Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can we use the young : female ratio to infer ungulate population dynamics? An empirical test using red deer Cervus elaphus as a model

Summary 1 Management decisions for exploited species often rely on count ratios, such as the young to adult female ratio as a proxy of birth rate, and the decrease in the ratio between yearling and females in year t+ 1 and the young : female ratio in year t to obtain juvenile survival. However, the reliability of such estimates has yet to be demonstrated. 2 We investigated the consistency of the young to female ratio method by using observations on individually marked female red deer. These females were known to have raised their calves to weaning successfully. We compared temporal variation in the proportion of females with a calf at heel from count ratios with the probability of observing a calf with its mother from marked animals. 3 The proportion of females observed with a calf at heel decreased over time (from 0·43 early May to 0·15 early March). This measure was influenced by individual variation and by interactive effects of year and habitat type, although there was no direct relationship with the density of vegetation cover. 4 The proportion of females seen with a calf at heel assessed from counts did not correspond with the probability of observing a female with a calf at heel, given that she successfully weaned a calf in autumn (estimated from direct observation). The probability of observing a female with a calf was highest in September (0·4) prior to the rut and lowest just after the birth season (0·08) and during the rut (0·18). 5 The temporal pattern in the probability of observing a calf with its mother, given that she successfully weaned a calf, reflected changes in the mother–calf bond from birth to weaning, rather than changes in offspring mortality or changes in pregnancy rates. These variations in the probability of observing the mother–calf pair in the field may lead to strong biases in count ratio-based methodologies. 6 Synthesis and applications. This study has important implications for the management of ungulate populations when decisions are based on count ratios. Our results indicate that count-based estimates of vital rates are misleading, especially in closed habitats. Pregnancy rate and juvenile survival rate are both key parameters in detecting density-dependence responses. Reliable estimates of survival and pregnancy rates obtained from marked animals and foetus sampling are more accurate. Alternatively, yearly monitoring of young body mass or bone length coupled with an index of grazing pressure would improve the assessment of population dynamics.
Transfer Learning with Convolutional Neural Networks for Diabetic Retinopathy Image Classification. A Review

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a dangerous eye condition that affects diabetic patients. Without early detection, it can affect the retina and may eventually cause permanent blindness. The early diagnosis of DR is crucial for its treatment. However, the diagnosis of DR is a very difficult process that requires an experienced ophthalmologist. A breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence called deep learning can help in giving the ophthalmologist a second opinion regarding the classification of the DR by using an autonomous classifier. To accurately train a deep learning model to classify DR, an enormous number of images is required, and this is an important limitation in the DR domain. Transfer learning is a technique that can help in overcoming the scarcity of images. The main idea that is exploited by transfer learning is that a deep learning architecture, previously trained on non-medical images, can be fine-tuned to suit the DR dataset. This paper reviews research papers that focus on DR classification by using transfer learning to present the best existing methods to address this problem. This review can help future researchers to find out existing transfer learning methods to address the DR classification task and to show their differences in terms of performance.
Early Medieval Place-Names and Riverine Flood Histories: A New Approach and New Chronostratigraphic Records for Three English Rivers

Environmental information from place-names has largely been overlooked by geoarchaeologists and fluvial geomorphologists in analyses of the depositional histories of rivers and floodplains. Here, new flood chronologies for the rivers Teme, Severn, and Wye are presented, modelled from stable river sections excavated at Broadwas, Buildwas, and Rotherwas. These are connected by the Old English term *wæsse, interpreted as ‘land by a meandering river which floods and drains quickly’. The results reveal that, in all three places, flooding during the early medieval period occurred more frequently between AD 350–700 than between AD 700–1100, but that over time each river's flooding regime became more complex including high magnitude single events. In the sampled locations, the fluvial dynamics of localized flood events had much in common, and almost certainly differed in nature from other sections of their rivers, refining our understanding of the precise nature of flooding which their names sought to communicate. This study shows how the toponymic record can be helpful in the long-term reconstruction of historic river activity and for our understanding of past human perceptions of riverine environments.
Polyethylene and Polyvinyl Chloride-Blended Polystyrene Nanofibrous Sorbents and Their Application in the Removal of Various Oil Spills

