Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State-dependent networks with side information and partial state recovery

by Shiva Prasad Kotagiri In many communication scenarios, the communicating parties typically have some knowledge or attempt to learn about the time-varying environment or the channel over which communication takes place. To understand these models, it is important to study the fundamental performance limits of state-dependent channels whose probabilistic input-output relationship depends on a time-varying random parameter called channel state. This channel state could be either fading in a wireless environment, interference, or host signal in information embedding, etc. In this thesis, we focus on studying state-dependent network models from an information theoretic perspective when the side information is available at some encoders and state recovery is considered at some decoders. In general, the side information could be either exact channel state, noisy channel state, or channel output feedback. In this thesis, we assume that the side information is exact channel state. We study single-user state-dependent models and multiuser state-dependent models such as multiple access channels (MAC) and broadcast channels (BC). For the state-dependent MAC with non-causal side information at some encoders and without state recovery at the decoder, we study bounds on the capacity region in the case of independent messages and derive the capacity region in the case of Shiva Prasad Kotagiri dependent or degraded messages. For the Gaussian case, we develop a coding scheme based on both dirty paper coding and state cancellation to obtain the inner bound on the capacity region. For the state-dependent MAC with different non-causal side information at different encoders, we derive inner bounds on the capacity region for the case of no state recovery at the decoder and the case of some, but not all, state recovery at the decoder. For this model, we also study bounds on the capacity region for the case of all state recovery at the decoder. It turns out that the inner and outer bounds meet if all state signals are independent. Consequently, we obtain the capacity region for this case. For the state-dependent BC with non-causal encoder side information, we consider lossless state recovery at some decoders. In the two decoder model, we study bounds on the capacity region in the case of state recovery at only the better de-coder. We also study the capacity region for the case of state recovery at all decoders and the case of state recovery at only the worse decoder. Finally, we consider lossy or partial state recovery in single-user …
Automatic counting of cattle with Faster R-CNN on UAV images

It is remarkable the growth of the bovine herd in the last four decades however, the availability of areas for pasture did not follow the same trend and thus caused direct interference in the binomial quality and price of the final product. One of the ways to get around this interference is by the use of technologies to help minimize the handling costs, from the breeding in a controlled environment with the need of trained manpower in the confinement process. Thus, as opposed to the current format done manually and in restricted space, computer vision technology can mitigate the identification and counting of cattle problems using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Attending to the objective outlined in this article demonstrates the use of the Faster R-CNN for counting cattle in feedlots employing aerial images, obtaining an average precision of 89.7% for the set of hyperparameters that differed most positively from the others in this experiment.
Risk Factors Associated With COVID-19 Symptoms and Potential Vertical Transmission During Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic is of special concern for pregnant women. A growing body of evidence suggests the virus can have a deleterious impact upon outcomes related to birth and newborn health. There is a paucity of published research demonstrating the factors that influence disease severity among those who are pregnant, while a growing body of evidence demonstrates that vertical transmission occurs. Our study investigated the impact of maternal characteristics upon COVID-19 outcomes, as well as whether disease severity impacted pregnancy outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with COVID-19 who were admitted to two public hospitals in our state between April-August, 2020. Pregnancy outcomes and clinical, laboratory, and placental data were collected. Results Thirty-four pregnant women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among them, 55% (19/34) were symptomatic. Of those who were symptomatic, 68% (13/19) presented with fever and cough. Those with symptoms had a statistically significant higher pregestational mean body mass index (BMI) compared with asymptomatic women (35.7±7.9 vs 26.7±6.9, P=0.004). Screening of biochemical records demonstrated that symptomatic women had lower potassium levels compared with those who were asymptomatic (median: 3.70 mEq/L vs 4.30 mEq/L, P=0.009). The lowest potassium level (3.0 mEq/L) and one of the highest BMIs (42.4 kg/m2) was observed in the only case of postpartum mortality among the symptomatic women. We did not observe any influence of maternal COVID-19 severity on placental histopathology/infant health or evidence of vertical transmission. Conclusion High pregestational BMI and lower potassium levels were associated with the presence of COVID-19 symptoms among pregnant women.
Epidemiology, Distribution and Identification of Ticks on Livestock in Pakistan

