducing hepatic steatosis with or without a clinically relevant weight loss on markers of glucagon resistance. The glucagon-alanine index improved following hypocaloric, but not isocaloric, feeding, independently of macronutrient composition. Conclusion Improvements in glucagon resistance may depend on body weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Traditional Dual Growing Rods With 2 Different Apical Control Techniques in the Treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis

Objective Based on traditional dual growing rods (TDGR), apical control techniques (ACTs) were introduced as adjuvant procedures to improve deformity correction at the apex segment in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis (EOS). We aimed to explore whether TDGR+ ACTs have different indications, attain more deformity correction, have negative effects on spinal growth, and have different complications. Methods Between 2004 and 2019, a retrospective study of EOS patients treated with TDGR with or without ACTs was conducted and divided into 3 groups: TDGR group; hybrid technique (HT) group: Vertebrectomy/hemivertebrectomy with short fusion and TDGR; ACPS group: apical convex control pedicle screws (ACPS) and TDGR. Demographic, radiographic parameters, clinical outcomes, complications, and revisions were analyzed and compared. Results Seventy-eight EOS patients were enrolled. The preoperative main curve was the largest in the HT group. ACPS group had the smallest residual curve (19° ± 8.9°) and apical vertebral translation (12.0 ± 9.0 mm) at the latest follow-up, followed by the HT group (30° ± 17.4°, 22.1 ± 13.4 mm) and TDGR group (30° ± 13.2°, 32.8 ± 17.1 mm). ACPS group had the largest T1–12 height and T1–S1 height after index surgery. Complications and revisions in the ACTs groups was lower than the TDGR group. Scoliosis Research Society-22 self-image questionnaire was superior in the ACPS group. Conclusion According to our intermediate results, TDGR+ACTs could improve correction ability of apex deformity. ACTs had little deleterious effects on spinal height during the lengthening procedures, with a lower complication rate than TDGR. TDGR+ACTs might be a supplemental option for suitable EOS patients.
The influence of COVID-19 Mortality Rate Formats on Emotional Reactions, Risk perception, and self-protective Behavioral Intentions

Abstract We investigated whether different Mortality Rate Formats used to express the same objective probability affected people’s Emotional reactions, Risk perception, and protective behavioral intentions. A sample from the Italian population (N = 604) was exposed to six different formats (i.e. Absolute value; Raw ratio; 1 in X; Verbal; Percentage; Probability) to report the mortality rate of COVID-19 in a between-subject design. In line with expectations, the Probability format led to lower emotional reactions compared to all the other formats. Moreover, results from a path analysis revealed that emotional reactions predicted risk perception. The Mortality Rate Formats also had an indirect effect on Behavioral Intentions to protect oneself, which was mediated by emotional reactions and risk perception. The effect sizes of these indirect effects ranged from small to medium. The direct effect of risk on intentions was found to differ among two dimensions of risk. Affective Risk led to higher Behavioral Intentions, while Deliberative Risk had the opposite effect. We discuss these results in line with the ongoing debate regarding the role played by risk scientists during the pandemic and offer practical implications for risk management during health crises like COVID-19.
Ground-based GPS networks for remote sensing of the atmospheric water vapour content: a review

The variability in the atmospheric water vapour content is an important parameter both for operational weather forecasting and climate research. In this presentation I will first describe the interplay between the atmosphere and the accuracy of the estimated positions and vectors that can be obtained in space geodesy. Thereafter, I will focus on how the efforts to model the atmospheric influence on space geodetic measurements led to the application of measuring the water vapour content of the atmosphere. Two major applications have been seen so far: close to real time analyses for use of data in weather forecasting, and (2) the long term application of climate monitoring.
Perceptions on English Communication Skills Training for Hotel Front Office Employees

