Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative volume and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI derived perfusion of the infrapatellar fat pad in patellofemoral pain.

Background Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common knee condition and possible precursor of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Inflammation, leading to an increased perfusion, or increased volume of the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) may induce knee pain. The aim of the study was to compare quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) parameters, as imaging biomarkers of inflammation, and volume of the IPFP between patients with PFP and controls and between patients with and without IPFP edema or joint effusion. Methods Patients with PFP and healthy controls were included and underwent non-fat suppressed 3D fast-spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) and DCE-MRI. Image registration was applied to correct for motion. The IPFP was delineated on FSPGR using Horos software. Volume was calculated and quantitative perfusion parameters were extracted by fitting extended Tofts' pharmacokinetic model. Differences in volume and DCE-MRI parameters between patients and controls were tested by linear regression analyses. IPFP edema and effusion were analyzed identically. Results Forty-three controls and 35 PFP patients were included. Mean IPFP volume was 26.04 (4.18) mL in control subjects and 27.52 (5.37) mL in patients. Median Ktrans was 0.017 (0.016) min-1 in control subjects and 0.016 (0.020) min-1 in patients. None of the differences in volume and perfusion parameters were statistically significant. Knees with effusion showed a higher perfusion of the IPFP compared to knees without effusion in patients only. Conclusions The IPFP has been implicated as source of knee pain, but higher DCE-MR blood perfusion, an imaging biomarker of inflammation, and larger volume are not associated with PFP. Patient's knees with effusion showed a higher perfusion, pointing towards inflammation.
Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Morphology of Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella braenderup

The study of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has recently increased due to the different antimicrobial properties that have been evaluated. Studies have shown that AgNPs decrease the cell viability of some parasitic species and inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite with different stages of development including the oocyst, and it can survive in the environment for a long time generating contamination of vegetables and water. This parasite has the ability to generate congenital toxoplasmosis and chorioretinitis in humans. Another human pathogen present in water is Salmonella braenderup, this bacterium, when consumed, causes gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. We evaluate the affectation that causes the AgNPs in oocysts of T. gondii and S. braenderup using fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The results showed that at different ratios of AgNPs and microorganisms, as well as at different exposure time during the treatments, morphological alteration of the cell structure of oocysts of T. gondii and S. braenderup was evidenced, suggesting a potential treatment method for the inhibition of the viability of these microorganisms.
Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods

Crude protein and amylose constitute two main representative components of rice quality. The non-destructive, quick assessment of grain crude protein content (GCPC), grain amylose content (GAC), and actual yield (AC) are necessary for quality and yield diagnosis in rice production. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of high temperature stress on rice GCPC, GAC and AC, to define the relationships of GCPC, GAC, and AC to ground-based canopy hyper-spectral reflectance and derivative parameters, and to establish quantitative models for real-time monitoring of rice GCPC, GAC, and AC using sensitive spectral parameters under high temperature stress. Two field warming experiments were performed in Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, China, to investigate the effects of high temperature ((treated for continuous 3 days from 9:00 am to 14:00 pm, average temperature was set at 35, 38 and 41 °C) and a control (CK)) at flowering stage in Liangyoupeijiu rice cultivar, using a free air temperature increase apparatus. Canopy hyper-spectral reflectance, GCPC, GAC, and AC were measured under high temperature treatments during different growth stages (flowering stage, grain-filling and ripening stages). The results showed that GCPC, AC (GAC) in Liangyoupeijiu were clearly reduced (increased) under high temperature stress in this study compared with the values of CK, and the reducing extent of GCPC and AC (the increasing extent of GAC) was increased with the increase of high temperature level. The hyper-spectral reflectance in different wavelength regions under high temperature stress was different. They increased in visible light region with the elevation of temperature, but reduced in near-infrared region. Among some selected spectral indices at three different growth stages used to estimate GCPC, GAC and AC, the optimum indices were difference vegetation index(810,450) and perpendicular vegetation indexLandsat multispectral scanner with high R2 when regressed against GCPC, GAC and AC. Furthermore, GCPC, GAC and AC prediction based on flowering stages were preferred than that on grain-filling and ripening stage by much bigger correlation coefficients. The six regression models developed in this study showed the agreement between the predicted and observed values when testing independent data under high temperature stress. Thus, the selected key hyper-spectral parameters can be reliably used to estimate GCPC, GAC and AC in rice under different high temperature treatments.
Parasitism of Loranthaceae on crops: case of plantations in rural area on the periphery of Jean Lorougnon Guédé University of Daloa, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire

