Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exhaustive Search of Correspondences between Multimodal Remote Sensing Images Using Convolutional Neural Network

Finding putative correspondences between a pair of images is an important prerequisite for image registration. In complex cases such as multimodal registration, a true match could be less plausible than a false match within a search zone. Under these conditions, it is important to detect all plausible matches. This could be achieved by an exhaustive search using a handcrafted similarity measure (SM, e.g., mutual information). It is promising to replace handcrafted SMs with deep learning ones that offer better performance. However, the latter are not designed for an exhaustive search of all matches but for finding the most plausible one. In this paper, we propose a deep-learning-based solution for exhaustive multiple match search between two images within a predefined search area. We design a computationally efficient convolutional neural network (CNN) that takes as input a template fragment from one image, a search fragment from another image and produces an SM map covering the entire search area in spatial dimensions. This SM map finds multiple plausible matches, locates each match with subpixel accuracy and provides a covariance matrix of localization errors for each match. The proposed CNN is trained with a specially designed loss function that enforces the translation and rotation invariance of the SM map and enables the detection of matches that have no associated ground truth data (e.g., multiple matches for repetitive textures). We validate the approach on multimodal remote sensing images and show that the proposed “area” SM performs better than “point” SM.
Establishment of Adenomyosis Organoids as a Preclinical Model to Study Infertility

Adenomyosis is related to infertility and miscarriages, but so far there are no robust in vitro models that reproduce its pathological features to study the molecular mechanisms involved in this disease. Endometrial organoids are in vitro 3D models that recapitulate the native microenvironment and reproduce tissue characteristics that would allow the study of adenomyosis pathogenesis and related infertility disorders. In our study, human endometrial biopsies from adenomyosis (n = 6) and healthy women (n = 6) were recruited. Organoids were established and hormonally differentiated to recapitulate midsecretory and gestational endometrial phases. Physiological and pathological characteristics were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. Secretory and gestational organoids recapitulated in vivo glandular epithelial phenotype (pan-cytokeratin, Muc-1, PAS, Laminin, and Ki67) and secretory and gestational features (α-tubulin, SOX9, SPP1, PAEP, LIF, and 17βHSD2 expression and SPP1 secretion). Adenomyosis organoids showed higher expression of TGF-β2 and SMAD3 and increased gene expression of SPP1, PAEP, LIF, and 17βHSD2 compared with control organoids. Our results demonstrate that organoids derived from endometria of adenomyosis patients and differentiated to secretory and gestational phases recapitulate native endometrial-tissue-specific features and disease-specific traits. Adenomyosis-derived organoids are a promising in vitro preclinical model to study impaired implantation and pregnancy disorders in adenomyosis and enable personalized drug screening.
Prevalence of Subclinical Keratoconus in Children with Astigmatism in Iraq

Background: Keratoconus is a progressive ectatic corneal pathology that involves both eyes, its usually asymmetrical, its early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the prevention of ocular morbidity that usually happen if it's not treated. Aim: To detect the prevalence of subclinical keratoconus and keratoconus suspect in children with the astigmatic error of ≥2 Diopters in Diwaniya city, Iraq. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study, which investigates all the children aged six to eighteen years with an astigmatic error of ≥2 Diopters who attended the ophthalmology department for a routine eye examination during the period from January 2020 to June 2021. All children underwent full eye examination and corneal imaging study with a modern set which is a pentagram with Scheimpflug technology. Results: we had 488 children participated in our study, the Mean age of participants was 12.01 ± 1.24 (range 6–18) years, 255 children were males (52.2%) and 233 were female children (47.7%) and they were divided into 2 age groups: first one between 6 and 12 years 225 children ( 46.1%) the second one between 12 to 18 years include 263 children (53.8%). We found 21 children with subclinical keratoconus ( 4.3% ) and 24 children were keratoconus suspects ( 4.9% ). Conclusion: the prevalence of keratoconus whether subclinical or suspect among the children with astigmatism who enrolled in our study was relatively high, the use of modern imaging technique tests is vital in the diagnosis.
Multivariate modeling application to determine the behavior of picloram in soils: a laboratory trial

ABSTRACT Knowledge about herbicide-soil interactions is essential for the safe use of these products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of multivariate discriminant analysis to predict the picloram sorption and desorption capacity of soils and to determine soil groups based on the risk of environmental contamination. Physicochemical properties of 17 soils were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). Thereafter, the soils were grouped by cluster analysis (CA). Discriminant analysis (DA) was used to determine the efficiency of the clusters. The CA generated three groups of soils, and the coefficients of sorption (Kfs) and desorption (Kfd) were 2.85 and 4.29 for G1, 0.93 and 11.71 for G2, and for G3, 0.36 and 30.76 mg1−1/n L1/n kg−1, respectively. The similarity of soil physicochemical properties in each group resulted in similar picloram sorption and desorption coefficients. Clay, organic matter, pH, and sum of bases showed the greatest influence on the sorption and desorption of picloram. Grouping soils by PCA and CA based on soil physicochemical properties is an alternative approach to determine the risk of environmental contamination by picloram in agricultural areas.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTERPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF FAMILY OWNED ENTERPRIES IN NAIROBI COUNTY.