Polymers provide a wide range of properties, and these properties can be greatly enhanced and modified through polymer blending. Polymer blending combines the properties and advantages of their original polymers. This paper showcases hydrophobic polymers prepared through polymer blending; these blends are characterized and evaluated for their efficiency in the removal of crude oil spills from aqueous media. The application of these blends holds a great deal of importance in preserving the environment and the recovery of lost oil in spills. The blends are produced using polystyrene (PS) as the matrix polymer and individually blending poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) with the PS consisting of proportions of 5–20 wt. % each. The blends are then electrospun into bead-free microfibers with interconnected porosities as shown by their respective scanned electron micrographs. All fibrous sorbents showed a high affinity towards the removal of crude oil, motor oil, and diesel spills. The highly viscous motor spill showed a different pattern of sorption onto fibers than that of crude oil and diesel spills. Upon comparing all the studied electrospun fibers to commercially available polypropylene fibrous sorbents, results show that the sorption efficiency of the electrospun fibers is superior. Most notably, both PS-PE5 and PS-PVC5 fibers showed to be highly more effective than commercially available polypropylene (PP) sorbents towards all types of oil spills.
Deep Learning based Prediction of EEG Motor Imagery of Stroke Patients’ for Neuro-Rehabilitation Application

Due to the non-stationary nature of electroencephalography (EEG) signals, a Brain-computer Interfacing (BCI) system requires frequent calibration. This leads to intersession inconsistency which is one of the main reason that impedes the widespread adoption of non-invasive BCI for real-world applications, especially in rehabilitation and medicine. Domain adaptation and deep learning-based techniques have gained relevance in designing calibration-free BCIs to solve this issue. EEGNet is one such deep net architecture that has been successful in performing inter-subject classification, albeit on data from healthy participants. This is the first paper, which tests the performance of EEGNet on data obtained from 10 hemiparetic stroke patients while performing left and right motor imagery tasks. Results obtained on implementing EEGNet have been promising and it has comparably good performance as from expensive feature engineering-based approaches for both within-subject and cross-subject classification. The less dependency on feature engineering techniques and the ability to extract generalized features for inter-subject classification makes EEGNet a promising deep-learning architecture for developing practically feasible solutions for BCI based neuro-rehabilitation applications.
Super-Resolution of 3D Color Point Clouds Via Fast Graph Total Variation

3D point clouds acquired by low-cost sensors are often in lower spatial resolutions than desired for rendering images on high-resolution displays. In this paper, we propose a fast super-resolution (SR) algorithm for color 3D point clouds. We first populate a target low-res point cloud with added interior points. We refine the newly added 3D coordinates and their RGB values by minimizing a graph total variation (GTV) term of connected points’ surface normals and RGB values respectively. Unlike non-local methods that require computation-intensive searches of similar patches in a large defined space, our algorithm is inherently local and performs smoothing of newly inserted points only with respect to neighboring points. Moreover, differing from our previous GTV-based SR algorithm that employs gradient descent procedures with sensitive step size parameters due to GTV’s non-smooth l1-norm, we rewrite the l1 objective into a linear proxy, so that together with constraints on surface normals / RGB values, it can be solved efficiently as a parameter-free linear program (LP). Experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms competing non-graph-based point cloud SR schemes, and is significantly faster than our previous graph-based SR method.
Computed Tomography Evaluation of Normal Lacrimal Gland Dimensions in the Adult Pakistani Population

Objectives To estimate the normal dimensions of lacrimal glands (LGs) in the Pakistani population using computed tomography (CT) scan and to determine the associations of LG dimensions with age, sex, and laterality. Methods The study population included subjects aged ≥16 years without orbital pathology who underwent CT evaluation of both the right and left LGs at Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital from June 2018 to November 2019. The mean axial length (AL), axial width (AW), coronal length (CL), and coronal width (CW) of each LG were measured separately. Results The 108 subjects enrolled in this study included 75 (69.4%) men and 33 (30.6%) women, with a mean age of 49±20 years. Right and left LG dimensions were similar, including mean AL (13.53±1.80 mm vs. 13.35±1.72 mm), mean AW (4.20±0.81 mm vs. 4.05±0.93 mm), mean CL (15.46±1.97 mm vs. 15.26±1.87 mm), and mean CW (3.99±0.80 mm vs. 3.86±0.81 mm). The AL of both LGs and the CL and CW of right but not left LGs were significantly lower in women than in men. Age showed significant correlations with the AL and CL of both LGs. Conclusion These findings establish the normal range of LG dimensions in adult Pakistani populations. Some LG dimensions are smaller in women than in men, as well as correlating with age.
Binding Mechanism of Remdesivir to SARS-CoV-2 RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase

Starting from December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a once-in-a-century pandemic with deadly consequences, which urgently calls for new treatments, cures and supporting apparatuses. Remdesivir was reported by World Health Organization (WHO) as the most promising drug currently available for the treatment of COVID-19. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation methods to study the inhibition mechanism of remdesivir to its target SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In the absence of a crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, we first construct the homology model of this polymerase based on a previously available structure of SARS-CoV NSP12 RdRp (with a sequence identify of 95.8%). We then build the putative binding mode by aligning the remdesivir + RdRp complex to the ATP bound poliovirus RdRp. The putative binding structure is further optimized with molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrated to be stable, indicating a reasonable binding mode for remdesivir. The relative binding free energy of remdesivir is calculated to be -8.28 ± 0.65 kcal/mol, much stronger than the natural substrate ATP (-4.14 ± 0.89 kcal/mol) which is needed for the polymerization. The ~800-fold improvement in the Kd from remdesivir over ATP indicates an effective replacement of APT in blocking of the RdRp binding pocket. Key residues D618, S549 and R555 are found to be the contributors to the binding affinity of remdesivir. These findings demonstrate that remdesivir can potentially act as a SARS-CoV-2 RNA-chain terminator, effectively stopping its RNA reproduction, with key residues also identified for future lead optimization and/or drug resistance studies.
Application of the Modified College Impact Model to Understand Chinese Engineering Undergraduates’ Sustainability Consciousness

The college impact model provides a valuable framework for explaining various college student learning outcomes. However, few quantitative studies have examined the effectiveness of college impact model in explaining engineering undergraduates’ sustainability consciousness, a critical learning outcome in engineering education. This study proposes a modified college impact model to test the structural links among curriculum experiences, sustainable agency beliefs, and engineering undergraduates’ sustainability consciousness, and to explore the moderating effect of gender on the structural model. Data are collected from 1804 senior engineering students enrolled in five traditional engineering disciplines at 14 first-class engineering universities in China. Structural equation modeling was used for testing the research model. The results demonstrate that (1) curricular emphasis has a significant direct impact on all three dimensions of students’ sustainability consciousness, while instructional practice has a significant direct influence on the sustainability knowingness dimension; (2) both curricular emphasis and instructional practice have a significant indirect influence on sustainability consciousness through the full or partial mediation of sustainable agency beliefs; and (3) gender moderates several paths in the structural model. Theoretical and practical implications are provided, and suggestions for future research are offered.
Negating Solastalgia: An Emotional Revolution from the Anthropocene to the Symbiocene

I shall situate the emerging literature on eco-grief, climate grief, and ecological grief within the concept of solastalgia. I argue that the concept of solastalgia, as created and developed to the present, has strong affinities with the eco-grief literature. Solastalgia, the lived experience of negative environmental change, has much to offer those who seek clarification about the relationship between the state of human emotions and the state of the built and natural environment. In order to negate the distress and grief of emergent solastalgia, I have also created a new meme, the Symbiocene, which is the locus for the full expression of positive emotions that counter, or are the opposite of, solastalgia and other negative Earth emotions. I shall conclude with the idea that Generation Anthropocene, the ongoing cause of negative Earth emotions, shall be confronted by Generation Symbiocene and their suite of positive Earth emotions. This war of the emotions, I argue, shall determine the fate of humans on the Earth.
CLIENTS’ EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION OF UTILIZING HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN A COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Background: The growing concept of Community Based Healthcare Insurance (CBHI) refers to the offerings of financial protection in contradiction of illness cost and enhancing the accessibility to quality healthcare services for the people who belong to rural low-income households and are often accepted from official insurance. The main aim behind carrying out this study was to assist concerned authorities in the healthcare sector of Pakistan regarding the implementation of quality enhancement initiatives of community-based health insurance programs. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method design was adopted where the structured questionnaire was used to collect primary. The sample comprised of 386 participants for the survey and 8 for interviews regarding their experiences and satisfaction towards the services offered and utilised under an insurance programme. The researcher approached two main hospitals of Lahore where the insurance programme has been engaged in offering services; these hospitals included Sharif Medical City Hospital and Punjab Institute of Cardiology. The researcher used descriptive statistics and multinomial regression for quantitative assessment. For qualitative assessment, thematic analysis was used on the basis of responses obtained from interviews. Result: The findings of the study concluded that patients were satisfied with the services provided at the hospitals chosen as the study setting. The hospitals under the insurance programme in Lahore have been engaged in providing a relaxed environment and it has affected the experience and satisfaction of the patients towards the services. Conclusion: Patients are getting their desired healthcare results under the insurance programme, and are contented with the overall healthcare service. The experience of clients who consumed health insurance program embraces great importance in the improvement of further improving healthcare services and for designing effective healthcare policies. Keywords: Client’s experience, client’s satisfaction, healthcare sector, health insurance program, Pakistan
Cultural and physiological studies on Curvularia lunata, a casual agent of grain discolouration in rice.

