Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field tests for antixenosis and tolerance of cocoa towards mirids

Field tests for antixenosis (feeding non-preference) and tolerance of cocoa trees to mirid damage were conducted as part of the CFC/ICCO/IPGRI Project, in the budwood garden of IRAD Nkolbisson Station. Antixenosis was assessed by counting the number of mirid bites on the flush after 24 hours, while assessment of tolerance was based on regular observations of the evolution of mirid damage and of the ability of twigs to recover from it. An analysis of covariance, with the surface area of the flush leaves as a covariable, revealed a highly significant effect of the clone on the number of mirid bites, and SIC 5 and CATONGO showed a stronger effect of antixenosis than the other clones. The results obtained by observing the evolution of mirid damage and the sprouting of twigs revealed that the ability of clones to contain the extent of damage, and their ability to recover from it must be considered as two distinct components of genetic resistance to mirid attack. The analysis of covariance also revealed a highly significant effect of clones for these two components. UF 676 and IMC 60 showed the best ability to contain the degree of damage, while PLAYA ALTA 2, ICS 1 and UF 676 were the best clones in terms of ability to recover from mirid damage. (Resume d'auteur)
Radio Frequency Antenna Designs and Methodologies for Human Brain Computer Interface and Ultrahigh Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are two powerful medical diagnostic techniques used for human brain studies. However, wired power connection is a huge impediment for the clinical application of BCI, and most current BCIs have only been designed for immobile users in a carefully controlled environment. For the ultrahigh field (≥7T) MRI, limitations such as inhomogeneous distribution of the transmit field (B1+) and potential high power deposition inside the human tissues have not yet been fully combated by existing methods and are central in making ultrahigh field MRI practical for clinical use. In this dissertation, radio frequency (RF) methods are applied and RF antennas/coils are designed and optimized in order to overcome these barriers. These methods include: 1) designing implanted miniature antennas to transmit power wirelessly for implanted BCIs; 2) optimizing a new 20-channel transmit array design for 7 Tesla MRI neuroimaging applications; and 3) developing and implementing a dual-optimization method to design the RF shielding for fast MRI imaging methods. First, three miniaturized implanted antennas are designed and results obtained using finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations demonstrate that a maximum RF power of up to 1.8 miliwatts can be received at 2 GHz when the antennas are implanted at the dura, without violating the government safety regulations. Second, Eigenmode arrangement of the 20-channel transmit coil allows control of RF excitation not only at the XY plane but also along the Z direction. The presented results show the optimized eigenmode could generate 3D uniform transmit B1+ excitations. The optimization results have been verified by in-vivo experiments, and they are applied with different protocol sequences on a Siemens 7 Tesla MRI human whole body scanner equipped with 8 parallel transmit channels. Third, echo planar imaging (EPI), B1+ maps and S matrix measurements are used to verify that the proposed RF shielding can suppress the eddy currents while maintaining the RF characteristics of the transmit coil. The contributions presented here will provide a long-term and safer power transmission path compared to the wire-connected implanted BCIs and will bring ultrahigh field MRI technology closer to clinical applications.
Centrifuge test of a clustered bucket foundation for offshore wind towers

This paper reports the results from a series of centrifuge model tests undertaken to provide insight into the behaviour of a clustered suction bucket foundation. Of particular interest was to compare the performance with that of a monopod foundation. The clustered foundation consisted of three buckets, spacing at 1.5 diameters centre to centre, and was fabricated based on the area equivalent principle i.e. the total plan area of the three buckets was approximately equal to the area of the corresponding monopod foundation. Horizontal load, combined with overturning moment load, was applied to simulate a loading condition that offshore wind towers typically withstand. The resisting performances of the clustered and monopod bucket foundations were evaluated and compared. The use of the clustered bucket foundation improved the resistance as much as 58%, with the efficiency decreasing with increasing rotation angle. et al., 2005; Gourvenec, 2007; LeBlanc et al., 2009; Zhu et al., 2011; Hung and Kim, 2012). Various factors such as water depth, soil conditions, fabrication facilities, installation equipment, and transport vessels should be taken into account in order to conceive a suitable foundation type. At some sites, bucket foundations may prove more economical. By comparison with traditional foundation systems, such as piles or massive concrete bases, large savings can be made on installation time and materials. The foundation may be monopod or tripod/ quadruped (i.e. may consist of 1∼4 individual buckets; Houslby and Byrne, 2000; Byrne and Houslby, 2003). For the former, the overturning load is applied directly to the single large foundation. In this case the bucket may be embedded solely in the sand and the foundation response to an overturning moment will be critical. For the latter, the overturning loads applied by the wind and waves are resisted predominantly by a ‘push-pull’ action, involving equal and opposite vertical loads at foundation level. In this design, the foundations are likely to be embedded in sand, and it will be the response of the foundation to vertical loads that is critical (Byrne and Houslby, 2003). This
Women’s Value in a Social Capital Context: a Net Present Social Value Analysis

