Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) using an iPad Pro LiDAR sensor

ABSTRACT Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) plays an important role in forest management. New technologies such as airborne and terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) are expensive and time-consuming. We explored the iPad LiDAR sensor to measure DBH considering affordability and availability. The study was carried out at a research forest plantation near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Five plots were selected for differences in stem spacing, average DBH and species, and made 360° scans separately. A manual circle fitting method was used to produce circular features for the estimation of DBH. The coefficient of determination (R 2) between estimated DBH and field measurements was 0.52, indicating a moderate accuracy. The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of DBH estimation ranged from 2.82 cm to 8.24 cm. The accuracy of smaller red pine trees was found to be relatively higher than that of larger red pine and white spruce trees. These accuracies did not change with the distance from the scanning location to trees. Therefore, results showed the potential use of an iPad LiDAR Scanner for DBH estimation. We recommend developing an application combining the iPad’s location and LiDAR sensors and incorporating a precise positioning method for fieldwork, and further broad field testing. Graphical abstract
Rescue Stenting for Refractory Large Vessel Occlusions in the Thrombectomy Era: Intracranial Use of Coronary Stents in Low-mid Economic Settings

Background: Failed mechanical thrombectomy due to a refractory emergent large vessel occlusion (RELVO) in patients presenting with an acute stroke poses a major challenge to the outcomes. Objective: We demonstrate the use of coronary stents in the intracranial circulation as rescue stenting for an already expensive mechanical thrombectomy procedure in a mid-low socioeconomic setting. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter study was conducted between December 2015 and January 2021. The studied cohort were patients who required the use of a rescue stenting using a coronary stent for emergent large vessel occlusion to avoid failed recanalization. Failed recanalization was defined as failed vessel recanalization after at least two passes. Patient demographic data, procedure specifics, type of stent used, and procedural outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 26 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included from eight different centers across India. Out of 26 patients, 19 (73.0%) were male and seven were female (26.9%). The mean age was 53.6 years, the youngest patient was 23 years old and the eldest was 68 years old. Seven patients (26.9%) had posterior circulation stroke due to occlusion of the vertebral or basilar artery and 19 patients (73.0%) had anterior circulation stroke median NIHSS at presentation was 16 (range 10 to 28) in anterior circulation stroke and 24 (range 16 to 30) in posterior circulation stroke. Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) was given in three patients (11.5%). The hospital course of two patients was complicated by symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), which was fatal. Favorable revascularization outcome and favorable functional outcome was achieved in 22 patients (84.6%), three patients passed away (11.5%), and one patient was lost to follow up. Conclusions: Overall, our study finds that rescue stenting using coronary stents can potentially improve outcomes in refractory large vessel occlusions while minimizing costs in low-mid economic settings.
ENVIRONMENTAL DNA IN AN OCEAN OF CHANGE: STATUS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Environmental DNA (eDNA) studies have burgeoned over the last two decades and the application of eDNA has increased exponentially since 2010, albeit at a slower pace in the marine system. We provide a literature overview on marine metazoan eDNA studies and assess recent achievements in answering questions related to species distributions, biodiversity and biomass. We investigate which are the better studied taxonomic groups, geographic regions and the genetic markers used. We evaluate the use of eDNA for addressing ecological and environmental issues through food web, ecotoxicological, surveillance and management studies. Based on this state of the art, we highlight exciting prospects of eDNA for marine time series, population genetic studies, the use of natural sampler DNA, and eDNA data for building trophic networks and ecosystem models. We discuss the current limitations, in terms of marker choice and incompleteness of reference databases. We also present recent advances using experiments and modeling to better understand persistence, decay and dispersal of eDNA in coastal and oceanic systems. Finally, we explore promising avenues for marine eDNA research, including autonomous or passive eDNA sampling, as well as the combined applications of eDNA with different surveillance methods and further molecular advances. Keywords: environmental DNA, DNA metabarcoding, marine metazoa, biodiversity, population genetics, natural sampler DNA, diet analysis.
Anterior cruciate ligament: 3-D fiber anatomy, fluorescence arthroscopy & healing