Small and Medium Family Owned Enterprises (SMFEs) are the engines of economic development through job creation and poverty reduction in any nation. Currently, the SMFEs sector in Kenya contributes over 70% of the country’s GDP. This is in spite of the challenges surrounding this vital sector including low performance as compared to non family enterprises, high mortality rate especially after the founder exits, lack of finances among others. The study seeks to establish the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and small and medium family owned enterprises performance in Kenya. The specific objectives are to find out the role of innovativeness, risk taking and proactiveness in the performance of family owned enterprises in Kenya. Parker’s Theory of Proactiveness and Schumpeter’s theory of innovation were the theoretical framework for this study. Cross sectional survey design was adopted. The study population was the manufacturing family owned enterprises registered by Kenya Association of Manufacturers based in Nairobi City County. The respondents were the Founders, C.E. Os, Directors and Managers of the firms. Data was collected using a questionnaire and the quantitative data was analyzed by calculating the response rate with descriptive statistics such as mean, statistical deviation and proportion using Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21 and Microsoft Excel. Inferential data analysis was carried out by the use of factor correlation analysis to determine the strength and the direction of the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. A regression model was fitted and hypothesis testing carried out using multiple regression analysis. Results of the study revealed a positive and significant relationship between innovativeness, risk taking and proactiveness on firm performance.
Calibrating Carbonization Temperatures of Wood Fragments Embedded within Pyroclastic Density Currents through Raman Spectroscopy

The study of the structural order of charcoals embedded in pyroclastic density currents provides information on their emplacement temperature during volcanic eruptions. In the present work, a set of charcoals from three distinct pyroclastic density currents deposits whose temperatures have been previously estimated by charcoal reflectance analyses to lie between 250 °C and 550 °C, was studied by means of Raman spectroscopy. The analyses reveal a very disordered structural ordering of the charcoals, similar to kerogen matured under diagenetic conditions. Changes in Raman spectra at increasing temperatures reflect depolymerization and an increase of aromaticity and can be expressed by parameters derived from a simplified fitting method. Based on this approach, a second order polynomial regression with a high degree of correlation and a minimum error was derived to predict paleotemperatures of pyroclastic deposits. Our results show that Raman spectroscopy can provide a reliable and powerful tool for volcanological studies and volcanic hazard assessment given its advantage of minimum samples preparation, rapid acquisition processes and high precision.
Effect of Neuro-Developmental Treatment versus Passive Stretching Exercises on Spastic Diplegic Cerebral palsy for Improving Posture: A Research Protocol

Background: Cerebral Palsy can be defined as a cluster of disorders acting on a person’s movement, posture, and balance. Cerebral Palsy, which affects 2 to 3 out of every 1000 live births, is caused by a variety of factors, including brain injury which can affect movement, posture, and balance. It’s linked to the perinatal period in about 92% of cases. Premature birth, perinatal infections, intrauterine growth restrictions, multiple gestations, and other risk factors are all factors to consider. This disorder prevents normal motor function Development. This protocol was developed to describe the design of an interventional study for the evaluation of the effect of Neuro-developmental treatment with conventional therapy and Passive Stretching with conventional therapy on improving posture in diplegic spastic Cerebral Palsy patients. Methods: Participants (n=70) with spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy who meet the included criteria will be hired for the study. Patients in group A will receive Neuro-Developmental treatment and conventional therapy, while patients in group B will receive Passive Stretching with conventional therapy. The Treatment protocol will last 6 weeks. Regular evaluations will take place. The Modified Ashworth Scale and the Gross Motor Function Classification System are going to be used to assess our progress. Discussion: The intervention’s efficacy will be assessed by analyzing gross motor functions with the help of Gross Motor Function Classification System and spasticity level using Modified Ashworth Scale. Study and analysis will significantly support the use of Neuro-Developmental treatment with conventional therapy and Passive Stretching in conjunction with conventional therapy in Cerebral Palsy patients.
Track Pairs Collision Detection with Applications to Ship Collision Risk Assessment

The port waterway network plays an important role in the organization and management of port ship traffic. Due to limited ship operations, conflicts, congestion, and safety issues often arise in port waters. Conflicts between ships can be predicted by collision detection between ships. A novel collision detection algorithm for trajectory pairs is proposed by introducing variable time interval variables. In addition, to improve the overall accuracy of trajectory compression and reduce redundant calculation in collision detection, a multi-factor Douglas-Peucker algorithm adapted to ship trajectory compression is proposed with the consideration of speed and turn constraints. The maximum speed difference of the algorithm is increased by 1.5–2.5%, and the average speed difference increased by 2.0–4.5%. Based on the method mentioned above, the risk assessment framework of maritime collision is established and the risk situation of the waters near Ningbo Zhoushan Port is evaluated and analyzed by using ship historical track data.
Ramifications of Setup Margin Use During Frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Therapy With Gamma Knife Icon Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): A Dosimetric Study

