Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurotoxin (N-Oxalyl-L-α,β-Diamino Propionic Acid) Content in Different Plant Parts of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Spanning Seedling to Maturity Stage: Does It Increase over Time?

ODAP (N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid) is present in the seeds of grass pea. In this study, variation of total ODAP accumulation in leaves throughout the crop growth starting from 40 days after sowing to maturity, and the distribution pattern of ODAP in different plant parts including the seeds at the mature stage was analyzed. Five grass pea accessions were evaluated for two subsequent growing seasons in one location of ICARDA, Aleppo (Syria). The results found that the rate of accumulation of total ODAP varied during plant development. Increased rates of synthesis were noticed in young leaves of grass pea. The highest total ODAP content in leaves was noted in the early growth stage (40–50 days after sowing). Mean total ODAP content in leaves ranged from 0.17 to 0.96 percent during 2010–2011 and from 0.19 to 1.28 percent during 2011–2012. During maturity, the total ODAP content was lowest in the seeds than in leaves, stems, pod cover, seed coat, and cotyledons. The ranges of total ODAP content were 0.13 (seed)–0.34 (stem), 0.20 (seed)–1.01 (leaf), 0.22 (seed)–0.62 (leaf), 0.21 (seed)–0.66 (leaf), and 0.21 (seed)–0.78 (leaf) percent in B387, B222, B390, Bio-520, and B587 accessions, respectively, during maturity. The results indicated that the rate of accumulation and synthesis of total ODAP varied during the plant lifespan. The lowest total ODAP content of leaves was observed after 130 days of sowing. The lower total ODAP content after the early vegetative stage of grass pea plants makes them suitable as a feed.
Surface Functionalities of Polymers for Biomaterial Applications

Changes of a material biointerface allow for specialized cell signaling and diverse biological responses. Biomaterials incorporating immobilized bioactive ligands have been widely introduced and used for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications in order to develop biomaterials with improved functionality. Furthermore, a variety of physical and chemical techniques have been utilized to improve biomaterial functionality, particularly at the material interface. At the interface level, the interactions between materials and cells are described. The importance of surface features in cell function is then examined, with new strategies for surface modification being highlighted in detail.
End-to-End Train Horn Detection for Railway Transit Safety

The train horn sound is an active audible warning signal used for warning commuters and railway employees of the oncoming train(s), assuring a smooth operation and traffic safety, especially at barrier-free crossings. This work studies deep learning-based approaches to develop a system providing the early detection of train arrival based on the recognition of train horn sounds from the traffic soundscape. A custom dataset of train horn sounds, car horn sounds, and traffic noises is developed to conduct experiments and analysis. We propose a novel two-stream end-to-end CNN model (i.e., THD-RawNet), which combines two approaches of feature extraction from raw audio waveforms, for audio classification in train horn detection (THD). Besides a stream with a sequential one-dimensional CNN (1D-CNN) as in existing sound classification works, we propose to utilize multiple 1D-CNN branches to process raw waves in different temporal resolutions to extract an image-like representation for the 2D-CNN classification part. Our experiment results and comparative analysis have proved the effectiveness of the proposed two-stream network and the method of combining features extracted in multiple temporal resolutions. The THD-RawNet obtained better accuracies and robustness compared to those of baseline models trained on either raw audio or handcrafted features, in which at the input size of one second the network yielded an accuracy of 95.11% for testing data in normal traffic conditions and remained above a 93% accuracy for the considerable noisy condition of-10 dB SNR. The proposed THD system can be integrated into the smart railway crossing systems, private cars, and self-driving cars to improve railway transit safety.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Fractional Low Dose of BNT162b2 Booster in Adults Following AZD1222

In the era of globally predominant omicron strains, a COVID-19 booster vaccine is needed. Our study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a half-dose BNT162b2 booster after AZD1222 in healthy adults. A randomized trial of volunteers aged 18–69 years who received two-dose AZD1222 was conducted. The participants were randomized to receive the BNT162b2 vaccine intramuscularly—half (15 µg) vs. standard dose (30 µg). The immunogenicity was evaluated by a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) against omicron variants and anti-spike-receptor-binding-domain IgG (anti-S-RBD IgG). From November–December 2021, 100 adults with a median age of 59.3 years (IQR 33.4–65.5) were enrolled. A booster dose was given at median of 98 days (IQR 92–128) after AZD1222. At day 14, the geometric means (GMs) of anti-S-RBD IgG in half- vs. standard-dose group were 2329.8 vs. 2574.7 BAU/mL, with a geometric mean ratio (GMR) of 0.90 (0.77–1.06). The GMs of sVNT against the omicron variant in the half- and standard-dose groups were 74.4% inhibition (95% CI 68.8–80.5) and 67.3% inhibition (57.9–78.1), respectively, with GMR of 0.95 (0.69–1.30). At day 90, the sVNT indicated 22.3% inhibition (95% CI 14.9–33.4) and 20.4% inhibition (13.1–32.0), respectively, with GMR of 1.09 (0.60–1.98). The fractional low-dose BNT162b2 mRNA booster vaccine provided non-inferior immunogenicity responses. During a shortage of vaccine supply, a fractional low dose should be considered for a booster vaccination program.
Persuasive Strategies and Their Implementations in Mobile Interventions for Physical Activity: A Systematic Review