One of the current emphases in optimizing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions is closer mimicking the anatomy of the ACL. The aim of Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 is to develop and validate a methodology to quantify the 3-D collagen fiber orientation of ligaments, accurately and at a high resolution. The clinical research question is: how many bundles are present in the human ACL and what should the amount of bundles to be reconstructed. Another current emphasis in improving the ACL reconstruction is graft placement at the original insertion sites of the torn ACL also called - anatomical ACL reconstruction. The aim of Chapter 4 is to develop a new arthroscopic imaging methodology based on fluorescence of collagen molecules to localize the original insertion sites. Another strategy to improve the patient outcome is by healing the torn ACL. In Chapter 5 the aim is to evaluate the effect of the small intestine submucosa bioscaffold (SIS) on the collagen fibrillogenesis in the healing medial collateral ligament. Chapter 6 describes the investigation that aims to improve the efficacy of SIS by remodeling its collagen fibers. The research question was whether this can be achieved through cell-seeding and cyclic stretch. Chapter 7 is a pre-translational study and investigates whether the human ACL has a healing potential by histologic analysis of reattached ACL remnants from patients. The aim in Chapter 8 is to heal the ACL in a goat model and biomechanically evaluate the result. Chapter 9 aims to histologically evaluate the healing ACLs. The final Chapter 10 discusses the findings and implications of this thesis and proposes future studies.
DeepAIA: An Automatic Image Annotation Model Based on Generative Adversarial Networks and Transfer Learning

Automatic image annotation (AIA) has been adopted in different applications such as image retrieval and classification. Deep Learning is used in AIA to extract image features and then convert these features into text descriptions and labels. However, conventional AIA models that employ deep learning methods suffer from various shortcomings, such as poor annotation performance. This work proposes an AIA model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and transfer learning. GANs have attracted a lot of interest because of its ability to generate data without explicitly using probability density. Thus, it has proven its usefulness in image annotation and image augmentation. In this work, an Auxiliary classifier-GAN (ACGAN) has been used, where the discriminator predicts the class of an image rather than taking it as a given input; therefore, the stabilization of the training stage is ensured, and the generation of high-quality images is provided. Transfer learning is also used to enhance the performance of the classification. The proposed model outperforms the best state-of-the-art models in terms of MiAP, F-measure and error rate using ImageClef, ESPGame and IAPR-TC12 datasets.
Effect of consumer prior knowledge on attitude, behavioural intention and adoption of artificial intelligence enabled products

Rapid growth in artificial Intelligence technology has propelled the rise of AI enabled intelligent products. The study analysing the impact of consumer prior knowledge on the attitude, behavioural intention and thus leading to the adoption and acceptance of AI enabled products is evaluated. The study is grounded on the basis of Technological Acceptance Model. The data is collected from a sample of 376 respondents belonging to various generation. The Structural Equation Modelling is used to validate the conceptual Model . Findings of the study indicates that, it is the usefulness of the technology , attributes of the product and accuracy in completing the task leads to the purchase of AI enabled products among Generation Y and Z.
Public Sector Transformation and Innovation as Core Competencies of Next Generation Chief Information Officers

Public sector transformation and innovation remain high priorities, even at a time when governments struggles everywhere with budget reductions, including information technology (IT) capital and operating expenditures. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are challenged to find cheaper and yet more effective solutions to help their organization become lean and agile. We propose a competency model for next generation CIOs, built around this strategic role. It is integrated with existing Business Technology Management BTM functions, at the nexus of key dyads: alignment between business and technology, and, alignment between strategy and projects. Moving beyond traditional IT project leadership, we argue that User-Driven Innovation may compensate for budget reductions in the CIO branch. This would allow end-users to take charge or drive some activity, a number of stages, or even a complete innovative project. Our model assumes that CIO-CXO relations and governance frameworks can evolve into joint responsibility and partnership, with IT becoming internal consultants championing transformation.
Adherence to a caloric budget and body weight change vary by season, gender, and BMI: An observational study of daily users of a mobile health app

Self‐monitoring, one of the most important behaviors for successful weight loss, can be facilitated through mobile health applications (mHealth apps). Therefore, it is of interest to determine whether consistent users of these apps succeed in achieving their weight goals. This study used data from an mHealth app that enabled tracking of caloric intake, body weight, and physical activity and provided a caloric budget depending on weight goal. The primary objective was to evaluate adherence to caloric budget and body weight change among the most consistent (i.e., daily) trackers of caloric intake over a calendar year (n = 9372, 50% male).
Gender Differences in School and Work Commuting Mode Through the Life Cycle: Exploring Trends in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, 1986 to 2011