In Cote d'Ivoire, tree crops are an important source of agricultural income. Unfortunately, the disquieting expansion of Loranthaceae is observed on many annuity crops like cocoa trees, coffee trees and rubber trees. This situation can harm the economy generated by the activity out coming from these speculations. The aim of this study is therefore, to know the diversity of Loranthaceae and to determine the extent of their infestation on crops, in rural area on the periphery of the University Jean Lorougnon Guede. The inventories were carried out by surface and roving survey methods coupled with direct observations on individuals of cocoa trees, coffee trees and rubber trees. In total, 3 species of Loranthaceae: Globimetula danglagei, Phragmanthera capitata var. capitata and Tapinanthus bangwensis (T. bangwensis) were inventoried in the plantations. T. bangwensis is the most abundant parasite on crops. Forty-one host species divided into 34 genera and 21 families have been identified within the plantations. The Fabaceae (19.51%) and the Malvaceae (9.75%) are the most infested families. On cocoa trees, coffee trees and rubber trees, the parasitism of Loranthaceae respectively indicated the following pairs of values (incidence and severity index): (42.86±7.02% and 33.99±7.10%), (25.93±11.65% and 21.92±3.11%) and (6.38±0.97% and 6.72±1.55%). The results indicated a significant difference between the incidences of infestation, the crop severity index as a function of Diameter Breast Height (DBH). The incidence of Loranthaceae infestation on all the annuity crops is around 24.93±17.20% and the severity index is 20.88±12.47%.
Platelet Rich Fibrin Versus Hyaluronic Acid as palatal wound Dressings following epithelialized free gingival graft harvest: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction: Patient centered outcome became of great interest nowadays. Patient’s pain and discomfort following free gingival graft procedure are common complain. Different palatal dressings are suggested to cover and protect the palatal donor site as stents, collagen gelatin scaffolds, platelet rich fibrin (PRF), hyaluronic acid (HA) and Alvogyl. However, in the literature no ideal agent has been emphasized. Objectives: This randomized controlled clinical trial compares for the first-time the effect of PRF versus HA palatal wound dressings on postoperative pain, post-surgical bleeding, and wound healing. Materials and methods: Following sample size calculation, 30 systemically healthy patients requiring palatal mucosal graft harvesting were randomized to receive either PRF or HA (intervention groups) or gelatin sponge (control group) as palatal dressings. Patient-reported visual analogue score (VAS) pain scores as primary outcome. Post-surgical bleeding and wound healing were considered as secondary outcomes. Results: VAS pain scores were reported minimal in PRF group throughout follow up intervals, PRF was statistically significant when compared to HA group at 3 and 7 days postoperative, PRF was statistically significant when compared to control group from 3 to 30 days postoperative and VAS in PRF was nearly 0 in day 14. PRF group showed the highest value of healing index during all the follow up intervals with mean 4.4 at 30 days that indicates a full healing of palatal wound area. Conclusions: Within this study’s limitations, PRF had better outcomes than both HA and gelatin sponge in means of cost, pain reduction, hemostasis and healing properties.
AGE, EDUCATIONAL LEVEL AND THE CONSUMPTION OF MEDICAL CARE: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA

The present study examines age and educational level determinants of the consumption of medical care using data from Malaysia. A nationally representative data with a large sample size (n = 14838) was used for analyses. Several important findings are noteworthy. First, age and educational level are positively associated with the consumption of medical care. Second, the impact of educational level on the consumption of medical care varies across age. Third, there is no diminishing marginal effect of educational level on the consumption of medical care. Findings of the present study suggest that age and educational level play an important role in determining the consumption of medical care. When designing policies to improve population well-being, consideration should be given to the effects of age and educational level on the consumption of medical care. It is important for policymakers to understand which age group and educational level of people are more or less likely to use medical care. The present study offers a better understanding of the effects of age and educational level on the consumption of medical care and assists policymakers in developing more effective intervention measures to improve population well-being.
Improving the Prosody of RNN-Based English Text-To-Speech Synthesis by Incorporating a BERT Model

The prosody of currently available speech synthesis systems can be unnatural due to the systems only having access to the text, possibly enriched by linguistic information such as part-of-speech tags and parse trees. We show that incorporating a BERT model in an RNN-based speech synthesis model — where the BERT model is pretrained on large amounts of unlabeled data, and ﬁne-tuned to the speech domain — improves prosody. Additionally, we propose a way of handling arbitrarily long sequences with BERT. Our ﬁndings indicate that small BERT models work better than big ones, and that ﬁne-tuning the BERT part of the model is pivotal for getting good results.
Spousal homicide in Nigeria: Socio- psychological profiles of men who kill their wives Aborisade, Richard A

Without gainsaying, there has been a recent increase in the incidences of spousal homicide in Nigeria. Meanwhile, research on family violence has vigorously focused on spousal abuse, trends and prevalence of domestic violence, while the most severe of violence-the killing of a spouse, has not received an equal amount of attention. Available statistics show that men are more culpable in abusing their wives to the point of death. Leaning on general strain theory, this present study examined the psychological factors and sociological background of men who have been charged and/or convicted of killing their wives. Qualitative analysis of official demographic and offence history data, and in-depth interviews of 21 purposively selected male offenders of spousal homicide in celled housing units in Kirikiri Maximum and Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos State, revealed that childhood experience of violence and abuse is strongly connected with perception and perpetration of violence in marital life. There is a clear empirical evidence to suggest that qualitatively, men who kill their spouses do not differ greatly from those who use nonlethal violence. Demographic and personality traits like negative emotions, low constraints, jealousy and envy were found to be important predisposing factors to spousal homicide. It is essential that an understanding of spousal homicide is continuously pursued and that steps are taken to reduce the likelihood of spousal homicide—the final abuse.
Do ownership structure mechanisms affect a firm’s risks? Evidence from Egypt

This study examines the influence of ownership structure mechanisms as a determinant of corporate governance quality on a firm’s risks. Eight variables were used as proxies for the ownership structure practices. Our sample includes most non-financial firms listed on the Egyptian Exchange in 2014–2018. The least absolute value estimator was used to examine the influence of ownership structure mechanisms. Our findings reveal a significant positive impact of ownership concentration on a firm’s unsystematic risk, but a negative effect on its systematic risk. Institutional ownership and a firm’s total risk have a significant negative relationship. Managerial ownership is positively associated with systematic risk. Firm size as a control variable has a significant negative impact on unsystematic risk and total risk. Return on assets adversely influences systematic risk and total risk. Our findings may help managers and practitioners to understand and modify ownership structure mechanisms to better control a firm’s risks.
Yield and quality in ‘Caipira’ melon in fertilization function Produtividade e qualidade de melão ‘Caipira’ em função da adubação