Background: Ticks are ectoparasites that transmit a variety of pathogens that cause many diseases in livestock which can result in skin damage, weight loss, anemia, reduced production of meat and milk, and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify tick species and the distribution on livestock hosts (sheep, goat, dairy cattle, and buffalo) of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Islamabad from October 2019 to November 2020. Materials and Methods: Surveillance was performed to calculate the prevalence of ticks on livestock. Tick prevalence data (area, host, breed, gender, age, and seasonal infestation rate) was recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 2080 animals were examined from selected farms, and, of these, 1129 animals were tick-infested. A total of 1010 male tick samples were identified to species using published keys. Haemaphysalis punctata, Haemaphysalis sulcata, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Rhipicephalus decoloratus Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were collected from goats, sheep, buffalo, and cattle. The overall rates of tick infestation on livestock were 34.83% (buffalo), 57.11% (cattle), 51.97% (sheep) and 46.94% (goats). Within each species, different breeds demonstrated different proportions of infestation. For cattle breeds, infestation proportions were as follows: Dhanni (98.73%), Jersey (70.84%) and the Australian breed of cattle (81.81%). The Neeli Ravi breed (40%) of buffalo and the Beetal breed (57.35%) of goats were the most highly infested for these species. Seasonally, the highest prevalence of infestation (76.78%) was observed in summer followed by 70.76% in spring, 45.29% in autumn, and 20% in winter. The prevalence of tick infestation in animals also varied by animal age. In goats, animals aged 4–6 years showed the highest prevalence (90%), but in cattle, the prevalence of ticks was highest (68.75%) in 6 months–1-year-old animals. 1–3 years old buffalo (41.07%) and 6 months–1 year sheep (65.78%) had the highest prevalence rate. Females had significantly higher infestation rates (61.12%, 55.56% and 49.26%, respectively) in cattle, sheep, and goats. In buffalo, males showed a higher prevalence (38.46%) rate. Conclusions: This study showed tick diversity, infestation rate, and numerous factors (season, age, and gender of host) influencing tick infestation rate in different breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo in Punjab Province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Higher tick burdens and rates of tick-borne disease reduce production and productivity in animals. Understanding tick species’ prevalence and distribution will help to develop informed control measures.
Incidence of parasitic infection in adult and juvenile Clarias gariepinus in a private fish farm, Yola, Adamawa state

The study was conducted in Gesedaddo’s farm, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria to determine the prevalence of parasites infecting Clarias gariepinus between June to November, 2016. A total of one hundred and thirty-two (132) fish were sampled for parasitic investigation. Out of these, cultured adults (66) and cultured juveniles (66) respectively were procured from the farm and examined for parasites using the keys of fresh water fish parasite pictorial guide and were examined for parasitic infections using direct wet mount microscopy and stained smears. A total number of 43 adult Clarias gariepinus were infected out of which 132 parasites were identified, while in juvenile Clarias gariepinus, a total number of 10 fish were infected in which 30 parasites were identified in Gesedaddo’s farm. Seven (7) classes of parasites and eleven (11) parasite species, which are namely, Piscinoodinium , (Dinoflagellata), Coccidia, Spironucleus vortens, (Flagellata), Chilodonella, Tetrehymena, (Motile ciliate), Capillaria, Contracaecum, (Nematoda), Microsporidians, (Protozoa), Saprolegnia sp , (Oomycota), Digeneans, and Planarian (Trematoda) were recorded from the gills, stomach, intestine, and skin mucus of the cultured Clarias gariepinus on the farm. Parasitic infestation was higher in the intestine with 63 (47.73) and the least was identified 6 (4.55) on the skin for adult Clarias gariepinus while the highest number of parasites identified in juvenile Clarias gariepinus was found on the skin with total number of 11 (36.67). Among the class of parasites identified, it was recorded that the highest parasitic load occurred most in the class protozoan with 45 (34.09%) and 17 (56.67) in adult and Juvenile C. gariepinus respectively. The Chi square value shows that there was no significant difference ( p >0.05) between the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infection in adults and juvenile C. gariepinus based on sex. Parasitic infestations in the adult and juvenile female were significantly higher than in the adult and juvenile male in cultured Clarias gariepinus . There was a significant difference between incidence of infestation, standard length and body weight of Clarias gariepinus while there was no significant difference (p> 0.05) between parasitic load.
A Randomized Control Trial of Clinical Success and Acceptability of the Hall Technique and Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Restorations in Sealing Carious Primary Molars