Accepted : June, 2010 Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important food crop belonging to family Poaceae and is the staple food of more than half of the world’s population. About 90 per cent of the world’s rice is produced and consumed in Asia alone. Majority of the fungi, viz., Curvularia lunata, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium moniliforme, Heliminthosporium oryzae responsible for causing grain discolouration are reported to be seed borne in nature (Ou, 1985; Mew et al., 1988; Agarwal et al., 1989 and Singh, 1993). Grain discolouration now has assumed great importance in recent years because of the changes of cropping practices into intensive system like increased fertilizer application and developed more rice seasons yearly but not too many resistant varieties combined with good yield characters are available for cultivation. Rice is mostly grown in the wet season, when high humidity and high temperature prevail. These conditions are congenial for infection of seed with number of fungi.
Kappa and Beyond: Is There Agreement?

It is often of interest to assess agreement between 2 or more observers when the observation of interest is categorical. Observations of clinical interest can include diagnoses, assessment of risk factors (exposures), and outcomes. The statistical tool most widely used to determine agreement is the kappa statistic. The kappa statistic is a chance-corrected measure; that is, it seeks to assess agreement beyond that which occurs by chance. However, it is well known that kappa has some limitations that can lead to paradoxical results (low kappa even in the presence of strong observer agreement) in certain circumstances. In this article, we will review kappa and its limitation, and introduce an alternative measure of agreement, the Agreement Coefficient 1 (AC1) given by Gwet. 3
The Effect of Recombinant LH Addition to Recombinant FSH on Assisted Reproductive Technologies Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Patients without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Obesity and overweight negatively affect fertility. Protocols need to be developed in ART treatments for obese and overweight women. Objectives: To investigate the effect of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) addition to recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) on treatment outcomes in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycles in obese and overweight women without polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out in Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, Assisted Reproductive Techniques Clinic between January 2016 and March 2019. To analyze the impact of rLH addition to rFSH in GnRH antagonist cycles in overweight and obese, the patients were divided into four groups according to body mass index (BMI) and gonadotropin type; Group 1: patients with BMI ≥ 25 stimulated with rFSH alone (n: 37), Group 2: patients with BMI ≥ 25 stimulated with rFSH + rLH (n: 37), Group 3: patients with BMI between 18.5 - 24.99 stimulated with rFSH alone (n: 33), Group 4: patients with BMI between 18.5 and 24.99 stimulated with rFSH + rLH (n: 30). Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were excluded. Results: Basal LH levels were found to be significantly lower in obese and overweight patients compared to normoweight patients (p = 0.01). Grade 1 embryo ratio in obese and overweight patients was higher in rLH added obese group than in group LH not included (64.9%, p = 0.005). Ongoing pregnancy rates (OPR) in obese and overweight patients were significantly higher in rLH added group compared to rFSH only group (43.2% vs 18.9% respectively, p = 0.044). However, OPR did not differ significantly in rLH added and rFSH only groups in normoweight patients (p = 0.588). Conclusion: This study has shown that obese and overweight non-PCOS patients have lower endogenous LH levels. It has also shown that rLH supplementation in GnRH antagonist cycles in obese and overweight women improves embryo quality and ongoing pregnancy rates. However rLH addition to rFSH doesn’t seem to have a value in normoweight patients.
Basic principles and applications

MRI: Basic Principles and Applications offers the only concise overview of magnetic resonance physics, imaging techniques, hardware, and applications available. This third edition includes dozens of brand new images to support the text, as well as added discussions on 3D imaging, real time imaging, cardiac imaging, and parallel acquisition techniques. Clinical protocols have been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect current methodologies.
From REO to Ruin: Post-Foreclosure Pathways and the Production of Decline in Detroit, Michigan

ABSTRACT Although much has been written about the localized impacts of foreclosed properties, few studies have examined the role of the main actors handling mortgage-reverted properties, particularly the parties responsible for their disposition. Fewer still have examined these trends in historically stable but hard-hit neighborhoods where owner practices are implicated in current conditions. This study examines the likelihood of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the government-sponsored enterprises selling real estate owned homes in the historically stable neighborhoods of Detroit, Michigan, to investors, as well as the likelihood of tax foreclosure following sales to homebuyers and investors. Whereas federal entities were less likely to sell homes to investors, all parties sold a high percentage of homes to investors. Once sold to an investor, the probability of tax foreclosure is extremely high. These results suggest federal and non-federal entities alike are associated with destabilizing and dispossessory outcomes that irreversibly altered these neighborhoods.