Recebido: 13/08/2018 Aprovado: 16/12/2018 The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different fertilizations and ground cover in the yield and quality of the fruits of irrigated „Caipira‟ melon fruits (Cucumis melo var. acidulus) in tropical semiarid conditions. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 3x2 factorial arrangement, with three replications. Three fertilization managements were compared (F1 only mineral fertilization in the foundation, F2 – mineral and organic fertilization in the foundation, F3 mineral fertilization in the foundation and leaf fertilization) under bare soil conditions and covered with black mulching. Five useful plants were evaluated per plot. The amount of mineral fertilization recommended for cultivation (40 kg ha -1 of Nitrogen, 120 kg ha -1 of P2O5 and 40 kg ha -1 of K2O) was applied in the plots. The fruit average weight – FAW (kg), yield Y (t.ha -1 ), fruit length – FL (cm) and diameter FD (cm), fruit pulp thickness FPT (cm), fruit cavity diameter – FCD (cm) and total soluble solids – SS (°Bx) were evaluated. A comparison of the means between fertilization and soil cover was done using the Tukey test with 5% probability. The use of mineral fertilization associated with the organic at the foundation provided superior results for the variables analyzed, except for the SS and FCD. The use of mulching was responsible for increasing the FAW, Y and SS in the melon.
The influence of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth rate in marine steels in the Paris Region

Funding information UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Grant/Award Number: EP/L016303/1 Abstract This paper presents a study on the effect of microstructure on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) rate in advanced S355 marine steels in the Paris Region of the da/dN versus ΔK log–log plot. The environments of study were air and seawater (SW), under constant amplitude sinewave fatigue loading. Fundamentally, three phenomena (crack tip diversion, crack front bifurcation and metal crumb formation) were observed to influence the rate of FCG. These phenomena appear to be a function of the material microstructure, environment and crack tip loading conditions. The three factors retarded the crack growth by reducing or redistributing the effective driving force at the main active crack tip. A crack path containing extensively the three phenomena was observed to offer strong resistance to FCG. In SW, the degree of the electrochemical dissolution of the microplastic zone appears to be an additional primary factor influencing FCG in the steels.
Effect of partial substitution of milk by whey on the sensory and physicochemical characteristics of quinoa ice cream

In the present research work, the objective was to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of milk by whey in the sensory and physicochemical characteristics of quinoa ice cream. Four formulations with different concentrations of whey (0, 25, 75 and 100%) were made. The sensory analysis of the formulations was carried out with 31 panelists using a five-point hedonic scale that allowed the taste, aroma, color, and sweetness of the ice cream to be evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the formulation that obtained the highest score in the sensory analysis were evaluated for 40 days. The characteristics consisted of the determination of acidity, pH, soluble solids content and overrun percentage. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the means and statistical significance of sensory and physicochemical characteristics. The F1 formulation obtained the highest score in the perception of taste, aroma and color, compared to the control formulation F0 (p <0.05). The 40-day storage of ice cream with 25% whey and 75% milk (F1), showed an increase in acidity and pH, and a decrease in the percentage of overrun. The content of soluble solids remained constant from day 10. In conclusion, whey can be a substitute for milk in the elaboration of ice cream at a level of 25%, improving the taste and aroma of the product, also of nutritional quality, since it has a higher protein content than milk.
The effect of extract of ginkgo leaf on lipid metabolism and intestinal normal flora of diabetic rats

Objective: Observe the effect of ginkgo leaf on the lipid metabolism of diabetic rats,and at the mean time to discuss the mechanism of regulate lipid metabolism.Methods:Give the extract of ginkgo leaf to diabetic rats via oesophagus,120 mg/(kg·d) and 8 weeks,then detect their blood lipid of empty stomach and the changes of their intestinal flora.Results:(1)The level of total cholesterol,triglyceride,low density lipoprotein and cholesterol of treating group were obviously decreased after treatment,lower than diabetic rats group( P 0.01)。 (2)The intestinal flora of diabetic rats group were obviously changed than normal rats group( P 0.01),especially the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were definitely decrease,but the intestinal flora were regulated after treatment.Conclusion: The extract of ginkgo leaf could produce a marked effect on lipid metabolism by foster beneficial flora,so could regulate the lvevl of blood lipid.
Spatial and temporal variation in the composition and biomass of phytoplankton in an Amazonian estuary

