Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparing two pediatric sleep questionnaires: The Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and a set of 6 hierarchically arranged questions (6Q)

ABSTRACT Objective To compare the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and a less time-consuming set of 6 hierarchically arranged questions (6Q) as they relate to the pre-test probability for sleep apnea in pediatric patients. Methods Parents of 116 subjects between the ages of 7 and 17 answered two sleep questionnaires (the PSQ and the 6Q) distributed in random order before the subjects had sleep studies. Correlation coefficients were used for apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) prediction, while the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for sleep apnea classification prediction. Results The 6Q showed statistical significance, while the more commonly used PSQ did not, both in terms of correlating with AHI (rho = 0.294, p = 0.001) and predicting moderate and severe sleep apnea (AUC = 0.650 and 0.788, respectively). Conclusion Although additional field validation is required, these pediatric sleep questionnaires are sensitive and easy-to-use screening tools that can greatly help in the screening for pediatric sleep apnea.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of Citrus tristeza virus in Cuba

The spatiotemporal dissemination of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) was evaluated by DASI-ELISA in orange and grapefruit fields of six citrus producing regions in Cuba, and aphid populations were evaluated in two selected areas. The aphid species found in these areas were Toxoptera citricida (the most efficient vector of CTV), T. aurantii and Aphis spiraecola. A logistic model was the most appropriate to explain the temporal increase in the proportion of CTV-infected plants for almost all the fields. Although nearly all areas showed an increase in this proportion, there were regions of low CTV spread, which was slower in grapefruit than in orange fields. 2DCORR analysis indicated spatial dependence among immediately adjacent trees, higher in the within-row direction than in the across-row direction. Aggregation was also detected by dispersion index and binary power law fitting within quadrats of all sizes. For most fields, autocorrelation analysis showed a significant edge effect and spatial dependence among infected plants of different sub-areas. Based on these results a new tristeza management strategy was proposed for each region of the country.
CONTENT BASED IMAGE RETRIEVAL TECHNIQUES FOR RETRIEVAL OF MEDICAL IMAGES FROM LARGE MEDICAL DATASETS – A SURVEY

: In this computing era, data are represented as images that are to be processed for retrieval. Need for high accuracy in retrieval made this area more challenging. Content Based Image Retrieval system uses features of query image with that of an existing database image set for retrieval using precision and recall ratio. Features of images include color, shape, texture, etc. Techniques for retrieval include histogram, wavelength transformation, statistical methods, Euclidean distance, etc. Color feature though forms the fundamental image feature for retrieval techniques, other features are also considered to be more important and necessary as they play vital role in retrieval process. Many programs and tools have been developed to formulate and execute queries. CBIR researchers need to improve precision rate (accuracy), that lead to variation of search ranges and search object increment. This in turn brought about the combination of two or more features for efficient retrieval. Together with features, today’s research is highly concentrated on image set with large varied databases, documents of differing sorts and with varying characteristics that have high social implications. The image set can be motion or motionless. Earlier research concentrated on motionless images in CBIR while motion images are also considered in recent years. This paper presents the literature survey on recent medical image retrieval techniques.
The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences and their Associations with Engagement in Risky Behaviors for HIV Infection among Adults in the United States

In the United States (US), approximately 1.2 million people are living with HIV/ AIDS, while 50,000 individuals are being infected each year [1]. Risky behaviors that put people at higher risk for HIV infection and transmission include sharing needles or syringes, condom less sex, the exchange of sex for drugs or money, and the contraction of other sexually transmitted diseases [2]. The HIV epidemic in the US has impacted some groups more than others. These key affected populations can be grouped by transmission category but also by race and ethnicity, with African Americans having significantly higher rates of HIV infection over white Americans [3]. For example, African Americans accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections in 2014 despite comprising only 12% of the population [7]. At the end of 2014, an estimated 471,500 African Americans were living with HIV, which accounted for 43% of the total number of people living with HIV [8]. HIV also disproportionately affects the Hispanic/Latino community. In 2015, Hispanic/Latino people accounted for 24% of new diagnoses of HIV in the US, despite only representing approximately 18% of the population [9]. This disparity is influenced by a complex set of economic and socioeconomic factors, including discrimination, stigma, poverty and a lack of access to care [3]. Abstract
An Iterative SISO Improved Complex Sphere Detection and Decoder for Turbo-MIMO Systems

