Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Indocyanine Green Lymphography Patterns after Physical Treatment in Secondary Upper Limb Lymphedema

Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to evaluate the lymphatic function before and after pneumatic compression or post-manual lymphatic drainage. The aim of this study was to ascertain the changes in the fluoroscopic pattern produced by the provision of complex physical therapy. This prospective analytic (pretest-posttest) study was conducted in 19 patients with upper lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Nine patients were excluded due to ICG found after 3 weeks. The ICG patterns were analyzed under basal conditions and after three weeks of treatment. After the treatment, 45% of the patients presented tracer remains in the affected limb, and this finding was significantly related to time of the lymphedema development. In one subject, the patterns remain unchanged or cannot be defined. Three of the ten patients observed present the worsening of at least 1 of the patterns and in the rest of the subjects, six cases, the improvement of the patterns is observed. In 60% of the cases, the most severe pattern reversed towards slight (splash) cases, and moderate cases reversed towards a slight case in 70% of cases. Therefore, after treatment with complex physical therapy, the pathological patterns observed in the pretest, which evolved positively, reverted their severity toward milder disease patterns or towards normality.
Person and Number in Pronouns: A Feature-Geometric Analysis

The set of person and number features necessary to characterize the pronominal paradigms of the world's languages is highly constrained, and their interaction is demonstrably systematic. We develop a geometric representation of morphosyntactic features which provides a principled explanation for the observed restrictions on these paradigms. The organization of this geometry represents the grammaticalization of fundamental cognitive categories, such as reference, plurality, and taxonomy. We motivate the geometry through the analysis of pronoun paradigms in a broad range of genetically distinct languages.
The Effect of a Hall Thruster-like Magnetic Field on Operation of a 25-A class Hollow Cathode

: The effect of applying a Hall thruster-like magnetic field to a 25-A class hollow cathode is experimentally characterized. Cathode parameters such as discharge voltage, discharge and keeper oscillation magnitudes, and ion voltage spectra were measured as the magnetic field applied by a Hall thruster simulator was varied. The simulator approximated the centerline topology of NASA’s Hall Effect Rocket with Magnetic Shielding (HERMeS) Hall thruster and produced peak centerline magnetic field strengths up to 325 G. For the nominal xenon flow rate of 14.7 sccm, increasing the peak centerline magnetic field from 0 G to 325 G increased the discharge voltage from 20 V to 40 V and the cathode orifice plate temperature increased from 934 ºC to 981 ºC. In addition, the extent of the ion voltage distribution function tail increased from 50 V to 175 V. Despite these changes, oscillations of the discharge voltage, discharge current, and keeper voltage all remained quiescent at values below 1 V, 5 A, and 1.5 V respectively. The implications of these results on existing cathode operational mode definitions, component-level cathode testing, and operation in a Hall thruster are discussed.
Assessing the Development of Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI)

Spatial data plays a vital role in developmental activities, whether natural resource management or socio-economic development. Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) facilitate access, sharing and dissemination of spatial data necessary for complex decision-making processes of the future. Thus, conducting SDI assessment is essential to guide its development, to monitor and improve its quality and to provide evidence of accountability for all stakeholders. Knowledge of the development status of SDI of a country is crucial to increase the accountability and development of spatial data information. In Kenya, there are many organisations both public and private that are involved in spatial data production, use and dissemination to meet needs of the geo-information community. However the developmental status of Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI) is unknown. This paper aims at evaluating the development of SDI-initiative in Kenya with an aim of contributing to the enhancement of SDI development to realise its fundamental objectives. Then explore the level to which Kenya is prepared to attain an operational SDI, expose best practices, identify main problems, and review the way forward. Three assessment approaches of multi-view assessment framework were adopted. They are; SDI-Readiness index, Modified state of play and Organisational aspects. Data collection was by interview and questionnaire surveys from 13 KNSDI stakeholders sampled purposively from the following categories; academia, NGOs, public and private sector, civil society, international organisations and government. Document analysis and internet search supplemented data collection. The results indicate that development of KNSDI and implementation in Kenya is ad hoc and fragmented. This paper identified funding sustainability, awareness for SDI and all-inclusiveness communication as major aspects of Kenya NSDI that need to be addressed. The paper suggests that Kenya NSDI secretariat should work towards resolving the identified obstacles by: i) Sustained funding through increased budgetary allocation from the central government and other alternative sources of funding like open source services and cost recovery on geo-information products. ii) Bottom up approach through awareness creation about importance of spatial data for sustainable development. Keywords: Spatial data infrastructure, Kenya NSDI, development, assessment, multi-view assessment framework, approaches
University of Groningen Frailty in mouse ageing

