Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Different Retinal Imaging Modalities in Predicting Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Survey

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a devastating condition caused by progressive changes in the retinal microvasculature. It is a leading cause of retinal blindness in people with diabetes. Long periods of uncontrolled blood sugar levels result in endothelial damage, leading to macular edema, altered retinal permeability, retinal ischemia, and neovascularization. In order to facilitate rapid screening and diagnosing, as well as grading of DR, different retinal modalities are utilized. Typically, a computer-aided diagnostic system (CAD) uses retinal images to aid the ophthalmologists in the diagnosis process. These CAD systems use a combination of machine learning (ML) models (e.g., deep learning (DL) approaches) to speed up the diagnosis and grading of DR. In this way, this survey provides a comprehensive overview of different imaging modalities used with ML/DL approaches in the DR diagnosis process. The four imaging modalities that we focused on are fluorescein angiography, fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA). In addition, we discuss limitations of the literature that utilizes such modalities for DR diagnosis. In addition, we introduce research gaps and provide suggested solutions for the researchers to resolve. Lastly, we provide a thorough discussion about the challenges and future directions of the current state-of-the-art DL/ML approaches. We also elaborate on how integrating different imaging modalities with the clinical information and demographic data will lead to promising results for the scientists when diagnosing and grading DR. As a result of this article’s comparative analysis and discussion, it remains necessary to use DL methods over existing ML models to detect DR in multiple modalities.
The development and validation of an Army team resilience measure

ABSTRACT Given the demanding nature of its mission, the collective units of the Army, not just individual Soldiers, need to be able to withstand and adapt to a wide range of challenges. Therefore, it is important to be able to effectively assess resilience at the team-level and to understand the factors that can enable or diminish it. This article describes the development of a construct valid and psychometrically-sound measure of team resilience – the Team Resilience Scale (TRS). A theoretical framework of team resilience and related constructs is introduced. We then summarize the procedures for developing the TRS and related constructs, providing evidence of the content validity of the TRS. Finally, we assess the psychometric soundness and construct validity of the TRS in two Army field studies. Our analyses support the convergent validity of items and indicate that the measure can be used to examine three first-order dimensions of resilience (i.e., physical, affective, and cognitive) or as a single overall resilience composite. Results show the TRS was positively related to team performance in both samples and it co-varied with stressors and team actions. Practical recommendations for use of the measure and suggestions for future research are offered.
Evaluation of the Osteogenic Efficacy of Low Level Laser on Immediate Dental Implant

Aim: this study aims to evaluate the clinical effect of low level laser on immediate dental implant stability, as well as the osteogenic efficacy on immediate dental implant through radiographic evaluation of marginal bone loss and biochemical assessment of osteoprotegerin (OPG) level in GCF around implant. Subjects and methods : twenty patients having isolated hopeless teeth indicated for extraction followed by immediate dental implant placement following phase I therapy were classified into two groups, Group I: received extraction of the desired teeth combined with immediate dental implants placement, and Group II: received extraction of the desired teeth combined with immediate dental implants placement followed by applications of low level laser. Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at base line, 3 and 6 months post treatment and biochemical assessment of OPG level in GCF base line, 2,4,12 weeks. Results: The use of Low Level Laser (LLL) seemed to be an effective adjunctive therapy in improving probing depth, marginal bone level and osteoprotegrin (OPG) level around immediately placed dental implant. Conclusion: LLL therapy is safe and effective methods for stimulation of Osseo- integration around dental implant
Influence of defects on damage tolerance of Metal-Injection-Molded β titanium alloys under static and dynamic loading

The β titanium alloys are key materials in lightweight and biomedical applications, due to the combination of excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties. However, the Binder-based Powder Technologies such as Metal-Injection-Molding (MIM), Binder-Jetting and Fused-Filament-Fabrication, normally introduce three major processing-related defects in the as-sintered Ti-parts: (i) residual porosity, (ii) high impurity level and (iii) coarse-grained structure. The previous studies revealed that these processing defects invariably tend to be even more severe in β titanium alloys than in α/β Ti-6Al-4V alloy, all fabricated by powder metallurgical route. In this work, these processing defects and their likely origins in MIM β titanium alloys are analysed. Furthermore, the influence of these defects on damage tolerance and fracture mechanisms of MIM β titanium alloys under either static or dynamic loading is investigated. Based on the studies, strategic technical improvements in the processing to improve the reliability of MIM β titanium alloys products are proposed.
Time pressure in scenario-based online construction safety quizzes and its effect on students’ performance