An iterative soft-input soft-output (SISO) improved complex sphere detection and decoder algorithm is proposed for signal detection in Turbo-MIMO system. It forms candidate points set Θ in terms of an accumulated cost function based on a search arc constrained by the received signals. Then, the candidate points subset, the lower cost bound of which is not smaller than upper bound, is fathomed and dropped from further consideration. Meanwhile, once a new feasible candidate point is turned up, the path closest to completion is casted upon to generate the set Θ with optimal candidate vectors, aiming to determining the extrinsic information for a Turbo coded bit with most likelihood. Bridged by de-multiplexing and multiplexing, an SISO improved complex sphere detection is concatenated with a SISO Log maximum a posteriori Turbo decoder as if a principal Turbo detection is embedded with a subordinate Turbo decoder, exchanging each other’s detection and decoding soft-decision information iteratively. As a result, the proposed algorithm converges rapidly, which results in lower computational complexity. The transfer curves that relate the input mutual information to the output mutual information is achieved through simulations. Thus, an asymptotic interval of the input SNR threshold for the proposed scheme to converge has been observed. Finally, an upper bound of the diversity has been obtained based on the intuitional deduction and theoretical analyses. The simulation results also show that the proposed scheme has a strong ability of anti-multi-stream interference, and its performance is close to that of the iterative soft-input soft-output list complex sphere detection and decoder algorithm, but with a shorter time delay.
A STUDY ABOUT ANTHELMINTIC EFFECT OF PUNICA GRAMATUM L BARK ON VETERINARY ENDOPARASITES

Objective: The present research was performed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of Punica gramatum L plant bark on veterinary endoparasites. Method: We used 4 methods to extract the bark of Punica gramatum L plant, including using water, water and heat, water with previous soak in NaOH 5 % and water with previous soak in CH3COOH 5 %. Those solutions then were tested with animal endoparasites, including porcine ascarids, porcine cestodes, chicken ascarids and chicken trematodes at the concentrations of 20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 %. Their anthelmintic activity was evaluated through the lethal time by which the treatment of extracts induced the death of tested parasites. Result: bark of Punica gramatum L plant possesses anthelmintic efficacy with animal endoparasites. All of extracts at 5 % were able to kill 100% of experimental parasites within the tested time (360 minutes). Extraction with CH3COOH 5 % had the best effect, with the shortest necessary treatment time in all of tested concentrations with 4 experimental endoparasites. Conclusion: Punica gramatum L plant bark has in vitro anthelmintic on porcine ascarids, porcine cestodes, chicken ascarids and chicken trematodes, and follow-up researchs are necessary to assess the in vivo effect.Key words: Â Punica gramatum L, bark, extract, anthelmintic effect, endoparasites Â Â
Microhabitat preferences of Veigaia mollis Karg, 1971 in the mountain reserve ëSzczeliniec Wielkií

During this study, 289 specimens of Veigaia mollis were found in the mountain reserve eSzczeliniec Wielkii (Sudetes, SW Poland). Density of this species varied from 21 to 646 ind. /m 2 . In all tested plots, its density increased in August in cowberry microhabitats.
The Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC) study: Strengths of international data linkage