Successful communication is key to lucrative hospitality industry. Communication in this industry is an important factor and plays a role in a smooth and effective interaction between the hotel service staff and their customers. English communication skills training is associated with several benefits including enhanced job performance, high guest satisfaction and sustainable growth in today’s competitive hotel business. This paper surveys front office employees’ satisfaction toward an implemented English communication skills training at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Participants’ satisfaction on the training content and method were assessed via questionnaire and group interview session. The results reveal that most of the participant had encouraging attitudes towards the method and content of the training. Findings of this study help to create the awareness among employers, human resource managers and industrial experts to reconsider the content and methodology of communication skill training for hotel staff. Implications of well-designed English communication skills training for hotel front office employees were discussed.
Quantitative evaluation of retinal and choroidal microcirculation in inactive ocular sarcoidosis

Purpose: To evaluate retinal and choroidal alterations in eyes with inactive ocular sarcoidosis and to compare the findings with healthy controls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 11 patients with inactive ocular sarcoidosis (study group) and 11 healthy individuals (control group). Retinal and choroidal vascular differences were evaluated using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and enhanced depth imaging–optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Results: A total of 21 eyes of ocular sarcoidosis patients without active inflammation and 22 eyes of healthy controls were analyzed. The mean whole-image deep capillary plexus vessel density was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P = 0.03). The acircularity index values were significantly higher, and the foveal density-300 values were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P = 0.01, both). The flow areas of the choriocapillaris at 1-, 2-, and 3-mm radius areas were also significantly lower in the study group (all P < 0.01). The mean choroidal thickness (CT) was significantly lower in all regions between nasal and temporal at 3000 μm in the study group (all P < 0.05). The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) values were also significantly lower in the study group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Ocular sarcoidosis was associated with a reduction in CT and the CVI with a decrease in retinal vessel density and choriocapillary flow parameters. The combination of OCTA and EDI-OCT imaging may be useful in monitoring ocular sarcoidosis eyes to detect alterations in the retinal and choroidal layers.
Classification of stream biological condition within the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Human land use activities at the landscape scale are increasingly the largest threat to the biological condition of watershed and stream ecosystems. The Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW), a particularly valuable watershed within the United States, has undergone considerable land use change over the past 400 years and faces many restoration challenges. Using fish indicators of biological integrity (IBIs), and data for land use, land cover, and environmental attributes, five empirical models (CART model, Random Forest, Conditional Tree, Conditional Forest, and ordinal logistic regression) were used to predict the biological condition of 1st-3rd order streams within the CBW. After the models were evaluated using resubstitution and 10-fold cross validation, the highest performing model was identified (Random Forest) and extrapolated to 71,182 stream sites within the CBW using geographic information software (GIS). Of these sites, 49% (35,006 sites) were classified as having " Good " biological condition, 24% (16,826 sites) as having " Fair " biological condition, and 27% (19,350 sites) as having " Poor " biological condition. The variable importance plot generated by the Random Forest (RF) model showed that watershed area (upslope of sampling location, km 2) was the most important variable, followed by percentage of impervious surface cover, and percentage of pasture cover. Additionally, the Random Forest's partial dependence plots showed the marginal effect of each variable on the class probability. As watershed area (km 2) increases, there is a higher probability of a " fair " or " good " classification of stream biological condition; with a threshold watershed area of approximately 20 – 25 km 2. Also, as the percentage of impervious surface cover increases, there is a greater probability of a poor classification of stream condition (threshold of ~5% impervious surface cover). The results of this study may help environmental and land use managers understand the effects of human land use and make more effective land use decisions to address watershed impairment within the CBW.
TEACHERS OF ENGLISH EXPERIENCE OF PROVIDING FEEDBACK ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE DURING WAR IN UKRAINE

Living in a constantly changing information space is related to developing feedback literacy. The article aimed to explore experience of providing feedback by teachers who taught English in Ukraine during wartime. To achieve this aim we answered research questions about various kinds of feedback, their effectiveness, and importance of providing feedback. We administered teachers’ survey, collected data, analysed and presented
Non-governmental organizations’ impact in a sustainable context : A case study from ActionAid Denmark’s Global Platform Mt. Kenya