Abstract Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as spending too many hours sitting and inadequate physical activity (PA) can contribute to different chronic diseases. Research has revealed the capabilities of digital technology interventions such as persuasive technologies (PTs) for providing health support and encouraging healthy behavior changes to assist people in preventing chronic diseases and having healthier lifestyles. Thus, the use of mobile technology to deliver PT interventions has dramatically increased, especially for promoting PA and reducing sedentary behavior (SB) by employing various persuasive strategies (PSs). This paper provides a systematic review of 16 years of research from 2006 to 2021. The review aims to (1) explore the various ways each strategy is implemented on mobile-based PTs for PA and SB, (2) evaluate the effectiveness of different ways of implementing the PSs on mobile-based PT interventions for PA and SB, (3) provide a comparison of the different ways of implementing each PS, (4) show the weaknesses and strengths of the interventions based on the strategies and implementations, (5) highlight the limitations and pitfalls of the existing research, and (6) give recommendations and directions for future research.
Use of Flavin-Related Cellular Autofluorescence to Monitor Processes in Microbial Biotechnology

Cellular autofluorescence is usually considered to be a negative phenomenon because it can affect the sensitivity of fluorescence microscopic or flow cytometric assays by interfering with the signal of various fluorescent probes. Nevertheless, in our work, we adopted a different approach, and green autofluorescence induced by flavins was used as a tool to monitor fermentation employing the bacterium Cupriavidus necator. The autofluorescence was used to distinguish microbial cells from abiotic particles in flow cytometry assays, and it was also used for the determination of viability or metabolic characteristics of the microbial cells. The analyses using two complementary techniques, namely fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, are simple and do not require labor sample preparation. Flavins and their autofluorescence can also be used in a combination with other fluorophores when the need for multi-parametrical analyses arises, but it is wise to use dyes that do not emit a green light in order to not interfere with flavins’ emission band (500–550 nm).
Parallel Detection Based on a Generalized Partial Response Target for Staggered Bit-Patterned Media Recording Systems

We consider a prospective island distribution of bit-patterned media recording (BPMR) that consists of a hexagonal array called a staggered BPMR. Although the staggered BPMR can reduce two-dimensional interference, including intersymbol interference from the downtrack direction and intertrack interference from the cross-track direction, the structure of the staggered BPMR is unsuitable for the detection schemes of regular BPMR. In the staggered BPMR, the islands along the neighboring tracks are skewed by a half period from the islands on the main track. Consequently, an island on the main track is distorted by the four closest islands on the neighboring tracks and the two closest islands on the main track. To detect the main data, based on the generalized partial response target, we divided the interference into three parts and applied three one-dimensional detectors. Then, to estimate the original signal, we averaged the three outputs of the three detectors. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed model improves performance compared with those described in previous studies.
Filamentous Pseudomonas Phage Pf4 in the Context of Therapy-Inducibility, Infectivity, Lysogenic Conversion, and Potential Application

More than 20% of all Pseudomonas aeruginosa are infected with Pf4-related filamentous phage and although their role in virulence of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 is well documented, its properties related to therapy are not elucidated in detail. The aim of this study was to determine how phage and antibiotic therapy induce Pf4, whether the released virions can infect other strains and how the phage influences the phenotype of new hosts. The subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin and mitomycin C increased Pf4 production for more than 50% during the first and sixth hour of exposure, respectively, while mutants appearing after infection with obligatory lytic phage at low MOI produced Pf4 more than four times after 12–24 h of treatment. This indicates that production of Pf4 is enhanced during therapy with these agents. The released virions can infect new P. aeruginosa strains, as confirmed for models UCBPP-PA14 (PA14) and LESB58, existing both episomally and in a form of a prophage, as confirmed by PCR, RFLP, and sequencing. The differences in properties of Pf4-infected, and uninfected PA14 and LESB58 strains were obvious, as infection with Pf4 significantly decreased cell autoaggregation, pyoverdine, and pyocyanin production, while significantly increased swimming motility and biofilm production in both strains. In addition, in strain PA14, Pf4 increased cell surface hydrophobicity and small colony variants’ appearance, but also decreased twitching and swarming motility. This indicates that released Pf4 during therapy can infect new strains and cause lysogenic conversion. The infection with Pf4 increased LESB58 sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, tetracycline, and streptomycin, and PA14 to ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime. Moreover, the Pf4-infected LESB58 was re-sensitized to ceftazidime and tetracycline, with changes from resistant to intermediate resistant and sensitive, respectively. The obtained results open a new field in phage therapy—treatment with selected filamentous phages in order to re-sensitize pathogenic bacteria to certain antibiotics. However, this approach should be considered with precautions, taking into account potential lysogenic conversion.
Most Entropic Copulas: General Form, and Calibration to High-Dimensional Data in an Important Special Case