IntroductionAdults released from incarceration experience complex physical and mental health problems, and are at markedly increased risk of preventable death. Despite this, not enough is known about the granular epidemiology of mortality in this population to inform development of targeted, evidence-based responses. Objectives and ApproachWe created the Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC), a multi-disciplinary collaboration from 12 countries representing 30 cohorts of adults with a history of incarceration. The combined sample size is 1,210,168, with 58,840 deaths recorded over 8,261,743 person-years of follow-up time. In this protocol paper, using a two-step, individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDM-A) methodology involving 22 MARIC cohorts, we calculated 1) a crude mortality rate (CMR; with 95% confidence intervals) for each individual cohort over the first 84 days (12 weeks) following release; and 2) a combined, meta-analysed CMR for the same period. ResultsOf 1,704,208 individual releases, we observed 4,018 deaths over the first 84 days. The overall CMR over the first 84 days after release was 1610.97 deaths per 100,000 person-years (95% CI: 1263.4 - 1958.5). The rate was highest on the day of release (5768.0; 95% CI: 3296.5 - 8239.4), which was significantly higher than on days 4-84. Conclusion/ImplicationsAdults released from incarceration were at an acutely increased risk of death on the day of release, and this risk remained elevated for at least the first 12 weeks. The MARIC study will provide decisive and empirical evidence to guide clinicians and policy makers in reducing mortality in this marginalized
Differential physio-biochemical responses to cold stress of cold-tolerant and non-tolerant grapes (Vitis L.) from China.

There are many grape species exhibiting differences in cold tolerance in China. ‘Zuoshan1’ (Vitis amurensis Rupr. cv. Zuoshan1), one kind of the most cold tolerant grapes, can endure −40 to −50 °C, whereas, ‘Maoputao’ (Vitis quinqanguoari Rehd. cv. Maoputao) is sensitive to the cold stress. To understand the physiological mechanism, we investigated responses of both species to a range of decreasing temperatures under the controlled condition. The cold-tolerant ‘Zuoshan1’ showed higher accumulation of abscisic acid than non-tolerant ‘Maoputao’, which was correlated with a more dramatic increase in solutes including sugars, proteins at early stage of our detection. At latter stages, these solutes showed more decline in ‘Zuoshan1’. Meanwhile, earlier leaf yellowing and necrosis of ‘Zuoshan1’ were detected with concomitant decrease in the chlorophyll (Chl) content along with remarkable increase in electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde, which indicated that the earlier leaf senescence occurred to ‘Zuoshan1’. Based on the leaf morphology and parameter investigation, it was concluded that cold-tolerant grape ‘Zuoshan1’ made quicker responses to the low temperature (LT), indicating it sensed the cold-signal more strongly than the non-tolerant grape ‘Maoputao’. Therefore the ability to take more active response to cold stress contributes to the higher tolerance in ‘Zuoshan1’.
Stable-carbon isotope composition of Poaceae pollen: an assessment for reconstructing C3 and C4 grass abundance

Plants using the C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways differ in carbon-isotope composition, and this difference offers a means to estimate the relative abundance of these two functional groups in the palaeorecord. We report here results of a study aiming to evaluate pollen δ13C(δ13Cp) of Poaceae (the grass family) as a proxy indicator for palaeoecological studies. On average δ13Cp differs by ∼ 13- between modern C3 (-22.6 to - 26.8) and C4 (-9.2 to -17.7) grass species. δ13Cp is 1.2-3.7 more negative for modern grass pollen treated with the same protocol as for fossil samples than for untreated modern samples. δ13Cp ranges from -20.1 to -25.4 for grass pollen in the middle-Holocene sediments from West Olaf Lake, located near the modern tallgrass prairie forest ecotone in western Minnesota. We applied a two end-member mixing model to estimate fluctuations in C3 and C4 grass abundance around this lake. Both C3 and C4 grasses expanded relative to Ambrosia and Artemisia with the decline of aridity from 8000 to 4000 BP. C3 grasses were generally more abundant than C4 grasses throughout the middle Holocene, suggesting the presence of mixed-grass prairie around West Olaf Lake. The grass δ13Cp-based estimates of C4 plant abundance were lower than charcoal δ13C-based estimates, probably reflecting different source areas of pollen and charcoal. Grass δ13Cp also revealed greater submillennial-scale variability in C3 and C4 abundance than charcoal δ13C. These results suggest that grass δ13Cp can provide palaeoenvironmental information not available from other proxy indicators.
Anatomy and phylogenetic value of the mandibular and coronoid canals and their associated foramina in proboscideans (Mammalia)