Social capital is formed from individual abilities through the social investment that contributes to value creation where individuals feel a sense of membership and commitment through their social interactions and relationships. This study aims to explore the application of social capital to women's organizations. It further explores the net social value of women's organizations and the women members to determine social capital's role as a means for value creation. At these ends, the mixed method was employed by combining qualitative and quantitative data gathering approaches. The study used key informant interviews among 11 women's organizations in Baguio City and Benguet, where a total of 284 women members were interviewed. The result of the talks was subjected to semantic analysis and net present social value analysis. The results reveal that women's organizations reflect the dimensions of social capital and bring a significant contribution to members' lives. The findings imply that women members are duly recognized in their organizations, and each member expects to receive a positive value of the social benefit. Hence, women's organizations are the embodiment of social capital that contributes to women's value creation and empowers their members to maximize their capacities.
Airborne toxic exposure and pulmonary outcomes among petrochemical complex workers

Background Petrochemical workers are exposed to a variety of airborne toxic compounds which have been associated with increased risk for respiratory outcomes. However, long-term exposure to SO2, NO2, O3, H2S and NH3 in relation to spirometric parameters and self-reported respiratory problems is largely unknown. Methods Airborne concentration levels of SO2, NO2, O3, H2S and NH3 were collected from two fixed stations over a 3-year period in a petrochemical complex. We assessed spirometric parameters and respiratory symptoms in the petrochemical workers (n = 200) and in an unexposed group (n = 200). We calculated β-coefficients (β) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) before and after adjustment for covariates. Results The mean airborne pollution levels were 159 µg/m3 for SO2, 43 µg/m3 for NO2, 66 µg/m3 for O3, 6 µg/m3 for H2S, and 24 µg/m3 for NH3. We found a significant reduction in spirometric parameters among petrochemical workers compared to the unexposed: FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1s) (adjusted β -12; 95%CI -16, -7.64), FEV1/ FVC (forced vital capacity) (β -7.26; 95%CI -9.23, -5.28), and PEF (peak expiratory flow) (β -6.61; 95%CI -12, -0.76). Additionally, we observed higher adjusted risks for any respiratory symptom (OR 4.69; 95%CI 1.76, 12), mucus (OR 4.36; 95%CI 1.70, 11) and shortness of breath (OR 15; 4.95, 46) among petrochemical workers compared to the unexposed group. Conclusions Most measured airborne pollution levels were within the ambient recommendation levels. Still, long-term exposure to low level airborne pollutants, reduced FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF, and increased respiratory symptoms in Iranian petrochemical workers compared to unexposed controls.
Impact of Mass Media upon Juvenile Delinquency in Basra Central Prison and AL- Maqal Police Station

Aim: This study aimed to determine the impact of mass media upon juvenile delinquency in Basra Central Prison and AL- Maqal Police Station Subjects and Methods: A descriptive analytic study design was carried out at juvenile delinquency in Basra Central Prison and AL- Maqal Police Station from 3 rd February 2019 until 4 th April 2019 in AL-Maqal Police Station and 14 th April 2019 until 14 th May 2019 in Basra Central Prison. Non – probability (purposive) sample of 100 juveniles who were Basra Central Prison and AL- Maqal Police Station were selected. To know the impact of mass media upon juvenile delinquency using several measures are Content-based Media Exposure Scale (C-ME), International Self-Report Delinquency Questionnaire (ISRD), and Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior questionnaire (STAB) of 60 items of statements that measure impact mass media on juvenile’s behavior; and these statements are loaded into seven dimensions including social; psychological; ethical; political; economic; religious; and violent. Reliability of instrument was determined through the use of Alpha Cronbach approach and the instrument validity was determined through a panel of experts. The analysis of the data was used descriptive statistics frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). In order to assess the impact of mass media upon juvenile delinquency. Results : The findings of the present study reveal that indicate to high percentage unsatisfactory behavior (44%) in social and psychological status, (53%) in violent status, while impact upon ethical, political, economic and religious unsatisfactory behaviors have low than third, the total percentage of unsatisfactory behavior of all sample as (28.3%) . Conclusion: The study concluded that the unsatisfactory behavior level of (social, psychological, ethical, political, economic, religious, and violent) dimensions were moderate of juvenile delinquency.
Cell phone mobility data and manifold learning: Insights into population behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