As the world globalizes and people travel more, volunteering has never been more popular to combine with a cultural exchange. Many countries have volunteers and non-governmental organizations which try to help that country’s vulnerable. This study investigates the impact of non-governmental organizations through a case study done at one of ActionAid Denmark’s Global Platforms in Kenya. This Platform works as one of ActionAid’s training hubs where participants from mostly Denmark and Kenya take part in courses focusing on capacity building and global citizenship. Their aim is to provide knowledge to facilitate social change. By using qualitative data in the form of interviews and observation, this study makes an impact assessment and evaluates what impact the Mt. Kenya platform actually achieves and what challenges there might be. Questions about the impact and challenges are asked to a wide range of involved people at the Platform, namely participants, staff, locals and neighbors. This study’s theoretical concept employs the theories “4 Levels of Evaluation” developed by Donald Kirkpatrick and Robert Brinkerhoff’s “The Success Case Method” as well as Jack Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning and Beck’s & Purcell’s theory of social change. The analysis shows that the trainings themselves make a tremendous impact on the individuals participating in the Platform’s trainings. The courses are well structured and executed by the facilitators. The concept where different cultures meet and interact is a success in itself. To make even more impact in the community and for the people in the surrounding area, the Platform needs to be more visible to the locals and improve its marketing and communication activities so the locals want to participate more.
Calculation of Nonuniform Sediment Concentrations

A method of calculating sediment concentration and discharge for large range mixtures is presented. An attempt is made to determine that part of hydraulic radii which is responsible for sediment discharge rate for granular beds with channel configurations. A comparison of theoretical calculations using the proposed method with field (nature) measurements and with results of the H. Einstein 1950 method and its modification is made.
THE INFLUENCE OF A CROWN WALL ON WAVE OVERTOPPING OVER BREAKWATERS

This paper investigates the influence of a crown wall on wave overtopping on rubble mound breakwaters. Existing data is used to modify the EurOtop overtopping formula updated by Eldrup et al. (2022) to cover the influence of the crown wall. The effect of raising the wall above the armour crest (elevated wall) or lowering the wall below the armour crest (lowered wall) is investigated. A crown wall at the armour crest level is considered as the reference case. By increasing the elevation of either the armour crest or the crown wall, overtopping is reduced and by lowering either of them, overtopping increases. The influence of the crown wall height, elevated or lowered compared to the armour crest, is not considered accurately in the present design guidelines and thus corrections are suggested. For an elevated wall, a modified crest width has been defined, to better describe the presence of the armour crest in front of the wall. For the lowered wall the effective freeboard might be taken as the average of the wall and armour freeboards. The improvement compared to existing methods is significant, especially for breakwaters with a large elevated wall. The proposed modifications to the EurOtop Manual increase the range of applicability with respect to the wall configuration.
Spatial distribution of unmonitored inland water fluxes to the sea

Water and vapour flows from land to sea and the atmosphere are important for water resources, coastal ecosystems and climate. This thesis investigates possible methods for modelling these flows under often encountered unmonitored hydrological conditions and data limitations. Two contrasting types of drainage basin and associated data limitation/availability cases are considered: the Swedish unmonitored near-coastal catchment areas Forsmark and Simpevarp, for which detailed spatial but not much temporal variability data is available; and the much larger Aral Sea Drainage Basin (ASDB), for which spatial hydrological information is limited, while there is relatively well-known temporal change occurring in the Aral Sea itself and in the land and water use of the region over the last 50 years.The hydrologic modelling for the Forsmark and Simpevarp catchment areas showed that the relatively large focused stream flows, and the mean values and total sums of the diffuse small stream-groundwater flow fields in between the large stream flows from land to sea are largely constrained by the catchment hydrological balances and relatively robust and certain to estimate. The ASDB hydrologic modelling indicated an evapotranspiration return flow to the atmosphere from the irrigation water input on irrigated land that is much higher than previous estimates in atmospheric modelling, implying possible considerably larger than previously estimated non-local water and climate effects of the world’s irrigated areas. The more detailed groundwater-seawater dynamics modelling carried out for the coastal parts of the ASDB showed that regional topography and bathymetry largely influence coastal water fluxes during sea level lowering, with the Aral Sea shrinkage decreasing the seawater intrusion risk into the coastal groundwater considerably more for steeper than for flatter coastal topography parts of the region.
Progression after First-Line Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibitor Treatment: Analysis of Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Data