ABSTRACT Online quizzes have been shown to be effective learning and assessment approaches. However, if scenario-based online construction safety quizzes do not include time pressure similar to real-world situations, they reflect situations too ideally. The purpose of this paper is to compare engineering students’ performance when carrying out an online construction safety quiz with time pressure versus an online construction safety quiz without time pressure. Two versions of an online construction safety quiz are developed and administered to randomly assigned engineering students based on a quasi-experimental post-test design. The findings contribute to scenario-based learning and assessment of construction safety in four ways. First, the results confirm earlier findings that ‘intrinsic stress’ does not seem to impair students’ performance. Second, students who carry out the online construction safety quiz with time pressure are less likely to ‘learn by trial and error'. Third, students exposed to time pressure appreciate that they become better prepared for real life. Finally, preparing students to work under time pressure is an important industry requirement. The results of this study should encourage engineering educators to explore and implement ways to include time pressure in scenario-based online quizzes and learning.
Promoting SMEs in Pacific Island Countries Through Effective Marketing Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review and a Future Research Agenda

This study provides the first systematic review of the different marketing strategies used for promoting SMEs in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Literature published in high-ranked management journals was reviewed in this area using PRISMA guidelines published between 2000 to 2020. The study identifies three major marketing communication strategies useful for SMEs in the PICs: digital marketing strategies, market orientation strategies and experience based marketing strategies. Further, this study includes a detailed future research agenda under these three major themes. The digital marketing strategies are divided further into social media marketing strategies, blogs, and company websites. Market orientation strategies were categorised as the role of infrastructure development and the role of innovation. The experience-based marketing is another marketing strategy to attract customers (Nair & Chelliah, 2012a). For example, it is identified through the literature that PICs can focus more on cultural festivals and cruise ship markets.
Morphological and mechanical characterization of the Al-4032/granite powder composites

The main motive of this paper is to prepare a newer composite material using non-conventional reinforcement (industrial waste) for various industrial applications. The aluminium alloy (Al-4032) matrix based composites (AMCs) have been fabricated through bottom pouring stir casting method. The granite powder (GP, ceramic particles) obtained from waste (normally available from construction site) has been used as reinforcement, at 0, 3, 6, 9 % by weight. The particle size of the reinforcement has been up to 54μm. The morphological (microstructure, SEM, XRD) and mechanical (tensile strength, micro-hardness, impact strength) characterization of the AMCs have been carried out. The morphological study reveals that the reinforcement particles (GP) are almost uniformly distributed throughout the matrix phase. The mechanical properties of the AMCs have been observed to be better than the unreinforced alloy. It is expected that the fabricated Al-4032-GP composites will be useful for the automobile parts like piston, disc brakes, high speed machinery and high-speed rotating parts etc.
Comparison of the Outcomes of Cadexomer Iodine and Povidone-Iodine Ointments in Wound Management

Background In this era of upcoming newer formulations of topical ointments in the market, selecting an appropriate topical ointment for managing ulcers is challenging with regards to granulation tissue promotion, ulcer size reduction, and decrease in the amount of discharge from the ulcer. This study compares the outcomes of two topical iodine formulations, namely, cadexomer iodine ointment (0.9%) and povidone-iodine ointment (5%), for the management of various types of ulcers. Methodology This prospective, interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. After screening, 40 patients with ulcers (venous, arterial, diabetic, traumatic, infective) were subjected to simple randomization based on computer-generated random numbers at a ratio of 1:1 for the application of cadexomer (n = 20) (Group A) and povidone-iodine ointment (n = 20) (Group B). Selected patients were subjected to broad-spectrum antibiotics on admission and then shifted to special antibiotics based on the culture and sensitivity report of the wound. The application of these two formulations was done in three settings, each lasting 48 hours. The efficacy of these two formulations was assessed based on the following three parameters: (a) the percentage of granulation tissue promotion, (b) wound size reduction, and (c) decline in wound discharge. The study groups were compared using an unpaired t-test, while the association among the study groups was performed using Fishers’ test, Student’s t-test, and chi-square test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results Significant improvement (p < 0.05) in granulation tissue was observed with cadexomer ointment application compared to povidone-iodine ointment. Statistically significant reductions in ulcer size and discharge from ulcers were seen in both groups; however, clinically, cadexomer ointment was found to be more effective compared to povidone-iodine ointment in reducing ulcer size as well as in reducing the amount of discharge from ulcers. Conclusions Cadexomer iodine ointment proved to be better than povidone-iodine ointment in the management of ulcers regarding the percentage of granulation tissue promotion, ulcer size reduction, and decrease in the amount of discharge from ulcers.
Range Difference Between Shallow and Deep Channels of Airborne Bathymetry LiDAR With Segmented Field-of-View Receivers

