Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of the Deployment of the Auto-Visual Acute Flaccid Paralysis Detection and Reporting (AVADAR) System for Strengthening Polio Surveillance in Africa From 2017 to 2018: Evaluation Study

Background As we move toward a polio-free world, the challenge for the polio program is to create an unrelenting focus on smaller areas where the virus is still present, where children are being repeatedly missed, where immunity levels are low, and where surveillance is weak. Objective This article aimed to describe a possible solution to address weak surveillance systems and document the outcomes of the deployment of the Auto-Visual Acute Flaccid Paralysis Detection and Reporting (AVADAR) project. Methods This intervention was implemented in 99 targeted high-risk districts with concerns for silent polio circulation from eight countries in Africa between August 1, 2017, and July 31, 2018. A total of 6954 persons (5390 community informants and 1564 health workers) were trained and equipped with a smartphone on which the AVADAR app was configured to allow community informants to send alerts on suspected acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and allow health worker to use electronic checklists for investigation of such alerts. The AVADAR and Open Data Kit ONA servers were at the center of the entire process. A dashboard system and coordination teams for monitoring and supervision were put in place at all levels. Results Overall, 96.44% (24,142/25,032) of potential AFP case alerts were investigated by surveillance personnel, yielding 1414 true AFP cases. This number (n=1414) reported through AVADAR was higher than the 238 AFP cases expected during the study period in the AVADAR districts and the 491 true AFP cases reported by the traditional surveillance system. A total of 203 out of the 1414 true AFP cases reported were from special population settings, such as refugee camps and insecure areas. There was an improvement in reporting in silent health areas in all the countries using the AVADAR system. Finally, there were 23,473 reports for other diseases, such as measles, diarrhea, and cerebrospinal meningitis, using the AVADAR platform. Conclusions This article demonstrates the added value of AVADAR to rapidly improve surveillance sensitivity. AVADAR is capable of supporting countries to improve surveillance sensitivity within a short interval before and beyond polio-free certification.
A General Methodology to Optimize and Benchmark Edge Devices

The explosion of Internet Of Things (IoT), embedded and “smart” devices has also seen the addition of “general purpose” single board computers also referred to as “edge devices. ” Determining if one of these generic devices meets the need of a new given task however can be challenging. Software generically written to be portable or plug and play may be too bloated to work properly without significant modification due to much tighter hardware resources. Previous work in this area has been focused on micro or chip-level benchmarking which is mainly useful for chip designers or low level system integrators. A higher or macro level method is needed to not only observe the behavior of these devices under a load but ensure they are appropriately configured for the new task, especially as they begin being integrated on platforms with higher cost of failure like self driving cars or drones. In this research we propose a macro level methodology that iteratively benchmarks and optimizes specific workloads on edge devices. With automation provided by Ansible, a multi stage 2 full factorial experiment and robust analysis process ensures the test workload is maximizing the use of available resources before establishing a final benchmark score. By framing the validation tests with a family of network security monitoring applications an end to end scenario fully exercises and validates the developed process. This also provides an additional vector for future research in the realm of network security. The analysis of the results show the developed process met it’s original design goals and intentions, with the added fact that the latest edge devices like the XAVIER, TX2 and RPi4 can easily perform as a edge network sensor.
X–ray topographic study of striation formation in layer growth of crystals from solutions

The Lang X–ray topography method and double–crystal plane–wave X–ray topography combined with image treatment have been used to study the zonal inhomogeneity formation during crystal growth from solutions. It is shown that striation formation in crystals can be caused not only by the variations of the external growth conditions, but also by the action of some ‘interna’ factors such as the variations in the dislocation structure of the crystal and modification of the growth–step distribution on the growing faces. The homogeneity of rapidly grown KDP crystals (10 to 16 mm d–1) was quantitatively evaluated with accuracy of ca. 10–7 Å.
Algebraic and analytic properties associated with spectral transformations of matrix orthogonal polynomials