We present some general results pertaining to Most Entropic Copulas (MECs), and describe the connection between MECs and a special type of Markov random field model. We also describe a fundamental, new, MEC, the Spearman Copula, which is, in some sense, the simplest nontrivial MEC, and present an efficient numerical method that can be applied to calibrate high-dimensional homogeneous Spearman Copulas. We benchmark Spearman Copula performance against that of other common copulas, on data from the joint distance-to-default movement of companies in the Dow Jones CDX IG Index, a standard portfolio of 125 investment grade entities in North America.
Global locational inequality: Assessing unequal exchange effects

Growth in international trade between countries at different levels of development is one of the main drivers of economic globalization. This phenomenon relates to the new international division of labour in which an Emerging Periphery, hosting the offshoring and outsourcing of world manufacturing, stands between a developed Center and a still backward, Poor Periphery. Following the analysis of the relative and absolute indices of global locational inequality, the effect of the unequal exchange on world income distribution in the last 25 years is investigated. A new methodology based on real currency misalignments and value-added trade is presented, which accounts also for international value transfers within global value chains. The counterfactual test shows that trade value transfers represent a significant source of revenue for the Center diverted from the Peripheries. Unequal exchange widens the opportunity gap between citizens of rich and poor countries through an increase in global locational inequality. Redefining post-pandemic international economic rules should therefore recognize the effect of unequal exchange on global inequality.
Structural equation modeling of lean manufacturing practices in a developing country context

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine lean manufacturing (LM) practices and to quantify their impact on business performance (BP), with particular emphasis on the mediating role of operational performance (OP) in deriving the BP benefits commonly linked with LM. It also seeks to identify those lean practices most appropriate for application.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data on LM practices were collected using a structured survey questionnaire. The sampling frame was Jordanian companies registered and listed by the Amman Chamber of Commerce. In total, 500 questionnaires were distributed among 300 companies and a total of 249 completed questionnaires were eligible for statistical processing, a response rate of 49.8 percent. Invalid questionnaires were eliminated, leaving 228 usable. The theoretical relations were tested by structural equation modeling.FindingsAlthough the results of the statistical analysis indicate a positive and significant impact of implementing LM practices on both OP and BP, they also show that the various LM practices did not receive equal recognition among the organizations surveyed. The most commonly adopted lean principles were found to be total preventive maintenance, statistical process control and housekeeping 5S.Research limitations/implicationsOther lean practices have not been considered as a dimension in this study. However, it opens new avenues of investigation relevant to lean practices.Practical implicationsThe most significant implication of the study is that managers in manufacturing firms should place more emphasis on LM practices when developing strategies for leveraging performance. The study shows that the LM approach contributes to BP when LM practices are simultaneously implemented.Originality/valueThe originality of this study lies in the new context in which it was conducted. The study adds value by investigating the implementation of LM practices which have been transferred from developed to developing countries and by empirically examining their impact on key performance indicators within the Jordanian manufacturing sector.
Natural ventilation in cities: the implications of fluid mechanics

ABSTRACT Research under the Managing Air for Green Inner Cities (MAGIC) project uses measurements and modelling to investigate the connections between external and internal conditions: the impact of urban airflow on the natural ventilation of a building. The test site was chosen so that under different environmental conditions the levels of external pollutants entering the building, from either a polluted road or a relatively clean courtyard, would be significantly different. Measurements included temperature, relative humidity, local wind and solar radiation, together with levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) both inside and outside the building to assess the indoor–outdoor exchange flows. Building ventilation took place through windows on two sides, allowing for single-sided and crosswind-driven ventilation, and also stack-driven ventilation in low wind conditions. The external flow around the test site was modelled in an urban boundary layer in a wind tunnel. The wind tunnel results were incorporated in a large-eddy-simulation model, Fluidity, and the results compared with monitoring data taken both within the building and from the surrounding area. In particular, the effects of street layout and associated street canyons, of roof geometry and the wakes of nearby tall buildings were examined.
Acoustic Optimization of Supersonic Multi-Stream Nozzles

The paper presents a framework for the rapid acoustic optimization of three-dimensional, multi-stream nozzles for the propulsion of supersonic aircraft. The framework is based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes solutions combined with a Design of Experiments approach. The RANS flow field is collapsed to a surface that is expected to contain the strongest contributions to far-field sound emission. Differential noise predictions are enabled by a modified acoustic analogy, with emphasis on the change in effective perceived noise level (EPNL). Response surfaces for EPNL and thrust loss are obtained after parameterization of the nozzle geometry. The optimal configuration was tested experimentally.
Relationship of Patterns of Use of Ddt and Its Residues in Animal Feeds and Food Products.