Background: A paradigm shift in the caries management propelled interest in techniques for sealing caries and restorations with selective caries removal. Preformed Metal Crowns (PMCs) and Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement (RMGIC) have been preferred choices of restorations for carious primary molars. This is the first study from India on the Hall Technique used to seal carious primary molars. Objective: To compare the clinical success and acceptability of the Hall Technique and RMGIC restorations in sealing carious primary molars. Methods: Sixty 7–8-year-old children having caries with ICDAS scores 3-5, requiring two or more restorations; a total of 140 teeth were randomized into Group A: HT (n1 = 73 teeth) or Group B: RMGIC (n2 = 67 teeth). A single calibrated operator assessed the ‘Major’ failures (abscess, secondary caries, new caries) and ‘Minor’ failures (dislodgement) over a period of 15 months. Children, parents, and operator rated the acceptability. The average time taken for each procedure was recorded. Results: ‘Major’ failures were statistically significantly higher in the RMGIC group (p=0.008). At the 12-month follow-up, the HT outperformed RMGIC restorations. Additional failures were seen in Group B: RMGIC restorations at 15-month follow-up, whereas no failures were seen with HT. The result was statistically not significant. Children, parents, and the operator preferred the Hall Technique, which was statistically significant (p< 0.001). Conclusion: HT is a successful and acceptable technique and superior to RMGIC restorations with partial excavation of caries in primary molars but with mild postoperative discomfort.
Molecular Characterization of Salmonella Detected along the Broiler Production Chain in Trinidad and Tobago

This cross-sectional study determined the serovars, antimicrobial resistance genes, and virulence factors of Salmonella isolated from hatcheries, broiler farms, processing plants, and retail outlets in Trinidad and Tobago. Salmonella in silico serotyping detected 23 different serovars where Kentucky 20.5% (30/146), Javiana 19.2% (28/146), Infantis 13.7% (20/146), and Albany 8.9% (13/146) were the predominant serovars. There was a 76.0% (111/146) agreement between serotyping results using traditional conventional methods and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in in silico analysis. In silico identification of antimicrobial resistance genes conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, peptides, sulfonamides, and antiseptics were detected. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 6.8% (10/146) of the isolates of which 100% originated from broiler farms. Overall, virulence factors associated with secretion systems and fimbrial adherence determinants accounted for 69.3% (3091/4463), and 29.2% (1302/4463) counts, respectively. Ten of 20 isolates of serovar Infantis (50.0%) showed MDR and contained the blaCTX-M-65 gene. This is the first molecular characterization of Salmonella isolates detected along the entire broiler production continuum in the Caribbean region using WGS. The availability of these genomes will help future source tracking during epidemiological investigations associated with Salmonella foodborne outbreaks in the region and worldwide.
Factors Influencing the Performance of SMEs in Kenya: A Case of Independent Petroleum Dealers in Nairobi

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . vi DEDICATION . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . viii LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES . xii CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background of the Study . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 3 1.3 Purpose of the Study . 4 1.4 Research Questions . 4 1.5 Justification of the Study . 4 1.6 Scope of the Study . 6 1.7 Definition of Terms . 6 1.8 Chapter Summary . 7 CHAPTER TWO . 9 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 9 2.
Utilization of Various Starch Hydrolysates and Defatted Proteins by Bacillus cereus for Microbial Synthesis of Methionine in Submerged Medium

Three of the methionine-producing bacteria previously isolated from different soil ecovars in Owerri, characterized as Bacillus cereus no: DS13, RS16 and AS9, based on 16s rRNA sequencing, were screened for utilization agricultural products for production of methionine. Experimental studies on the Bacillus strains were carried out to examine the use of various starch hydrolysates from different agricultural products: wheat, sorghum, cassava, cocoyam, yam, plantain, millet, corn, potato, rice and defatted plant proteins: pigeon pea, cowpea, bambaranut, groundnut and soybean meal as source of carbon and nitrogen, respectively for the production of methionine. The result of the influence of various carbon and nitrogen sources on methionine production showed that 2.32mg/ml methionine accumulation in the culture broth of B. cereus DS13 when corn-starch hydrolysate/defatted groundnut meal was used, while B. cereus RS16 and Bacillus cereus DS13 gave the same methionine yield of 2.22mg/ml with corn-starch hydrolysate/defatted groundnut meal and sorghum hydrolysate/soyabean meal respectively. Bacillus cereus AS9 utilized wheat starch hydrolysate/soaybean meal, followed by plaintain-starch hydrolysate/bambaranut to produced 1.79mg/ml and 1.78mg/ml methionine respectively. Methionine was accumulated in the fermentation broth of the Bacillus strains after a fermentation period of 96h. This study indicates the possible utilization of agricultural products as substrates for L-methionine production in submerged medium especially when considering the limitations of producing methionine by fermentation processes.
Cigarette Smoking among Medical Students from the Western Balkan

University student’s smoking is a significant public health problem. It is estimated that, globally, every fifth medical student is a smoker. So far, no research dealing with cigarette smoking among medical students has been conducted in the countries of the Western Balkans. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and risk factors of cigarette smoking among Western Balkans medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2452 students from 14 medical faculties in the Western Balkans (Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Serbia). The data were gathered through an online survey. There were significantly more non-smokers than smokers among medical students. Only gender and parents smoking status were statistically significantly associated with students smoking status. The smokers were more often male students, who lived in urban areas prior their studies, and whose parents were both smokers. With the aim of monitoring and enhancing student population health, it is necessary for public health activists and health officials to continually survey the students’ smoking status in order to recognize the smoking influencing factors, and form and take on appropriate activities to improve the prevention of cigarette smoking among students, as well as motivate those who smoke to give up smoking, which would contribute to improving the health of the student population.
Coronary Artery Disease Prevalence in Patients Having Essential Hypertension with Or Without Diabetes Mellitus Detected by Cardiac MIBI Scan