Matos, J.B. , Sodre, D.K. L. , Costa, K.G. da, Pereira, L.C. C. and Costa, R.M. da, 2011 Spatial and temporal variation in the composition and biomass of phytoplankton in an Amazonian estuary. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 64 (Proceedings of the 11th International Coastal Symposium), 1525 – 1529. Szczecin, Poland, ISSN 0749-0208 In order to determine the composition and dynamics of the phytoplankton of the Caete Estuary, bimonthly samples were collected at three fixed stations, S1, S2, and S3, in the lower, middle, and upper estuary, respectively. Samples for the qualitative study were collected using 64 µm mesh nets, while those for quantitative analyses and the measurement of chlorophyll a concentrations were collected with Niskin bottles. Salinity, temperature and pH were also measured. The Utermohl sedimentation method was employed to establish phytoplankton density. Salinity ranged from 0.03±0.05 psu at S3) to 40.0±0.84 psu at S1, and was significantly different at the three stations. Water temperature (26.4±0.19 °C to 30.1±0.43°C) varied significantly between seasons. Values of pH ranged significantly from 6.3±0.21 at S3 to 8.03±0.10 at S1. The local phytoplankton community was dominated by diatoms (90.3%), followed by dinoflagellates, cyanophytes and chlorophytes. The community was composed primarily of marine species (68.3%). Phytoplankton biomass, ranged from 3.9 mg.m -3 at S1 to 17.6 mg.m -3 at S3. Cluster analysis revealed three groups. Overall, changes in salinity resulting from seasonal oscillations in rainfall modified the horizontal gradient observed within the estuary and constituted the main factor determining variation in the composition, density, and biomass of the phytoplankton community, which was characterized by a predominance of diatom taxa, and an abundance of phytoflagellates. The suspension of sediments provoked by the local hydrodynamics favored the dominance of the epipsammic species Dimmeregrama minor during the study period, indicating an active mixing of the water column.
Investigating Religious Beliefs, Consumption and Interreligious Dissimilarities and Similarities in Low Income Countries: A Mixed Research with Reference to Traditionalist, Christian and Muslim Consumers in Burkina Faso

The purpose of this research is to show the relationships between the degree of beliefs and the consumption behaviour and the reverse effect. A previous research has presented the results related to Muslim consumers; however, the present research originality or added value is that it includes Christian consumers and Traditionalist consumers living in the same context. This is a mixed method approach, that is to say a combination of a qualitative approach and a quantitative approach. Qualitative data was recorded with a voice recorder through semi-structured interviews with the respondents; and the qualitative data is transcribed by hand. The collection of quantitative data is performed using a questionnaire, and the analysis of the data was made with some softwares, especially three different types: Sphinx² -V5, Sphinx IQ and Sphinx IQ2. The results show that religiosity influences consumption behaviour with some interreligious differences and similarities, but also that consumption behaviour influences religiosity.
хро-Морфологическая и иммуногистохимическая характеристика интенсивности репаративных процессов в мягких тканях нижних конечностей у лиц с нейропатической и нейроишемической формами синдрома диабетической стопы The morphological characteristic of tissue repair in patients with neuropathic and neuroi

Aim . To evaluate the morphological and immunohistochemical features of granulation tissue formation in patients with diabetic foot syndrome. of with syndrome after surgical debridement. Results . We found severe intercellular oedema, poorly organised extracellular matrix, small amounts of fibroblast-like cells and ex-pressed inflammatory infiltration, along with the presence of young granulation tissue. According to the results of the immunohistochemical studies, there were a moderate number of macrophages (immunopositive with antibodies to CD68), intense staining of MMP-9 and weak staining of TIMP-1 and osteopontin. Conclusion . According to the findings of the histological and immunohistochemical studies, tissue repair processes in patients with diabetes mellitus are decelerated.