The main purpose of this work is the study of algebraic and analytic properties associated with spectral transformations of sequences of matrix orthogonal polynomials with respect to a matrix measure supported either on the unit circle or on the real line. In both frameworks, we study some properties related with a perturbation of a sequence of matrix moments. We extend to the matrix case some algebraic and analytic properties of matrix orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle, that are known in the scalar case, associated with the Uvarov and Christoffel matrix transformations of a Hermitian matrix measure supported on the unit circle. We also study properties of block Hessenberg and block CMV matrices associated with sequences of matrix orthonormal polynomials, under certain transformations of the corresponding matrix measure. In addition, we extend to the matrix case some properties of the Szegő transformation and then use these properties to analyze its effect on some spectral transformations, focusing on the relationship between the matrix-valued Stieltjes and Carathéodory functions.
Implication of Serum and Salivary Levels of Albumin as a Diagnostic Tool in Oral Premalignancy and Malignancy

Background: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in the initiation and promotion of the multistep carcinogenesis. In neoplastic conditions many biochemical substances many biochemical substances including albumin show altered values . The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serum and salivary albumin levels can be used as diagnostic tools in oral premalignant and malignant leisons. Methods: The study includes a total of 45 subjects with 15 each of normal healthy, pre-malignancy and malignancy. Fivemilliliter of venous blood was drawn and unstimulated saliva was collected in the early morning. Albumin levels were estimated by Bromocresol Green Method. Results: Serum albumin levels were found to decrease in pre-malignancy and malignancy as compared to healthy individuals. Salivary Albumin levels were increased in pre-malignancy and malignancy as compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion: Tobacco consumption is one of the most important risk factors for the development of oral cancer. Burst of reactive oxygen species which cause oxidative stress in tobacco users is prime form of damage brought to the genetic material leading to non-lethal mutations causing pre-malignancy and malignancy.Serum protein has long been implicated to have anti-oxidant properties due to rich concentration of free thiol group. Albumin is a potent extracellular anti oxidant defense and a reliable marker of oxidative stress in the body. It could be helpful in the early identification of various oral pre malignancy and malignant leisons.
Inventory of Large Mammal Species in the Ilgaz Mountains Çankırı : A Major Ecological Corridor in Anatolia

I n order to understand the processes engendered by different faunal elements in natural systems, and to plan how such systems should be managed and conserved, it is essential to start by determining the presence of those faunal elements, even large mammals. The entire range of North Anatolian Mountains provides suitable sheltering and feeding habitats for large mammals. The region stretching between Köroğlu Mountains (west) and Ilgaz Mountains (east) is one of the most important Anatolia’s wildlife corridors. We located and identified the species of large mammals in the Ilgaz Mountains, as well as specific habitats used by them. Field studies carried out in this region during April-August 2017 resulted in 180 records of nine different species of large mammals: Lepus europaeus, Ursus arctos, Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Lynx lynx, Meles meles, Sus scrofa, Cervus elaphus and Capreolus capreolus . To obtain those records took 621 days of studying with camera traps. Among those species, European hare was the most frequently recorded herbivore (101), and brown bear was the most frequently recorded carnivore (19). Both hare and roe deer displayed clustered distribution patterns in the region. The analysis of our records showed that lynx, boar, and fox were strictly nocturnal; whereas hare and wolf were predominantly nocturnal. We also obtained records of the cubs of many large mammal species (bear, lynx, boar, red deer, roe deer) although we did not encounter any large mammal nests during the study.
Identity and relationships of Sempervivum tectorum (Crassulaceae) in the Rhine Gorge area