Objective The objective is to explore the possibility of optimal/rational application of setup margin during treatment planning for frameless stereotactic Gamma Knife radiosurgery/therapy. Methods Uncertainty measurements for frameless Gamma Knife Icon treatment were used to calculate the necessary setup margin via four different published recipes and these margins were subsequently applied to treatment plans of 30 previously treated patients and replans were generated meeting comparable plan quality metrics. All plans were then analyzed based on the ability to maintain normal tissue dose tolerances and the relative increase in target dose coverage probability using a pass/fail scoring system based on published normal tissue dose constraints and an in-house developed optimal scoring method. Results Gross tumor volume/planning target volume (GTV/PTV) size strongly correlated with both meeting normal tissue tolerances and optimal scores for single fraction plans corroborating published clinical outcomes. The Van Herk Margin Formula (VHMF) and Parker margin formulae were indicated as good candidates for high probabilities of both meeting normal tissue goals and high optimal scores which generally translated to just over 1 mm in GTV to PTV margin. Conclusion For single fraction treatment, GTV size is highly significant in predicting failure to meet normal tissue goals whereas whether setup margin was used was not a significant predictor. Setup margin can rationally be applied when fraction number is dictated by clinically indicated metrics regarding GTV size of greater or less than 4 cc. 1 mm is a reasonable practical application of margin added to GTV to ensure physical prescription dose target coverage for most cases when clinically desired based on disease type and intended outcome.
Extreme Air Temperatures at the Southwestern Slope of Pirin Mountain (Bulgaria) and Related Synoptic Conditions

The article examines the occurrence of extremely cold and extremely warm days as an indicator of environmental changes in the Pirin Mountain (Bulgaria). The study is based on hourly air temperature data recorded by an automatic weather station. By averaging the hourly data, daily values are calculated. The occurrence of extremely cold and extremely warm days during the period 2015–2018 for January, April, July and October are analyzed. Extreme temperature days are determined by threshold values for the 10th and 90th percentiles. Characteristic synoptic situations related to the manifestation of extreme temperatures are presented. As a result of the research it was established that the advections of air masses are the leading factor for the occurrence of extreme temperatures. In addition very important for the extremely low temperatures is the high air pressure over the Balkan Peninsula.
On the Resolution‐Dependence of Anvil Cloud Fraction and Precipitation Efficiency in Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium

Tropical anvil clouds are an important player in Earth's climate and climate sensitivity, but simulations of anvil clouds are uncertain. Here we identify and investigate one source of uncertainty by demonstrating a marked increase of anvil cloud fraction with resolution in cloud‐resolving simulations of radiative‐convective equilibrium. This increase in cloud fraction can be traced back to the resolution dependence of horizontal mixing between clear and cloudy air. A mixing timescale is diagnosed for each simulation using the cloud fraction theory of Seeley, Jeevanjee, Langhans, and Romps (2019) (https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL080747) and is found to scale linearly with grid spacing, as expected from a simple scaling law. Thus mixing becomes more efficient with increasing resolution, generating more evaporation in middle and lower tropospheric updrafts. This decreases their precipitation efficiency (PE), thereby increasing their overall mass flux, leading to greater detrainment at the anvil level and hence higher anvil cloud fraction. The decrease in PE also yields a marked increase in relative humidity with resolution.
Climate change-related risks and adaptation potential in Central and South America during the 21st century

Climate-related risks in Central and South America have received increased attention and concern in science and policy, but an up-to-date comprehensive review and synthesis of risks and adaptation potential is currently missing. For this paper we evaluated over 200 peer-reviewed articles and grey literature documents published since 2012. We found that climate change in Central and South America during the 21st century may increase the risk to severe levels for the following topical risk clusters: (a) Food insecurity; (b) Floods and landslides; (c) Water scarcity; (d) Epidemics of vector-borne diseases; (e) Amazon Forest biome shift; (f). Coral bleaching; (g) Coastal risks of sea level rise, storm surges and erosion; (h) Systemic failure due to cascading impacts of hazards and epidemics. Our synthesis also identified feasible adaptation measures for each risk. The impacts of the risks will be heterogeneous throughout the region, with rural communities, Indigenous peoples, Afro-Latin Americans, women, disabled people, and migrants identified as being the most severely affected. We refer to a number of adaptation options for each risk. However, unabated climate change together with low adaptive capacity will strictly limit adaptation options. Immediate strengthening of policies for building adaptive capacity and increase of research on the risk-adaptation nexus in Central and South America are paramount. Our findings might contribute to guide the adjustment and emphasis of adaptation policies and climate risk management strategies from local to national level.
Analysis of Mixed Methods Graduate Thesis Studies in Special Education Programs in Turkey