A study was undertaken to determine why DDT residue levels in milk produced on dairies in Northeast Louisiana was much higher than from dairies in other areas of Louisiana. The intensive agricultural practices and interrelationship of dairies and cotton farms in this area were thought to contribute to the contamination of milk • A relationship expressed as a time/DDT-milk residue effect due to the seasonal application of DDT on cotton was examined. The relationship between milk contaminated with DDT and feed ingredients contaminated with DDT was also investigated. Four dairies were selected for study. Herd milk samples from these four dairies revealed that all had DDT present in milk, ranging from 1.60 parts per million to approximately 6.00 parts per million (fat basis). All dairies investigated practice a combination of dry lot and pasture feeding. A positive correlation between the seasonal use of DDT on cotton and maximum levels of DDT in herd milk of each dairy was found. Based on a corrected mean residue value for a twelve-month period, the range in total DDT residues in milk from the four dairies studied was as follows: Dairy A from 1.38 in May to 5.54 parts per million (fat basis) in September; Dairy B from 0.81 in May to 3.77 parts per million in November; Dairy C from 1.45 in June to 9.90 parts per million in October; and Dairy D from 0.39 in June to a maximum of
Surgical management of os odontoideum: An Algerian center experience

ABSTRACT Background: Os odontoideum (OO) is a craniovertebral junction malformation of unknown origin. In most times, this lesion is highly unstable demanding surgical management. We present our series of OO surgical management and we discuss clinical, radiological, and management aspects of this pathology via our experience and literature opinions. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients operated on at our department between May 2014 and May 2021 for OO. All patients were explored with plane X-rays and computed tomography (CT). In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was necessary. Posterior C1–C2 or C1-C3 fixation with polyaxial screws and rod fixation was used. In postoperative, the patient is asked to put Philadelphia collar for 3 months. Hospitalization periods vary between 3 and 7 days. After discharge, all our patients are followed up regularly in consultation. Control radiographs of the occipito cervical region were performed. After 3 months postoperatively, the CT scan is performed on all our patients to assess the quality of fusion. Patient's follow-up ranges from 4 months to 6 years. Results: Fifteen patients were included in this study; nine males (60%) and six females (40%); with mean age of 32.5 years old. Ten patients (67%) presented motor weakness, three patients (20%) with neck pain, one patient (6.5%) with torticollis, and one patient (6.5%) presented vertigo. No notable cervical trauma was present in six patients (40%) and in nine patients (60%), a remote history of traumatism was noted. All cases of our series presented mobile OO. Normal thickness of the C2 pedicle was noted in nine patients (60%). In two patients (13%), there was hypoplasia of one pedicle and in four patients (27%) both pedicles. MRI showed direct signs of spinal cord aggression: simple compression, myelomalacia, strangulation, or hypotrophy. C1 lateral mass screw fixation was performed in all patients; and according to C2 morphology: nine patients underwent C1-C2 pedicular fixation, in one patient, bilateral crossing C2 laminar screws technique, in three patients, we skipped C2 to perform a C1-C3 articular fixation, and in two patients, C1-C2-C3 fixations were performed. All patients improved clinically. In one patient, we noted an infection resulting in bad wound healing this infection was successfully treated with no complications. In the patient with bilateral crossing C2 laminar screws technique, CT control objectified 4 mm exceeding of one screw; the patient was reoperated and the screw was slightly pulled back. No other complications were noted. Conclusion: Congenital origin of OO is always evoked. C1-C2 fixation according to Goel and Harms technique with grafting proved its safety, providing high fixation quality with the acceptable biodynamic outcome. Once treated, the prognostic of OO is in general good, and improvement is observed in most patients with few complications.
A Portable Traffic Counting, Speed Estimation, and Classification Terminal Using IR-UWB Radar

Because of the stable performance under any light and weather conditions, radar becomes one of the most important sensors for traffic flow surveillance in intelligent transportation system (ITS). This paper proposes a novel portable traffic counting, speed estimation, and classification terminal using impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) radar. The proposed terminal is lightweight, installed at the roadside, and potable. Moreover, it can only operate on a micro control unit of ARM Cortex-M7 with low-complexity signal processing approaches. Specifically, a vehicle detection and counting approach based on target location combined with trajectory tracking, a non-coherent speed estimation approach by exploiting the trajectory and prior geometric information, and a vehicle type classification approach based on four different attribute features are developed. Finally, experiment results show the improved performance of the proposed approaches.