Human life expectancy has increased dramatically in the last century and as a result also the prevalence of a variety of age-related diseases and syndromes. One such syndrome is frailty, which is defined as a combination of organ dysfunctions leading to increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. In humans, frailty is associated with various biomarkers of ageing and predicts relevant outcomes such as responses to therapies and progression of health status and mortality. Moreover, it is relatively easy to assess. To foster translation of mechanistic understanding of the ageing process and, importantly, of interventions that may extend healthy lifespan, frailty scales have been reverse translated into mice in recent years. We will review these approaches with a view to identify what is known and what is not known at present about their validity, reproducibility and reliability with a focus on the potential for further improvement. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Demersal Assemblages on the Soft Bottoms off the Catalan-Levante Coast of the SpanishMediterranean Mariano Garcı́a-Rodrı́guez

The analysis of 255 bottom trawl samples obtained in annual experimental surveys (2007–2010) along the western Mediterranean shows the existence of five well-defined demersal assemblages that follow a depth distribution: (a) upper shelf assemblages, including two assemblages differentiated by the type of substrate (sand-muddy and terrigenous muddy bottoms); (b) a middle shelf assemblage; (c) an upper slope assemblage; (d) a middle slope assemblage. Faunally, they are dominated by fish (37% of 452 total species), followed by crustaceans (22%), molluscs (17%), echinoderms (9%), and other invertebrates (15%). The assemblages identified showed major alterations on the shelf and shelf edge and less pronounced ones on the upper and middle slope. The average diversity values were more or less high, evidencing the high species richness in the western Mediterranean. The identified assemblages may facilitate future multispecies fisheries management based on an ecosystem approach.
Public infrastructure, employment and sustainable growth in a small open economy with and without foreign direct investment

Abstract The paper builds a theoretical model of endogenous growth motivated by the recent Indian paradox of an improving GDP growth rate in the face of unsatisfactory employment growth rate. The source of the problem is believed to be inadequate growth of manufacture for the absorption of unskilled or semi-skilled labour in rural sectors. The paper studies the impact of free trade on employment and GDP growth in a small, developing economy in the absence as well as presence of foreign direct investment. The model also recognizes the importance of public infrastructure accumulation to support the growth process. The results indicate that free trade with or without a corresponding free inflow of foreign capital into the manufacturing sector has a positive impact on employment and GDP growth. However, the beneficial effect is stronger in the presence of foreign capital. Foreign and domestic capital grow at equal rates in equilibrium.
DAILY ACTIVITY OF A NEOTROPICAL RODENT (OXYMYCTERUS NASUTUS): SEASONAL CHANGES AND INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Abstract We investigated daily activity patterns of the long-nosed mouse (Oxymycterus nasutus) in a high-elevation grassland field in southern Brazil. We censused the animals every other month from June 2001 to May 2002, determining capture time with digital timing devices attached to traps. Activity patterns were markedly diurnal and did not differ between sex or age classes. Captures were more frequent just after sunrise and just before sunset. Daily activity was strongly influenced by ambient light, with animals showing seasonal changes in their activity time according to day length but with some activity at night. Nocturnal captures were positively related with night brightness measured in log lm/m2 (logistic regression; odds ratio = 1.76, P < 0.001). Temperature positively influenced the probability of capture of O. nasutus during daylight hours (quadratic regression; r2 = 0.76, d.f. = 11, P < 0.001), with the highest predicted capture probability at 3–6°C and a sharp reduction above 21°C. Although diurnal activity has been reported for other Oxymycterus species this is the 1st study to rigorously quantify diurnal activity of a neotropical rodent in the field. O. nasutus apparently showed a more strictly diurnal pattern than described for other congeners.
The effects of brassinosteroid on the induction of biochemical changes in Lycopersicon esculentum under drought stress

Drought stress is considered a restricting factor for plant products; therefore many compounds were applied to minimise the harmful effects of stress. One type of these compounds that have antioxidative characteristics is brassinosteroids. In this experiment, when 4 fully expanded leaves of tomato plants appeared, 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) was sprayed onto the leaves at 0.01 and 1 μM concentrations for 3 days with a 1-day interval. Three levels of drought stress (0, 3, and 5 days withholding water) were applied. Thereafter, the effects of brassinosteroids and water stress were investigated on some biochemical and antioxidative parameters of tomato plants. Lipid peroxidation, peroxide hydrogen, and proline content increased in plants subjected to drought stress. Reduction in protein content in drought conditions showed that drought stress affected protein synthesis and degradation. Decline in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (POD and APX) and increases in the SOD, GR, and CAT activities were observed in drought stressed plants. Reduction in peroxidation of lipids and H2O2 content in the plants treated with both 24-EBL and drought stress was observed. Based on our results it seems that brassinosteroids considerably alleviated oxidative damage that occurred under drought stress. Increase in activity of antioxidant enzymes (POD, CAT, APX, GR, and SOD) and change in isoenzymes pattern with higher intensity as well as increases in proline and protein content in drought stressed plants treated with BR will probably show the role of brassinosteroids in increased tolerance of plants to water stress. Therefore, 24-epibrassinolide may have a role in the mitigation of damage caused by water stress.
Bayesian Fused Lasso Regression for Dynamic Binary Networks