This research aims to analyze mixed methods graduate thesis studies completed between 2010 and 2020 in special education programs in Turkey. The literature scan has yielded 26 studies. A qualitative research method, analytical research design has been employed in this study. Research data has been obtained from documents – namely the graduate thesis studies – and analyzed through content analysis carried out following fundamental stages of mixed methods research as proposed in the literature. These stages served as themes in this study: 'Determining the research aim and research questions', 'Selecting a mixed methods research design', 'Explaining the rationale for the mixed methods approach', 'Sampling', 'Collecting the data', 'Analysing the data', 'Integrating, interpreting and reporting the data', 'Researcher competencies and roles' and 'Ethics'. The limitations observed in the methodology and reporting of the thesis studies have suggested that the quality standards of mixed methods research are not reflected on the studies. These limitations include confusion in terminology, lack of explanation as to why the method and the design have been employed, restricted validity and reliability, and lack of integration through blending quantitative and qualitative data. In summary, despite the increase in the number of mixed methods research studies in special education has contributed to the field, it is still debatable whether the philosophical perspective behind the method and its strong suits can be reflected on the studies.
Recombinant HBsAg of the Wild-Type and the G145R Escape Mutant, included in the New Multivalent Vaccine against Hepatitis B Virus, Dramatically Differ in their Effects on Leukocytes from Healthy Donors In Vitro

Immune-escape hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants play an important role in HBV spread. Recently, the multivalent vaccine Bubo®-Unigep has been developed to protect against both wild-type HBV and the most significant G145R mutant. Here, we compared the effects of recombinant HBsAg antigens, wild-type and mutated at G145R, both included in the new vaccine, on activation of a human high-density culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro. The antigens were used either alone or in combination with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). None of the antigens alone affected the expression of CD40, HLA-DR or CD279. Wild-type HBsAg enhanced CD86 and CD69 expression, and induced TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ, regardless of the anti-HBsAg status of donor. In the presence of PHA, wild-type HBsAg had no effect on either of the tested surface markers, but increased IFN-γ and IL-10 and inhibited IL-2. In contrast, the G145R mutant alone did not affect CD86 expression, it induced less CD69, and stimulated IL-2 along with lowering levels of TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ. The G145R mutant also suppressed PHA-induced activation of CD69. The dramatic differences in the immune responses elicited by wild-type HBsAg and the G145R mutant HBsAg suggest distinct adaptive capabilities of the G145R mutant HBV.
Physicochemical Changes of Commercial “Kounou” During Short Term Storage at Room and Refrigerated Temperatures

Fermented cereal-based drinks as “kounou” are among the most popular indigenous beverages in Northern Cameroon. Because they are made in a primitive way, they are ready to be served while still actively fermenting. Therefore, some physicochemical properties of “kounou” were tested in the current study during 4 days of storage at room and refrigerated temperatures. Samples of “kondourkou” a sub type of “kounou” were purchased from local producers located in the Far North region of Cameroon. During storage at 28 ± 2°C and 4 ± 1°C, total sugars, pH, total acidity, alcohol content, total soluble solids, dry matter, total dissolved solids, and conductivity of samples were measured in triplicate using standards procedures. The results showed that pH decreased from 3.34 to 3.16, and 3.65 to 3.4 after storage at room and refrigerated temperatures, respectively. The decrease in total sugar (30.3%-12.1%) and soluble solids (7.26-4.89°Brix), as well as increase in titratable acidity (0.26%-0.36%) were significant for samples stored at ambient temperature. While no significant changes in all these parameters were revealed for samples stored at cold conditions (54.8%-37.9%; 8.79-8.13°Brix and 0.18-0.25%, respectively). Dry matter and total dissolved solids were lower in samples stored at room temperature (from 10.3-11.2% and 841.9-1002 mg/L, respectively) than those kept under refrigeration (from 12.15 to 12.5% and 1061.2-1231.7 mg/L, respectively). Alcohol content and conductivity were respectively in the range of 3.5-2.35% and 1692.4-2012.5 mg/L for samples stored at room temperature, and 3.18-3.37% and 1692.4-2205 mg/L for those kept under refrigeration. Principal component analysis revealed that samples stored under refrigeration were structured in two sub-cluster, the first formed by those stored for 1 and 2 days and the second including those kept for 3 and 4 days. While samples left at room temperature were separated into three sub groups, those stored for a day, 2 and 3 days, and 4 days. Finally, it would be appropriate to consume refrigerated “kounou” as well as commercialize and/or store it under refrigeration.