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6iss) are widely used in first-line metastatic breast cancer. For patients with progression under CDK4/6is, there is currently no standard treatment recommended at the category 1 level in international guidelines. The purpose of this article is to review the cellular mechanisms underlying the resistance to CDK4/6is, as well as treatment strategies and the clinical data about the efficacy of subsequent treatments after CDK4/6is-based therapy. In the first part, this review mainly discusses cell-cycle-specific and cell-cycle-non-specific resistance to CDK4/6is, with a focus on early and late progression. In the second part, this review analyzes potential therapeutic approaches and the available clinical data on them: switching to other CDK4/6is, to another single hormonal therapy, to other target therapies (PI3K, mTOR and AKT) and to chemotherapy.
Mapping Bottom Type and Water Depth in Shallow Coastal Waters with Satellite Remote Sensing

VAHTMAE, E. , KUTSER, T. , 2007. Mapping bottom type and water depth in shallow coastal waters with satellite remote sensing. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 185 – 189. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 Species composition of benthic macroalgal cover and the changes therein are indicators of the trophic state of aquatic ecosystems. On the other hand, mapping and knowledge of water depth in shallow water areas, not accessible by hydrographical ships, is important for several reasons. This study assessed the suitability of high spatial resolution multispectral and medium spatial resolution hyperspectral data for mapping water depth and benthic macroalgal cover in shallow coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. Results of this study indicate that use of multispectral satellite data with high spatial resolution is preferable to using hyperspectral medium resolution data in mapping benthic macroalgal cover in areas where the spatial heterogeneity is very high. In case of a single image and availability of in situ data, multispectral high spatial resolution (2.4 m) satellite QuickBird can provide more detailed information about benthic cover than was assumed based on the shape of reflectance spectra of different bottom types and spectral resolution of the sensor. Depth maps of shallow (less than 3 metres) waters proved to be reliable except in turbid water areas with no bottom visibility.
Conceptualizing Mood Influences on Information Processing in Groups via Dominant Cognitive Processing Strategies

This conceptual integration addresses how positive and negative mood states influence information processing in groups. In addition to the impact of mood on attention and arousal, the review develops the notion of dominant cognitive processing strategies that mediate the influence of positive and negative moods on information processing in groups. Positive moods are proposed to reinforce dominant cognitive processing strategies while negative moods inhibit or revise such dominant cognitive processing strategies. Principles derived from several mood-cognition models are applied to group information processes related to attention, encoding, storage, retrieval, processing objectives, response, and feedback. The impacts of mood states are discussed in relation to group themes of convergence-divergence, commonality-uniqueness, and accentuation-attenuation of cognitive processes. The analysis leads to new implications for small group topics such as metacognition, group learning, motivated information processing in groups, communication, mood dynamics, and mood composition. The principles described can inspire numerous directions for future research.
Retrospective Clinical Evaluation of RMGIC/GIC Class V Restorations

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical performance of glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) materials in Class V carious cervical lesions restored by dental students. Ninety-six (96) restorations performed with either GIC (Fuji IX) (n = 39) or RMGIC (Fuji II LC) (n = 57) were evaluated using the modified USPHS criteria by two independent investigators at two follow-up evaluations (two years apart). The Fisher statistical test was used to compare USPHS criteria and examine significant differences, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The Kaplan-Meier algorithm was used to calculate the survival probability. The overall success rate of Class V restorations was 72.9% at the second follow-up evaluation, with restorations ranging in age from 2.5 to 3.5 years. The RMGIC (Fuji II LC) restorations exhibited a significantly higher overall success rate compared to the GIC (Fuji IX) restorations (p = 0.0104). Significant differences were observed in retention (p = 0.0034) and color match (p = 0.0023).