As COVID-19 cases resurge in the United States, understanding the complex interplay between human behavior, disease transmission, and non-pharmaceutical interventions during the pandemic could provide valuable insights to focus future public health efforts. Cell-phone mobility data offers a modern measurement instrument to investigate human mobility and behavior at an unprecedented scale. We investigate mobility data collected, aggregated, and anonymized by SafeGraph Inc. which measures how populations at the census-block-group geographic scale stayed at home in California, Georgia, Texas, and Washington since the beginning of the pandemic. Using manifold learning techniques, we find patterns of mobility behavior that align with stay-at-home orders, correlate with socioeconomic factors, cluster geographically, and reveal sub-populations that likely migrated out of urban areas. The analysis and approach provides policy makers a framework for interpreting mobility data and behavior to inform actions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Backcalculation of Flexible Pavement Moduli from Falling Weight Deflectometer Data Using Artificial

The Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test is one of the most widely used tests for assessing the structural integrity of pavement systems in a nondestructive manner. A major limitation of existing techniques for backcalculating pavement layer moduli from FWD results is that they are computationally inefficient. This not only makes them tedious to use, it also constrains them to employ simplified static models of the FWD test that can be computed relatively quickly. Studies have shown that significant errors in the backcalculated pavement moduli can accrue from using a static model of what is inherently a dynamic test. The goal of this research was to develop a method for backcalculating pavement layer moduli from FWD data in real time. This was accomplished by training an artificial neural network to approximate the backcalculation function using large volumes of synthetic test data generated by static and dynamic pavement response models. One neural network was trained using synthetic test data generated by the same static, layered-elastic model used in the conventional backcalculation program WESDEF. That neural network was shown to be just as accurate but 2500 times faster. The same neural network was subsequently retrained using data generated by a elastodynamic model of the FWD test. The dynamic analysis provides a much better approximation of the actual test conditions and avoids problems inherent in the static analysis. Based on the amounts of time needed to create the static and dynamic training sets, a conventional program would likely run 20 times slower if it employed the dynamic model. The processing time of the neural network, on the other hand, is unchanged because it was simply retrained using different data. These artificial neural networks provide the real-time backcalculation capabilities needed for more thorough, more frequent, and more cost-effective pavement evaluations. Furthermore, they permit the use of more-realistic models, which can increase the accuracy of the backcalculated moduli.
Immunogenicity analysis of conserved fragments in Plasmodium ovale merozoite surface protein 4

Background: An effective vaccine to control and eradicate malaria, one of the most serious global infectious diseases, is an urgent need. Plasmodium merozoite surface protein 4 (MSP4) has been listed as a blood-stage subunit vaccine candidate for malaria. Plasmodium ovale infection is also a source of malaria burden in tropical regions where it is sometimes mixed with other Plasmodium species. However, little is known about P. ovale MSP4. Methods: The msp4 gene was amplified through polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA extracted from blood samples of 46 patients infected with P. ovale and then sequenced. Open reading frames predicted as immunogenic peptides consisting of 119 and 97 amino acids of P. ovale curtisi MSP4 (PocMSP4) and P. ovale wallikeri MSP4 (PowMSP4), respectively, were selected for protein expression. Recombinant proteins (rPoMSP4) were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, analyzed, and immunized in BALB/c mice. The specificity of anti-MSP4-immunoglubulin (Ig) G antibodies was evaluated by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and cellular immune responses were analyzed via lymphocyte proliferation assays.Results: Full peptide sequences of PocMSP4 and PowMSP4 were completely conserved in all clinical isolates, except in the epidermal growth factor-like domain at the carboxyl terminus where only one mutation was observed in one P. ovale wallikeri isolate. Furthermore, we successfully expressed the truncated pocmsp4 and powmsp4 and purified as ~32 kDa proteins. Our results showed that PocMSP4 and PowMSP4 induced high antibody responses with end-point titers ranging from 1:2,560,000 to 1:10,000 in all immunized mouse groups and with high IgG avidity to PocMSP4 (80.5%) and PowMSP4 (92.3%). Furthermore, rPocMSP4 and rPowMSP4 cross-reacted with anti-PowMSP4-specific or anti-PocMSP4-specific antibodies. Additionally, anti-PoMSP4 IgG antibodies showed broad immuno-specificity in reacting against rPoMSP1 and rPoAMA1. Lastly, PocMSP4- and PowMSP4-immunized mice induced cellular immune responses with PocMSP4 (36%) and PowMSP4 cells (15.8%) as observed through splenocyte proliferation assays. Conclusion: Our study suggested conservation in PoMSP4 protein sequences with high immunogenicity. Furthermore, PocMSP4- and PowMSP4-immunized mice induced cellular immune responses, suggesting that both humoral and cellular immune responses play crucial roles in the protection against any antigen.
Evaluation of the safety benefits of legacy safe routes to school programs