Significant range differences were identified between shallow and deep channels of the Mapper5000 bathymetry light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system with segmented field-of-view (FOV) receivers. Range difference varied with depth and water optical properties. The main feature was the maximum value in range difference curves, which ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 m and usually exceeded the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) accuracy standards. Sensitivity analyses based on a semianalytical Monte Carlo simulation model revealed that the scattering phase function and laser beam divergence angle played more important roles in causing pulse dispersion and determining the amplitude and position of maximum range difference than absorption and scattering coefficients. A range difference correction method by fitting existing shallow and deep channel data in the overlapping range with a cubic polynomial was proposed to correct the deep channel data in the entire depth range that LiDAR can detect. Depth discontinuity at the junction of the shallow channel and deep channel measurements was successfully removed, and the mean and standard deviation of corrected range differences were within 0.01 and 0.1 m, respectively. A combination of range difference correction and mean bias corrector can be an alternative method for depth bias correction of segmented-FOV LiDAR when referenced sonar data is not available.
Aquaponics-Derived Tilapia Skin Collagen for Biomaterials Development

Collagen is one of the most widely used biomaterials in health-related sectors. The industrial production of collagen mostly relies on its extraction from mammals, but several issues limited its use. In the last two decades, marine organisms attracted interest as safe, abundant, and alternative source for collagen extraction. In particular, the possibility to valorize the huge quantity of fish industry waste and byproducts as collagen source reinforced perception of fish collagen as eco-friendlier and particularly attractive in terms of profitability and cost-effectiveness. Especially fish byproducts from eco-sustainable aquaponics production allow for fish biomass with additional added value and controlled properties over time. Among fish species, Oreochromis niloticus is one of the most widely bred fish in large-scale aquaculture and aquaponics systems. In this work, type I collagen was extracted from aquaponics-raised Tilapia skin and characterized from a chemical, physical, mechanical, and biological point of view in comparison with a commercially available analog. Performed analysis confirmed that the proprietary process optimized for type I collagen extraction allowed to isolate pure native collagen and to preserve its native conformational structure. Preliminary cellular studies performed with mouse fibroblasts indicated its optimal biocompatibility. All data confirmed the eligibility of the extracted Tilapia-derived native type I collagen as a biomaterial for healthcare applications.
Gender Stereotypes in Hollywood Movies and Their Evolution over Time: Insights from Network Analysis

The present analysis of more than 180,000 sentences from movie plots across the period from 1940 to 2019 emphasizes how gender stereotypes are expressed through the cultural products of society. By applying a network analysis to the word co-occurrence networks of movie plots and using a novel method of identifying story tropes, we demonstrate that gender stereotypes exist in Hollywood movies. An analysis of specific paths in the network and the words reflecting various domains show the dynamic changes in some of these stereotypical associations. Our results suggest that gender stereotypes are complex and dynamic in nature. Specifically, whereas male characters appear to be associated with a diversity of themes in movies, female characters seem predominantly associated with the theme of romance. Although associations of female characters to physical beauty and marriage are declining over time, associations of female characters to sexual relationships and weddings are increasing. Our results demonstrate how the application of cognitive network science methods can enable a more nuanced investigation of gender stereotypes in textual data.
Effects of Acremonium terricola Culture on the Growth, Slaughter Yield, Immune Organ, Serum Biochemical Indexes, and Antioxidant Indexes of Geese

Simple Summary The culture of Acremonium terricola has similar components to Cordyceps and exhibits growth-promoting and antioxidant effects. This research investigated the effects of Acremonium terricola culture on the growth performance, slaughter performance, immune organ and serum biochemical indexes, and serum and muscle antioxidant indexes of geese. The results showed that adding Acremonium terricola culture to the diet could reduce the feed-to-weight ratio of geese and improve the antioxidant capacity of goose meat and serum. The results indicated that Acremonium terricola culture could be used as a new feed additive to promote the growth of geese and improve the antioxidant capacity of geese. Abstract Acremonium terricola culture (ATC) is a new type of green feed additive, and its main components include cordycepin, adenosine, and ergosterol. In this study, the Hortobagy geese were used as the experimental animals to explore the effects of ATC addition to the basal diet. Seven hundred and twenty 1-day-old Hortobagy geese were randomly divided into four treatment groups, each with 180 geese divided into six pens equally. The four treatments included the control group and three experimental treatments. Half of the geese in each group were males and half were females. All geese were offered the same basal diet with ATC supplementation at 0, 3, 5, and 7 g/kg. The results showed that basal diet supplementation with 7 g/kg ATC reduced the feed conversion rate (FCR) of Hortobagy geese in a highly significant manner (p < 0.01). When the dosage of ATC was 3 g/kg, the breast muscle rate and leg muscle rate of female geese were significantly increased (p < 0.05). ATC supplementation in the basal diet had no significant effect on the immune organ index of Hortobagy geese (p > 0.05). Basal diet supplementation with 3 g/kg and 5 g/kg ATC significantly reduced the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) content in the serum of female geese, significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of the serum, and significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the serum (p < 0.05). The addition of 5 g/kg and 7 g/kg ATC to the basal diet reduced the blood glucose (GLU) content in male geese in a highly significant manner (p < 0.01). A basal diet supplemented with 3 g/kg and 7 g/kg ATC significantly reduced the MDA content in geese breast muscles (p < 0.05). Basal diet supplementation with 3 g/kg ATC highly significantly improved the T-AOC of female geese breast muscles (p < 0.01). Basal diet supplementation with 5 g/kg ATC significantly improved the T-AOC of female geese leg muscles (p < 0.01). In summary, basal diet supplementation with ATC enhances the growth performance and antioxidant properties of Hortobagy geese.
THE CYTOTOXIC EFFECT OF RHIZOSTOME JELLYFISH VENOM ON CANCER CELL LINES AND ITS ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY IN EHRLICH ASCITES-BEARING MICE