ABSTRACT We propose a multinomial logistic regression model for link prediction in a time series of directed binary networks. To account for the dynamic nature of the data, we employ a dynamic model for the model parameters that is strongly connected with the fused lasso penalty. In addition to promoting sparseness, this prior allows us to explore the presence of change points in the structure of the network. We introduce fast computational algorithms for estimation and prediction using both optimization and Bayesian approaches. The performance of the model is illustrated using simulated data and data from a financial trading network in the NYMEX natural gas futures market. Supplementary material containing the trading network dataset and code to implement the algorithms is available online.
The likeability of populism on social media in the 2018 Italian general election

This article focuses on the controlled communication that the main Italian political leaders – Silvio Berlusconi, Luigi Di Maio, Pietro Grasso, Giorgia Meloni, Matteo Renzi, Matteo Salvini – published on their Facebook profiles during a period of four weeks before the election day. Taking the 2018 Italian general election campaign as an illustration, this article aims at clarifying whether and to what extent populist communication on Facebook differ from non-populist communication in terms of volume and success. Facebook was selected as the source, since digital politics and social media are becoming increasingly relevant for both political parties and citizens. The article shows that messages containing populist claims have more success (i.e. more ‘likes’) compared to non-populist messages. It also shows that populist posts against the elites or the immigrants are the largest ones, while the more successful ones are those that combines these latter elements with the appeal to the people.
Large Carpenter Bees as Agricultural Pollinators

Large carpenter bees (genus Xylocopa) are wood-nesting generalist pollinators of broad geographical distribution that exhibit varying levels of sociality. Their foraging is characterized by a wide range of food plants, long season of activity, tolerance of high temperatures, and activity under low illumination levels. These traits make them attractive candidates for agricultural pollination in hot climates, particularly in greenhouses, and of night-blooming crops. Carpenter bees have demonstrated efficient pollination service in passionflower, blueberries, greenhouse tomatoes and greenhouse melons. Current challenges to the commercialization of these attempts lie in the difficulties of mass-rearing Xylocopa, and in the high levels of nectar robbing exhibited by the bees.
Faking Resistance of a Quasi-ipsative Forced-Choice Personality Inventory without Algebraic Dependence

This short research note reports on a study on the robustness of a quasi-ipsative forced-choice (FC) personality inventory for controlling the effects of faking. A sample of 126 active managers was randomly divided in three independent groups, with 42 individuals per group. We used an experimental three-group design in which the independent variable was the instructional set (faking, neutral, and honest), and the dependent variables were the scores in the Big Five personality dimensions. The results showed that the average effect sizes were . 01, -. 02, and 0 for the comparisons among fakinghonest, faking-neutral, and neutral-honest groups. These findings showed that the quasi-ipsative FC format with algebraic non-dependence among the scales is a very robust way of controlling faking. We recommend practitioners to use this technology for making personnel ion decisions.
Mutational analysis of the PLCE 1 gene in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Mutational analysis of the PLCE1 gene in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome Olivia Boyer, Geneviève Benoit, Olivier Gribouval, Fabien Nevo, Audrey Pawtowski, Ilmay Bilge, Zelal Bircan, Georges Deschênes, Lisa M Guay-Woodford, Michelle Hall, et al.
Total antioxidant activity (TAA) of bell pepper during prolonged storage on low temperature.

Bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) is a vegetable known for its antioxidant content, highly important for its nutritional values. The total antioxi- dant activity (TAA) of pepper fruits is measured by TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity). This assay measures both the hydrophilic (HAA) (vitamin C) and lipophilic (LAA)(carotenoids and vitamin E) contents based on the total radical scavenging capacity and the ability of a scaverenge the stable ABTS radi- cal (ABTS + ) described by Vinocur and Rodov (2006). Fruit were cleaned and dis- infected with hot water by rinsing and brushing (HWRB) at 55°C as it is described by Fallik et all . , (1999). Tap water wash was served as control. Fruit were stored at 2°C or 7°C during 3 weeks plus 3 days at 20°C (shelf life simula- tion).
Managament of immunosuppression in kidney post transplantation