Abstract: Sempervivum tectorum (Crassulaceae), an orophyte widespread in the European high mountains, also grows in rocky habitats of the Rhine Gorge area (Upper Middle Rhine, Mosel and Ahr river valleys). On the background of its long history of cultivation, it is unclear whether S. tectorum is native or naturalized in the Rhine Gorge area. Using 52 accessions of S. tectorum from across its geographical range (except SE Europe) as well as 15 samples of S. calcareum and S. marmoreum in our final sample, we conducted a genotyping-by-sequencing analysis. The genetic data were used for the identification of genetic groups and for the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships. We found that the material from the Rhine Gorge area forms a homogeneous genetic group that is clearly distinct from populations from the Massif Central, Alps and Pyrenees. The Rhine Gorge material appears to be most closely related to material from the Massif Central. We hypothesize that the disjunct distribution of the Rhine Gorge/Massif Central clade is best interpreted as the remnant of a formerly wider distribution area obtained in a Quaternary glacial. The possibility of recognizing Rhine Gorge material taxonomically is discussed and rejected for morphological and nomenclatural reasons. Citation: Fabritzek A. G. & Kadereit J. W. 2018: Identity and relationships of Sempervivum tectorum (Crassulaceae) in the Rhine Gorge area. – Willdenowia 48: 405–414. doi: https://doi.org/10.3372/wi.48. 48310 Version of record first published online on 16 November 2018 ahead of inclusion in December 2018 issue.
Options for Managing Antestiopsis thunbergii (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and the Relationship of Bug Density to the Occurrence of Potato Taste Defect in Coffee

Abstract Potato taste defect is a potato-like smell found in green and roasted coffee beans. Potato taste defect reduces the flavor experience of finished coffee and causes it to be rejected by consumers. The presence of potato taste defect has been associated with insect damage, especially damage from the Antestia bug, Antestiopsis thunbergii (Gremlin) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management using pruning alone or in combination with several commercially available insecticides to control a field population of Antestia bug and to assess the relationship between these treatments and the occurrence of potato taste defect in coffee using laboratory and field tests. Field trials were conducted in 3 major coffee growing regions of Rwanda: Rubona, Gakenke, and Kirehe. In laboratory bioassays, significant differences were found between insecticides on the percentage mortality of adult bugs. The percent mortality was higher for pyrethroid, Fastac (Alpha-cypermethrin), and pyrethrins (Pyrethrum 5EW, Pyrethrum EWC + Sesame and Agroblaster) than for the neonicotinoid, imidacloprid. Mortality from imidacloprid increased over time, providing a lower mortality than Pyrethrum 5EW and Agroblaster 12 h post-treatment. In the field, the highest mean mortality was achieved with Pyrethrum 5EW, Fastac, and Pyrethrum EWC applied to pruned coffee trees. Additionally, pruning alone registered a statistically higher mean insect mortality than unpruned coffee trees without insecticides application. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that potato taste defect was positively associated with the bug density and the extent of damage caused by Antestia bug. The study suggests that pruning combined with insecticide application, especially Fastac, provides better control of Antestia bug and significantly reduces potato taste defect compared to either pruning or insecticide application alone.
The Role of Urban Agriculture in a Secure, Healthy, and Sustainable Food System

Investments in urban agriculture (UA) initiatives have been increasing in the United States, but the costs and benefits to society are poorly understood. Urban agriculture can link socioeconomic and health systems, support education and societal engagement, and contribute to a range of conservation goals, including nutrient recycling and biodiversity conservation. Urban agriculture is spatially dispersed and small scale, creating opportunities to redirect underutilized land, water, and nutrient resources. Urban agriculture reduces water and carbon footprints when it replaces lawns. Labor and time requirements, potential for environmental and nutrient pollution, and scarce water resources are challenges that UA must address. Based on our review of the literature, it is unclear whether UA provides economic or nutritional benefits to urbanites, but our case study shows that UA can provide some benefits when replacing other land uses.
Determination of prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates collected from different parts of domestic refrigerators