Characters associated with the mandibular canal are differently distributed amongst proboscidean lineages and provide useful information on the systematics and relationships of proboscideans. The aim of this paper is to describe the pattern of the mandibular canal and its associated foramina in proboscideans in order to fully appreciate the extent of interspecific variation of these structures within the group and to discuss its systematic and phylogenetic value. Outgroup comparison indicates that the condition presented by the basal proboscidean Phosphatherium is morphotypic for proboscideans. Primitive proboscidean characters are: the low position of the mandibular foramen, and its crescent-shaped outline, the occurrence of a coronoid foramen (canal), the occurrence of two lateral mental foramina, the posterior one at the level of (or slightly behind) the posterior margin of the symphysis, the anterior one in a more distal position, the absence of a medial mental foramen (MMF), the mandibular canal set just below the tooth row. The occurrence of a single lateral mental foramen may represent a shared derived character of Daouitherium, Numidotherium, and Barytherium. A unique derived feature of the Elephantinae mandible is the occurrence of a medial mental foramen on the medial side of the incisive part of the mandible. MMFs have never been observed in other proboscideans excluding elephantines. The very high frequency of MMFs observed in Mammuthus meridionalis–Mammuthus trogontherii–Mammuthus primigenius (>93 per cent of the studied specimens) could be considered a synapomorphy of this group. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161, 391–413.
A Study on the Chalcidoid (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) Parasitoids of Leafminers (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Ankara Province

The objective of this study was to determine parasitoids attacking leafminers (Agromyzidae: Diptera) in Ankara province. Seven parasitoids species belonging to the Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea) were found. These species were Diglyphus iseae (Walker), D. chabrias (Walker), Neochyrsocharis formosa (Westwood), N. arvensis Graham, Pediobius acantha (Walker), Chrysocharis sp. and Hemiptarsenus sp. Of these, D. isaea, N. formosa and N. arvensis were found to be the most common parasitoids of leafminers. Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Chromatomyia horticola (Goureau) and Phytomyza lappae Goureau putatively appeared to be the host species. However, parasitoids were only reared from the first two species. The last species from which no parasitoid was reared is a new record for Turkish fauna.
Fungal communities on submerged wood from streams in Brunei, Hong Kong, and Malaysia

Fungi on submerged wood in streams are a diverse group, comprising taxa from various families. Fungal communities on submerged wood collected from Sungai Sitam in Brunei, Tai Po Kau Forest Stream in Hong Kong, and from a stream in Lipur Lentang Nature Reserve in Malaysia are reported. One hundred and forty-seven taxa were recorded. A higher species diversity including temperate and tropical species was recorded in Tai Po Kau Forest Stream in the subtropics. Ascomycetes and their asexual stages were dominant in tropical and subtropical freshwater habitats, while discomycetes were rare in these habitats. Distinct fungal communities are found on submerged wood in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions and these are discussed. Including the fungi identified in this study, over 1000 fungi has been recorded from freshwater habitats.
The Genera Thyasira and Parathyasira in the Magellan Region and Adjacent Antarctic Waters (Bivalvia: Thyasiridae)

ABSTRACT This study provides a revision of the Magellanic and Antarctic species of Thyasira and Parathyasira. The status of all species previously reported from the area is revised and a new species described. Five species are recognized as valid: Thyasira falklandica (Smith, 1885); Thyasira scotiana, n. sp. ; Thyasira debilis (Thiele, 1912), new combination; Parathyasira magellanica (Dall, 1901), new combination; and Parathyasira dearborni (Nicol, 1965), new combination. Cryptodon fuegiensis Dall, 1890, previously reported under the genus Thyasira, is reallocated into Conchocele Gabb, 1866. Loripes pertenuis Smith, 1881, and Thyasira bongraini Lamy, 1911, are considered nomen dubia.
Total neoadjuvant therapy with short course radiation compared to concurrent chemoradiation in rectal cancer.