All of the drawbacks associated with the chemotherapy of cancer are the impetus for the search for newer and more efficacious drugs. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and antitumor efficacy of scyphozoan Rhizostoma octopus (rhizostome jellyﬁsh) venom extract (RVE) against different tumor cell lines (in vitro ) and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice ( in vivo ), respectively. Four groups of female CD-1 mice (n=10) were allotted as follows: the b.wt change, tumor indices, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as histological alterations of liver and kidneys tissues, were investigated. The results showed that RVE had high protein content with six bands ranging between 15-70 kDa, as measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The IC 50 of RVE against human hepatocellular (HepG-2) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines were 808.4 and 896.4 µg/mL, respectively. In EAC-bearing mice, RVE treatment modulated the b.wt change, and decreased the tumor volume and the tumor cells count. In addition, the liver and kidney functions were improved in EAC-bearing mice treated with RVE, as evidenced by ameliorating their histological structure.
VICTIMIZATION IN CYBERSPACE: AN APPLICATION OF ROUTINE ACTIVITY AND LIFESTYLE EXPOSURE THEORIES

Since cybercrime and cybercrime victims are increasing, it becomes necessary to study cybercrime and assess the factors that impact the victimization in cyberspace. Once we fully understand how people are victimized, we can create better policies to prevent the crime before it occurs. In striving to contribute to studies on this particular issue, the aim of this study is to examine victimization in cyberspace by applying the theoretical framework of routine activities and lifestyle exposure theories. This study also aims to examine how individuals respond to cybercrime victimization in terms of risk perception and constrained behavior Study results show that personal use of computer and engaging in leisure online activities such as playing online games, downloading games, programs, and video or music files increases the victimization risk in cyberspace. On the other hand, contrary to discussions regarding the role of guardianships in preventing victimization, study results indicate that individuals, who use firewall and anti-virus program, are more likely to report spyware and adware infection. Study results also show that individuals, who has better knowledge about cyber threats, Internet and computer related terms, are more likely to report spyware and adware infection whereas they are less likely to have computer problems. Although, the positive effect of digital guardianships (firewall and anti-virus) and individuals’ knowledge can be attributed to detection provided by the digital guardianships and knowledge (individuals, who use firewall and antivirus and who have better knowledge, might detect malicious software and might be more likely to report spyware and adware victimization), it requires further evaluation. Moreover, findings suggest that individuals who reported being victim of adware and experienced more computer problems, are more likely have higher risk perception and more likely to change their online behavior in order to avoid future victimization.
Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers Related to Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased pro-oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Several studies emphasized the protective effect of the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). To assess the oxidative and inflammatory state according to the adherence to MDP using biomarkers in patients with MetS. Antioxidant and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were determined in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and neutrophils of adults (aged 55–75 years old; 60% women) with MetS living in Mallorca (Spain). Anthropometrics, dietary intake by a validated semi-quantitative 143-item food frequency questionnaire, and a Dietary Inflammatory Index were measured. Patients with low adherence to MDP showed higher levels of glycated haemoglobin A1c and triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol. Plasma levels of interleukin-1β, IL-6, IL-15, tumour necrosis factor α, xanthine oxidase, and ghrelin, and activities of superoxide dismutase, and myeloperoxidase were higher in subjects with low adherence to the MDP. Reactive oxygen species production in PBMCs and neutrophils stimulated with lipopolysaccharide was higher in participants with low adherence to the MDP. Patients with MetS and higher adherence to the MDP showed less altered anthropometric parameters, blood biochemical profile, and better oxidative and inflammatory status.