Reducing auto dependence and increasing the use of active and sustainable modes of transportation for school and work travel are necessary for alleviating traffic congestion issues that are typical in today’s North American cities and regions. While there is a growing interest in increasing the use of active and sustainable modes of travel for commuter trips in transportation planning, less attention has been paid in practice to gender differences in travel demand. This descriptive study explores gender differences in active transportation, public transit, and automobile use through the life cycle to assess temporal changes in gendered transport over the past 25 years in the greater Toronto and Hamilton area, Canada. Findings suggest that female children and youths are driven to school more frequently than males; however, males drive more than females during the years of labor force participation. Differences between female and male automobile use increase with age, but the gender gap has declined since the mid-1980s. Factors such as having one vehicle per household, more than six household members, and living and working in the city of Toronto are shown to associate with the largest differences in driving between full-time employed women and men. Distances between home and work have increased, particularly for women, and the percentage of women with a driver’s license has increased. Although driving remains higher for men than women during the part of the life course that includes labor force participation, the gender gap in active transportation, public transit, and automobile use appears to be lower today than in the mid-1980s.
IMPACTS OF JELLYFISH: GELATINOUS PROBLEMS OR OPPORTUNITIES?

Some points related to the impacts (either negative or positive) caused by jellyfish(scyp homedusae) are briefly presented. Although medusae cause several negative impacts, they also have a positive side. It is argued that jellyfish blooms are becoming more frequent in areas where anthropogenic impacts are higher. Human perceptions of jellyfish need more study to better understand the role of these animals in the environment. Only then will we be able to decide if they are “good” or “bad”. Keywords: medusa, gelatinous zooplankton, Scyphozoa, marine zoology, marine impacts, climate change.
Gene–Environment Interaction on Type 2 Diabetes Risk among Chinese Adults Born in Early 1960s

Background: Gene–environment interactions on type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk are studied little among Chinese adults. Aim: This study aimed to explore the interactions among Chinese adults born in early 1960s. Methods: The interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and environmental factors on T2D risk were analyzed by multiple linear or logistic regression models, and in total 2216 subjects were included with the age of 49.7 ± 1.5 years. Results: High dietary intake increased the effects of rs340874 on impaired fasting glucose (IFG), rs5015480, rs7612463 on T2D (OR = 2.27, 2.37, 11.37, respectively), and reduced the effects of rs7172432 on IFG, rs459193 on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (OR = 0.08, 0.28, respectively). The associations between rs4607517 and T2D, rs10906115 and IGT, rs4607103, rs5015480 and IFG could be modified by drinking/smoking (OR = 2.28, 0.20, 3.27, 2.58, respectively). Physical activity (PA) interacted with rs12970134, rs2191349, rs4607517 on T2D (OR = 0.39, 3.50, 2.35, respectively), rs2796441 and rs4607517 on IGT (OR = 0.42, 0.33, respectively), and rs4430796, rs5215, and rs972283 on IFG (OR = 0.39, 3.05, 7.96, respectively). Significant interactions were identified between socioeconomic status and rs10830963, rs13266634 on T2D (OR = 0.41, 0.44, respectively), rs1470579 and rs2796441 on IGT (OR = 2.13, 2.37, respectively), and rs7202877 and rs7612463 on IFG (OR = 5.64, 9.18, respectively). Conclusion: There indeed existed interactions between environmental factors and genetic variants on T2D risk among Chinese adults.
Evaluation and multimodel projection of seasonal precipitation extremes over central Asia based on CMIP6 simulations

Central Asia faces an increasing challenge related to water resources arising from severe droughts and floods that have impacted the region in the past decades. Using a comprehensive set of extreme precipitation indices, we assess the performance of CMIP6 models in representing observed precipitation extremes and investigate future responses of these extremes to greenhouse gas emissions under four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP). Particularly, this study identifies robust signals of projected changes in spring and summer precipitation extremes over central Asia. Results show that the CMIP6 models reasonably reproduced the spatial distribution and variability of precipitation extremes over southern central Asia (SCA) and northern central Asia (NCA) during the spring and summer seasons, respectively. Across the SSPs, the CMIP6 models project a decrease in total spring wet‐day precipitation amount (PRCPTOT) over SCA and a significant increase in PRCPTOT over the NCA. The projected changes are characterized by a significant increase in maximum consecutive 5‐day precipitation (RX5day), wet‐day intensity (SDII), and the number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm); these suggest that the spring will be characterized by intense precipitation extremes. Moreover, no significant change is projected for consecutive wet days (CWD) and dry spells (CDD) over SCA. Nonetheless, the CMIP6 models project a significant increase in summer PRCPTOT over SCA and a decrease in summer PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm, SDII, and CWD over NCA while projecting a significant and robust increase in dry spells. It is also found that the severity of the projected dry spell deepens across the SSP spectra and gets more pronounced towards the end of the 21st century. Notably, the intermodel spread of the precipitation extremes is smaller during the spring over SCA, larger during the summer season over NCA, and more probable in the warmer future.
The Local Intraarterial Administration of Nimodipine Might Positively Affect Clinical Outcome in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Delayed Cerebral Ischemia