Refrigerator form an important link in wide chain of cross contamination which leads to the outbreak of domestic food borne disease.In this study samples were obtained from various parts (drawer,handle,egg tray,surface) of domestic refrigerators of various parts of Mohakhali and Mirpur area, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 37 isolates collected from 8 different parts were identified. Identification of bacteria was done through conventional biochemical tests according to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of all isolates were performed against nine commercial antibiotic discs [Ampicillin (10 μg), Ciprofloxacin (5 μg), Chloramphenicol (30 μg), Gentamycin (10 μg), Azithromycin (15μg), Penicillin-G (10 μg), Nalidixic acid (30 μg), Streptomycin (10μg), Tetracycline (30 μg)] by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. A total of 37 isolates had been identified where Staphylococcus spp.and Klebsiella spp.showed the highest prevalence 8(21.62%), next to Pseudomonas spp 5(13.5%). ,E.coli 5(13.5%), Salmonella spp 5 (13.5%), Bacillus spp. 2 (5.4%) and Vibrio spp. 4 (10.8%). Ampicillin showed the highest resistance percentage (81.08%) for most of the isolates. Out of 37 bacterial isolates, (29.72%) were resistant to more than two antibiotics. We also determined temperature tolerance of the organisms by growing the isolates in different temperature like 45°C,50°C and 55°C. All the isolates showed growth at 45°C but in 50°C and 55°C only (54.05%) and (10.81%) isolates showed viable growth. These results indicate that the presence of these organisms, including potential foodborne pathogens, in domestic refrigerators portends serious health implications. It is needed to maintain appropriate food storage and refrigerator management, and proper hand hygiene is recommended.
COLOURATION AS AN INTRASPECIFIC SIGNAL IN BIRDS

Colour variation seems to be a pivotal trait in avian communication dynamics, where information is provided to recipients by ‘signallers’ through colouration. Plumage colours can be structural or due to pigments incorporated into the keratin of feathers, and melanin-based colouration, produced by the melanocortin system, is one of the most common in birds. Melanin-based colouration is under genetic control and the degree of melanism is often associated with variation in physiological, behavioural and life-history traits, due to pleiotropic effects of the compounds regulating the melanin synthesis. However, variability in colouration is observed not only among plumage traits but also in fleshy ornaments, legs or eggshells. Variation in eggshell pigmentation, determined by biliverdin and protoporphyrin pigments, may accomplish several different functions, the most obvious of which are camouflage and background matching. It has been also proposed that intra-specific variation in eggshell pigmentation patterns could reflect egg, maternal or paternal traits and hence provides reliable cues to conspecifics about egg, maternal or paternal quality. The first part of the studies presented in this thesis is aimed at investigating the role of melanin-based colouration from different points of view. I started by investigating the role of melanin-based colouration in barn swallow nestling (Hirundo rustica) as a signal of individual quality and its covariation with behavioural stress response. Moreover, I investigated the covariation of genes regulating melanin-based plumage colouration and plumage polymorphism in lesser kestrel males (Falco naumanni). Secondly, since the relationship between protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation and egg or maternal/paternal traits appears to be highly variable among species, I investigated the possible signalling role of protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation in both study species. Using both experimental and correlative approaches, I found that even if pleiotropic effects of melanocortin system may still drive the associations between melanin-based colouration and individual quality, the melanocortin pleiotropic hypothesis may not apply to plumage colouration deriving from mixing of euand pheomelanins. Moreover, results on the potential signalling role of protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation in two distantly related bird species support the idea that intraspecific signalling via eggshell pigmentation is speciesspecific feature rather than a general pattern among avian taxa.
Medicinal Effects of Bromelain (Ananas comosus) Targeting Oral Environment as an Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Agent