486 Background: Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT), or delivery of all radiation and chemotherapy prior to surgery, has improved complete response and downstaging rates compared to adjuvant therapy in patients with rectal cancer. Data regarding the use of short course radiation in the setting of TNT (SC-TNT) are limited. This study compares the pathologic complete response rate (pCR), Neoadjuvant Rectal (NAR) Score – a validated predictor of outcome based on tumor downstaging, and recurrence rates for patients receiving SC-TNT versus chemoradiation (CRT). Methods: Patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy followed by total mesorectal excision for Stage II or III rectal cancer from 2009 to 2018 were included in this retrospective cohort study. CRT recipients (50-55Gy/25-28 fx with concurrent 5-FU or capecitabine) comprised one cohort; the other included SC-TNT recipients (25-35Gy/5 fx followed by CAPOX or FOLFOX chemotherapy). The primary outcome of pCR rate was assessed in univariate analysis; the secondary outcome of NAR score was calculated and categorized as “Low” ( < 8), “Intermediate” (8–16), and “High” ( > 16). Finally, recurrence rates were measured and classified as local, distant, or both. Results: Of 388 eligible patients, 236 (60.8%) were treated with CRT and 152 (39.2%) underwent SC-TNT. On univariate analysis, the SC-TNT cohort had more advanced disease (77% Stage III disease vs. 67%, p = 0.04) and longer elapsed time between radiation completion and surgery (Median 131 vs. 63 days; p < 0.01). SC-TNT achieved a numerically higher pCR rate compared to CRT (25.0% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.16). Odds of achieving a “low” NAR Score trended higher among the SC-TNT cohort (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.96 – 2.31). Recurrence rates were also similar (14.3% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.87) over comparable follow-up (CRT = 30.5 months [IQR 11.1 – 49.0]; SC-TNT = 22.3 months [IQR 10.8 – 61.0]; p = 0.82). Conclusions: SC-TNT yielded a pCR rate of 25% and overall recurrence rate of 14.9% among patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Short course radiation with neoadjuvant multiagent chemotherapy is at least as effective as long-course CRT. [Table: see text]
Farmers’ Access to Certified Wheat Seed and its Effect on Poverty Reduction in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the majority of farmers do not have access to certified seed. The main objective of the current study was to identify and analyze the factors that influence the extent of farmers’ access to certified seed and assess its impact on household income, food security, and poverty levels in Pakistan. For the study, a comprehensive data set was collected through a field survey in major wheat-producing areas of Pakistan in 2012. In total, 367 wheat (Triticum aestivum) growers were interviewed. The data were analyzed by employing econometric models including a propensity score-matching approach, which was used to correct for potential sample selection bias that may arise because of systematic differences between the farmers with access, and those without access to certified wheat seed. Levels of education, ownership of agricultural equipment and related assets, wealth and income levels of farmers were positively associated with the adoption of certified seed. Access to bank credit, distance to and from seed stores and markets also influenced farmers’ decisions to adopt certified seed. The empirical results indicated that farmers who had access to certified wheat seed were able to achieve higher crop yields, higher income, and lower poverty as compared to farmers having no access to certified wheat seed. As wheat is a food-security crop, the household food security levels were quite high. The policy implications of the current study are that farmers’ access to certified wheat seed needs to be increased to increase wheat yield and household income, and to decrease the poverty levels; increasing the wheat yield is of paramount importance to feed the population of Pakistan, which is growing at 1.8% per annum.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: What Crucial Information can Imaging Add to the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis?

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, with many distinct subtypes having extremely different presentations, biological aggressiveness, and response to therapy. Triplenegative breast cancer is a subtype with significant clinical implications because of its poor prognosis and aggressive behavior. It has distinct imaging features, often presenting as a mass with typically benign features on mammography and ultrasound and more suspicious findings on magnetic resonance imaging. Triple-negative breast cancer also has unique treatment limitations, with these cancers lacking molecular therapeutic targets expressed by other breast cancer subtypes. Fortunately, Triple-negative breast cancer is very responsive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is the mainstay of treatment for these patients. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer are more likely to achieve pathologic complete remission, which is associated with improved survival. Despite this, patients with triple-negative breast cancer have an overall poorer prognosis compared to other subtypes, especially in the first few years after diagnosis. As this subtype accounts for up to one-fifth of all breast cancer cases, a thorough understanding of the unique imaging features of triple-negative breast cancer, as well as the role of imaging in predicting response to therapy and long term patient prognosis, will allow all involved clinicians to more effectively care for these patients.