The effect of the intraarterial administration of nimodipine as a rescue measure to treat delayed vasospasm after aSAH remains understudied; therefore, we evaluated its effect on short- and long-term functional and neuropsychological outcomes after aSAH. In this prospective observational study, a total of 107 consecutive patients treated for aSAH of WFNS grades I–V were recruited. At follow-up visits 3-, 12- and 24-months after the hemorrhage, functional outcome was assessed using the Extended Glasgow Outcome (GOSE) and modified Rankin (mRS) scales, while neurocognitive function was evaluated using the screening module of the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB-S). The outcome of patients, who had received rescue therapy according to the local standard treatment protocol (interventional group, n = 37), and those, who had been treated conservatively (conservative group, n = 70), were compared. Even though significantly more patients in the interventional treatment group suffered from high-grade aSAH (WFNS Grades IV and V, 54.1% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.04) and required continuous drainage of cerebrospinal fluid at discharge (67.7% vs. 37.7%, p = 0.02) compared to the control group, significant differences in functional outcome were present only at discharge and three months after the bleeding (GOSE > 4 in 8.1% vs. 41.4% and 28.6% vs. 72.7%, p < 0.001 and p = 0.01 for the interventional and control group, respectively). Thereafter, group differences were no longer significant. While significantly more patients in the intervention group had severe neuropsychological deficits (76.3% vs. 36.0% and 66.7% vs. 29.2%, p = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively) and were unable to work (5.9% vs. 38.1%, p = 0.03 at twelve months) at three and twelve months after the hemorrhage, no significant differences between the two groups could be detected at long-term follow-up. The presence of moderate neuropsychological impairments did not significantly differ between the groups at any timepoint. In conclusion, despite initially being significantly more impaired, patients treated with intraarterial administration of nimodipine reached the same functional and neuropsychological outcomes at medium- and long-term follow-up as conservatively treated patients suggesting a potential beneficial effect of intraarterial nimodipine treatment for delayed vasospasm after aSAH.
Investigation of hormone levels in postpartum psychosis

Objective: The etiology of postpartum psychosis (PP) remains unclear. In this study, we examined thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, free T3, cortisol, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels in PP. Method: The study included 23 patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of PP within the first 4 weeks after delivery and 30 age-matched healthy controls. Organic etiological factors were excluded. Blood samples were obtained from all participants at the same time of the day. In PP patients, blood samples were obtained within the first 24 h after hospitalization. Results: Mean ages of PP and control groups were 26.2±5.5 and 27.6±5.1 years, respectively. The frequency of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the PP compared with the control group (p=0.011). The fT3 levels were significantly lower in the PP compared with the control group, while the fT3 levels were within normal physiological limits (p=0.034) and no significant differences were found with regard to other hormones. To examine the effect of breastfeeding on the results, the control group was further divided into two subgroups: breastfeeding (BFC) and non-breastfeeding (NBFC). The fT4 levels (within normal physiological limits) and prolactin levels were significantly higher in the PP compared with NBFC (p=0.013 vs p=0.007). LH levels were 3.11±3.47 mIU/mL in the PP group, 1.48±2.45 mIU/mL in BFC and 4.56±3.69 mIU/mL in NBFC, but for the LH levels, the only significant difference was between the control groups (p=0.027). Conclusion: The results of thyroid function tests in our study suggest a condition that develops impaired thyroid functions secondary to acute psychotic episode rather than an underlying thyroid disease. Comprehensive prospective studies, including follow-up data, may better explain the relationships between thyroid function and PP. In our study, there was no evidence for the possible role of DHEAS, prolactin, and LH hormones. However, changes in the hormone profile according to breastfeeding status suggest that the effects of breastfeeding on hormones may also be important.
The role of criminal networks in involvement and progression in the drug market in Adana, Turkey-A research note

ABSTRACT To provide an insight into the salience of criminal networks in the initiation and continuation of drug dealing, this study gathers data through in-depth interviews with twelve street-level cannabis dealers in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhood in Adana, Turkey. The findings indicate that the presence of relatives or close friends in criminal networks in the neighborhood has paved the way for the interviewees to be involved in various drug-related activities from an early age. Due to the neighborhood structure, they have a limited ability to accumulate social capital. However, they access the illegal opportunities offered by criminal networks more easily. Being embedded in criminal networks allow them to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for drug dealing. The cannabis market in question is highly vertically organized and socially bonded. Dealers need permission to sell, and they follow informal codes to sustain their business. Trust, solidarity, and loyalty are the most important codes of the market and must be followed to stay in and alive.