Bromelain is obtained from Ananas comosus and is of significant clinical interest. Many studies have demonstrated bromelain's ability to treat immune-mediated conditions including reduction of platelet aggregation, angina pectoris and surgical trauma. ROS elimination were evaluated using a variety of anti-oxidation effect tests containing DPPH assay, ABTS+ radical scavenging assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Western blotting analysis and RT-PCR were used to investigate an anti-inflammatory agent in LPS-induced RAW cells. Treatment with bromelain exhibited significant scavenging abilities on superoxide radicals compared with control. As results of analyzing iNOS and COX-2 band appearance according to bromelain treatment, it inhibited the band expression dose-dependently. Also bromelain inhibits the phosphorylated-MAP kinases signaling pathways. Furthermore, it reduced c-Fos, phosphorylation of c-Jun and c-Jun. According to the results, it is demonstrated that bromelain of Ananas comosus extract have significant anti-inflammatory ability as well as antioxidant ability.
A framework for online prediction using kernel adaptive filtering

La tarea de prediccion en esquemas secuenciales en linea, es hoy un importante campo de estudio para el aprendizaje de maquina. Los Filtros Adaptativos basados en metodos kernel han tomado un papel importante para este tipo de tareas, esto se debe en gram medida a su condicion de aproximacion universal, su capacidad de solucionar problemas no lineales y al modesto costo computacion que poseen. Sin embargo, aunque tienen ventajas significativas con metodos similares, presentan diferentes desafios a solucionar como: (1) la sintonizacion de los parametros del ancho de banda del kernel y la tasa de aprendizaje; (2) la limitacion en el tamano de modelo, producto del numero de elementos que pueda contener el diccionario del filtro; y, (3) la eficaz construccion y modelamiento de multiples filtros. El mejoramiento de estas condiciones permitira una mejora en la representacion de las dinamicas de series de tiempo, lo que se traduce en una disminucion del error de prediccion. Este documento de tesis aborda las problematicas anteriores planteadas a partir de tres propuestas. La primera es via de la busqueda interativa de un adecuado ancho de banda del kernel y tasa de aprendizaje, lo cual se logra mediante la minimizacion de la correntropia dentro de una funcion de costos propuesta. El segundo aporte corresponde a un esquema de construccion secuencial de filtros, que a diferencia de otros metodos del estado del arte, no restringe las muestras a un unico diccionario, y que adicionalmente actualiza los pesos de las muestras compartidas en varios filtros. La tercera y ultima, corresponde a la integracion de un metodo de actualizacion del ancho de banda del kernel con otro que construye secuencialmente un banco de filtros. Estos distintos marcos propuestos, fueron validados en conjuntos de datos sinteticos como del mundo real. Los resultados en general presentan una mejora en la tasa de convergencia, la reduccion del error cuadratico medio y el tamano del diccionario con diferentes filtros del estado del arte y un red neuronal para un caso especifico.
Determinants of Job stress among Non-Managerial Restaurant Employees in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Despite positive growth of restaurant industry in Malaysia but on the other side of coin, this industry always associated with having low pay, long working hours, lack of benefits, hard work, physically exhausting, and underappreciated thus increasing job stress among employees. The job-related stress is a growing concern among the restaurant operators as it has a significant impact on the performance and productivity of employees. Additionally, excessive and unmanageable stress can be damaging to employees’ health as it affects their mental and physical wellbeing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify possible determinants and its influence towards job stress at workplace. The primary data of this study was derived from quantitative method, strictly to Malaysian non-managerial employees only and were distributed to 700 employees who were currently working in casual dining restaurants in Klang Valley area. After screening and data checking, a total of 487 self-completed questionnaires were usable for analysis with 69.6% of response rate. A multiple regression was run to predict job stress and three variables were used that are work environment, workload, and job autonomy. Results found that work environment and workload were statistically significantly predictor of job stress with F (4, 483) = 28.131, p < . 0005, R2 = . 149. These two variables added statistically significantly to the prediction, p < . 05 and will be discussed further in this paper. Findings obtained in this study could suggest to owners and restaurant operators to highlight factor that could contribute to job stress and strategize proactive measures to minimize stress and ultimately retain their employees in the industry.