This study first examined the feasibility of conducting a crash-based assessment of the safety effects of legacy Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. These were SRTS programs operating before the passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) that was signed into law on August 10, 2005. A design was developed for collecting detailed classification data on a sample of legacy SRTS programs in order to create a profile of their operations. This classification data also provided a basis for examining pedestrian and bicycle crash data for elementary school children (age 4 to 12) on the school trip. Detailed information including school calendars and bell times was collected on 130 legacy SRTS programs. The State Data System (SDS) crash files maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were used to conduct three case studies of States containing the largest subsets of these 130 programs. The results for each State showed a significant trend in which the numbers of 4- to 12-year-old pedestrians and bicyclists involved in crashes during the school trip at the SRTS focus sites decreased over time. Similar trends were shown for the same age group and approximate school trip times at the State level in all three studied States. There was either no decrease or inconsistent patterns in the crash involvements of pedestrians and bicyclists of ages other than 4 to 12. The developed profiles of the legacy SRTS programs show heterogeneous motivations and goals as well as a wide range of program size and funding sources. Few programs included any systematic evaluation of outcomes other than changes in school trip mode. The crash results strongly suggest that, because of the significantly declining crash involvements, legacy SRTS programs could not have caused a pedestrian or bicycle safety problem due to increased exposure. Although this study was not capable of reaching a definitive conclusion with respect to SRTS safety effects, the findings are suggestive that legacy SRTS programs may have contributed to improved pedestrian and bicycle safety. A replication of the study approach focusing on SRTS programs generated by SAFETEA-LU would be needed to determine whether this study’s findings would remain valid for the SAFETEA-LU SRTS programs.
Patterns of Mental Healthcare Provision in Urban Areas: A Comparative Analysis for Informing Local Policy

ObjectiveUrbanisation presents specific challenges for the mental wellbeing of the population. An understanding of availability of existing service provision in urban areas is necessary to plan for the needs of people with mental illness in these contexts to identify gaps in care provision and inform policy and planning. This study aims to provide an analysis of the availability and diversity of mental health care in urban areas in Australia , and compare it with benchmark areas in Europe (Finland and Spain) and South America (Chile). MethodDESDE-LTC, an instrument for service classification and description of services providing long term care was used to analyse and compare service provision in Australia (Australian Capital Territory (ACT)), to other urban areas in Australia (Western Sydney, Perth North and South East Sydney) and to benchmark areas in other countries (Spain, Finland and Chile), using a standard healthcare ecosystems approach. Services from all relevant care sectors were calculated per 100,000 adults.ResultsWe identified commonalities in the pattern of mental health care in urban regions in Australia when compared to urban regions internationally, as well as gaps in care provision common to all study areas.ConclusionThese results highlight the relevance of an ecosystems approach to service planning in mental health care at the local level, and the use of a standardised instrument able to provide valid comparisons. There is a need for models of care sensitive to mental health care ecosystem indicators.
Synthetic 2018 data report of the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis and Home Hemodialysis Registry (RDPLF)

The RDPLF was created in 1986 and collects the main data of peritoneal dialysis of French patients and of various French-speaking countries. The database is structured in several modules: a compulsory core module including a follow-up of comorbidities, assistance, infections, survival, transplantation, and optional modules following more specific aspects: nursing, catheter, anemia, nutrition, heart failure. In addition, since 2012 patients treated at home in hemodialysis are also followed. This article presents a summary of the main characteristics of patients in the RDPLF in 2018. It highlights important differences in practices and patient profiles between francophone countries. Daily low dialysate flow rate hemodialysis is predominant in the new centers and sometimes begins to appear as a transitional mode that allows home maintenance for patients who cannot continue on peritoneal dialysis.
Socio-Ecological and Livelihood Assessment of Selected Coastal Areas in Sorsogon, Philippines

A study was conducted to assess the productive capacity of five villages namely Gimagaan, Sevilla, Sogoy, Milagrosa and Saclayan in Sorsogon, Philippines. Specifically, it aimed to assess the productive resource base, resource use and livelihood patterns and provide management prescriptions in the transition of farms into organic agriculture. Sustainable livelihoods analysis and participatory rapid appraisal were the analytical frameworks used in the study. Result of the study revealed that Gimagaan village had the greatest access to asset capitals compared to the other four villages in Sorsogon, Philippines. Gimagaan village highly benefited from the presence of socio-civic and government organizations, residents are more socially inclined and actively involved in the various social activities, have generally good access to their natural resource stocks and infrastructure facilities. On sustainability assessment, results revealed that Milagrosa village was more capable of sustaining management systems of its natural resources, highly resilient against perturbations and had greater chances of improving capacities for social development enterprises. Saclayan village on the other hand, had the lowest access to asset capitals and lowest score in terms of sustainability indicators. Management prescriptions include introduction of farming and fishing technologies which do not require intensive capital; conduct of an in-depth study of fishery-based livelihood project; strengthening the establishment of community-based sanctuaries and mangrove areas; introduction of crop-diversification farming system; and strengthening of the production-market linkage for fishery-based livelihood projects.