When histocompatibility differences exist between donor and recipient, it is necessary to modify or suppress the immune response in order to enable the recipient to accept a graft. Immunesuppressive therapy, in general, suppresses all immune responses, including those to bacteria, fungi and even malignant tumors. In the 1950s when clinical renal transplantation began, sublethal total body irradiation was employed. Currently immunosuppression is more safely induced pharmacologically. Agents used in humans to suppress the immune response are discussed in our paper.
Board of Director's Attributes and Earning Management: Evidence from Egypt

Board of directors play a vital role in controlling agency problem between shareholders and managers arise due to earnings management. This paper examines the roles of independent members on the board, chief executive officer who also serves as a chairman of the company (hereinafter called CEO duality), board size on earnings management practices. After controlling for size, leverage and growth, we found discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management is positively related to the existence of CEO duality, and negatively related to board size. Also, examination of the data shows that the ratio of independent board members is not significantly related to earnings management. The findings of this paper will be of interest to investors in the Egyptian stock market. This paper also provides many recommendations to the regulatory authorities in Egypt regarding ways to strengthen and reinforce the Board of Director’s Attributes of companies
Determinants of the remitting behaviour of Romanian emigrants in an economic crisis context

The remittances of international migrants are particularly important for Romania as one of the top European emigration countries and an important remittance recipient country as well. Responding to the need to better understand the determinants of remittances, our paper examines the significance of selected economic, social and demographic factors that impact on the remittance behaviour of Romanian international migrants, as characterized by the propensity to remit and the amount remitted. The present work builds on a new database of 1514 Romanian migrants from 52 destination countries, resulting from our 2010 online survey. One of the main findings is the fact that the remittances are strongly affected by migrant’s income, return intention and presence of the spouse in the destination country.
Relationship between Fruit Soluble Solid Content and the Sucrose Concentration of the Phloem Sap at Different Leaf to Fruit Ratios in Tomato

Tomato fruits accumulate most of their solid contents during rapid fruit development. The balance of water transport to assimilate transport into fruits during that stage is an important factor that determines the final solid content of fruits at harvest. In this study, the relationship of sucrose concentration of the phloem sap to the solid content of rapidly growing fruits was investigated. At the anthesis of the second truss, the stem just above the first truss was heat-girdled, while newly emerging leaves above the second truss were pinched regularly to diminish cross translocation of carbohydrates between the source-sink unit, consisting of the second truss and three leaves below, and other parts of the plant. The leaf to fruit ratio (LFR) as the number of leaves per fruit of this isolated source-sink unit was manipulated at the fruit set of the truss. When LFR was increased from 0.2 to 1, fruit dry weight increased linearly from 3.5 to 7 g, but it saturated beyond the LFR of 1. By contrast, the contents of dry matter and soluble sugars on a fresh weight basis increased linearly within the whole range of LFR from 0.2 to 3. The sucrose concentration of the phloem sap, collected from the pedicel by the modified EDTA method, also increased as LFR increased, and a positive correlation was observed between sucrose concentration of the phloem sap and the contents of dry matter and total soluble sugars. These data suggested that solid content can be increased in a wide range of LFR in proportion to the sucrose concentration of the phloem sap.
Difficulty and Discrimination Indices of Logical-Choice Weight and Confidence Scoring Methods on Chemistry Multiple Choice Test in Nigeria Secondary Schools.

This study determined which of the Confidence Scoring Method (CSM) and Logical-choice Weight Method (LWM) of scoring Chemistry objective tests is more reliable and valid. This was with a view in enhancing the Discrimination and Difficulty indices of Chemistry objective test for authentic assessment. The population comprised all Senior Secondary School Students in Osun State. A sample of 280 SSSII Chemistry Students was selected from 14 schools that were selected from the 30 local governments including Modakeke-Ife Area Council in Osun State using multistage sampling technique. The instruments used were Chemistry Multiple-choice Test types A and B (CMTA and CMTB). The 40-items Chemistry multiple-choice test was administered on the students in each school, on two scoring methods group. The students in CSM and LWM were told how they would be scored following their responses to the test items and were accordingly marked and scored. Data collected were analyzed using t-test statistics. Result of the analyses revealed that a significant difference existed between CSM and LWM in the discrimination indices (t = 6.18, p 0.05) with CSM (S = 0.768) and LWM (S =0.870). It was concluded that CSM could be used to authentically assess Chemistry student’s performance with a view to identify students with genuine learning difficulties, thereby improving curriculum evaluation and instruction. Key Words: Discrimination Indices, Difficulty indices, Objective test, Learning Difficulties, Confidence Scoring and Logical-choice Weight.