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to find the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in hypertensive patients with or without diabetes mellitus. METHODOLOGY: Data of patients having essential hypertension (n=931) referred to PINUM from April 2017 to December 2018 for stress/rest cardiac MIBI scan was analyzed. This data was divided into two groups. HD group contains data of patients having hypertension with diabetes mellitus (n=456, 48.98% of total population, M:F=245:211). While data of patients having hypertension without diabetes mellitus was placed in H group (n=475, 51.02% of total population, M: F=254:221). RESULTS: Prevalence of CAD is higher in HD group than in H group (47.8% vs. 30.1%; p<0.001). CAD is more prevalent in males than females in both groups (53.9 % vs. 40.8% in HD group, and 39.4% vs. 19.5% in H group). This difference in prevalence of CAD in HD and H groups is more marked in females (40.8% vs. 19.5%; p<0.001) than males (53.9 % vs. 39.4%; p=0.001). Prevalence of CAD in patients with typical presentation is not statistically significant in HD and H groups (72.3% vs. 68.4%; p=0.645), while in subjects with atypical presentation prevalence is significantly higher in HD group than H group (40.8% vs. 26.8%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of CAD is higher in the group of patients having essential hypertension with diabetes mellitus than the group of patients having essential hypertension without diabetes mellitus.
Extremes Rainfall Events on Riparian Flora and Vegetation in the Mediterranean Basin: A Challenging but Completely Unexplored Theme

In a global climate change scenario “Extreme climatic events” are expected to widely affect flora and vegetation in Med-regions, especially “Extremes Rainfall Events” which will have impacts on riparian environments. Aiming to provide an in-depth picture on the effects of these events on the riparian flora and vegetation in the Mediterranean Basin, especially focusing on islands, a bibliographic search was performed in the main international databases, which led to 571 articles published from 2000 to 2021. Most studies have analyzed these phenomena from the climatic point of view identifying three main topics “Rainfall”, “Global/Climate change”, and “Flood”. 81 papers concerned effects of extreme events on Mediterranean woodland formations and cultivated plants. A further analysis focused on European countries and Mediterranean bioregion using “Extreme rainfall events” and “Extreme rainfall and floods” as keywords. A low number of records relating to Mediterranean island regions was found, having Sicily as the study area. Moreover, seven articles had Sardinia as a study area, four of which referred to flora and vegetation. A lack of studies on the effects of extreme rainfall events on riparian flora and vegetation were highlighted. This review constitutes a call for researchers to explore extreme phenomena that have become recurrent in the Mediterranean Basin.
Myeloperoxidase-Oxidized LDL Activates Human Aortic Endothelial Cells through the LOX-1 Scavenger Receptor

Cardiovascular disease as a result of atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis is primarily caused by the dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells and the subendothelial accumulation of oxidized forms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Early observations have linked oxidized LDL effects in atherogenesis to the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) scavenger receptor. It was shown that LOX-1 is upregulated by many inflammatory mediators and proatherogenic stimuli including cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), hemodynamic blood flow, high blood sugar levels and, most importantly, modified forms of LDL. Oxidized LDL signaling pathways in atherosclerosis were first explored using LDL that is oxidized by copper (Cuox-LDL). In our study, we used a more physiologically relevant model of LDL oxidation and showed, for the first time, that myeloperoxidase oxidized LDL (Mox-LDL) may affect human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) function through the LOX-1 scavenger receptor. We report that Mox-LDL increases the expression of its own LOX-1 receptor in HAECs, enhancing inflammation and simultaneously decreasing tubulogenesis in the cells. We hypothesize that Mox-LDL drives endothelial dysfunction (ED) through LOX-1 which provides an initial hint to the pathways that are initiated by Mox-LDL during ED and the progression of atherosclerosis.
A study on the mathematical model for predicting the peel removal efficiency of a cassava peeler

A mathematical model for predicting the peeling efficiency of a cassava peeler was developed using a dimensional analysis based on Buckingham' s pi theorem. The model was validated using data from experimental studies which revealed a maximum coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.8366 between the measured and predicted values. The developed model proved appropriate in estimating the peel removal efficiency for a cassava peeler by up to 83.66%. There was no significance difference between the experimental and predicted values at a 0.05 significance level.