Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability in interpretation of chest radiographs among Russian clinicians and implications for screening programmes: observational study

Abstract Objective To determine variability in interpretation of chest radiographs among tuberculosis specialists, radiologists, and respiratory specialists. Design Observational study. Setting Tuberculosis and respiratory disease services, Samara region, Russian Federation. Participants 101 clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. Main outcome measures Interobserver and intraobserver agreement on the interpretation of 50 digital chest radiographs, using a scale of poor to very good agreement (κ coefficient: ≤ 0.20 poor, 0.21-0.40 fair, 0.41-0.60 moderate, 0.61-0.80 good, and 0.81-1.00 very good). Results Agreement on the presence or absence of an abnormality was fair only (κ = 0.380, 95% confidence interval 0.376 to 0.384), moderate for localisation of the abnormality (0.448, 0.444 to 0.452), and fair for a diagnosis of tuberculosis (0.387, 0.382 to 0.391). The highest levels of agreement were among radiologists. Level of experience (years of work in the specialty) influenced agreement on presence of abnormalities and cavities. Levels of intraobserver agreement were fair. Conclusions Population screening for tuberculosis in Russia may be less than optimal owing to limited agreement on interpretation of chest radiographs, and may have implications for radiological screening programmes in other countries.
Blind separation and localization of correlated P300 subcomponents from single trial recordings using extended PARAFAC2 tensor model

A novel mathematical model based on multi-way data construction and analysis with the goal of simultaneously separating and localizing the brain sources specially the subcomponents of event related potentials (ERPs) is introduced. We represent multi-channel EEG data using a third-order tensor with modes: space (channels), time samples, and number of segments. Then, a multi-way technique, in particular, generalized version of PARAFAC2 method, is developed to blindly separate and localize mutually/temporally correlated P3a and P3b sources as subcomponents of P300 signal. In this paper the non-orthogonality of the ERP subcomponents is defined within the tensor model. In order to obtain essentially unique estimation of the signal components one parametric and one structural constraint are defined and imposed. The method is applied to both simulated and real data and has been shown to perform very well even in low signal to noise ratio situations. In addition, the method is compared with spatial principal component analysis (sPCA) and its superiority is demonstrated by using simulated signals.
Probabilistic assessment of plan-asymmetric structures under the near-fault pulse-like events considering soil–structure interaction

This study aims to evaluate the torsional effects and soil–structure interaction simultaneously under near-fault pulse-like earthquakes in a probabilistic framework. Incremental dynamic analysis and fragility curves are employed for this goal. An eight-story R/C dual lateral load-resistant building consisting of shear walls and moment resisting frames is used. The median incremental dynamic analysis curves reported the maximum capacity for the symmetric structure in each foundation conditions. In addition, the capacity of structure will be increased when more shear wave velocity is assumed. Therefore, from this view, neglecting the soil–structure interaction will not be in the safe side. Fragility curves (using intensity measure directly) show that for different cases (except for very low shear wave velocity), more value of eccentricity leads to more probability of collapse. Moreover, the fragility curves show that (for each eccentricity), soil–structure interaction effect is significant only for the flexible base structure with the very low shear wave velocity (100 m/s) and more eccentricity value leads to less soil–structure interaction effects. Results show that the significant eccentricity value may lead to reduce the soil–structure interaction effect in the shear-wall structures under the near-fault events.
Effects of biological monitoring and results outreach on private landowner conservation management

Sustained management efforts by private landowners are crucial for the long-term success of private land natural resource conservation and related environmental benefits. Landowner outreach is a primary means of recruiting private landowners into voluntary conservation incentive programs, and could also help sustain conservation behaviors through time. However, evaluation of outreach targeting landowners during or after participation in natural resource conservation incentive programs is lacking. We assessed two methods of landowner outreach associated with a Natural Resources Conservation Service incentive program targeting effective management of early successional forest habitat on private land in the Appalachians and Upper Great Lakes regions of the United States. While early successional forest habitat benefits many wildlife species, the program target species were the Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) and American Woodcock (Scolopax minor). After habitat management through the program occurred, biological technicians monitored wildlife and vegetation on enrolled properties and results were communicated to landowners in mailed packets. Our research focused on whether landowner interactions with technicians or receipt of result mailings could influence landowner post-program management intentions and management-related cognitions (e.g., agency trust, perceptions of outcomes). We conducted a telephone survey with landowners from January to May 2017, and analyzed survey data using quantitative group comparisons and qualitative coding methods. Landowners that accompanied biological technicians on monitoring site visits had higher agency trust and more positive perceptions of program outcomes. Result mailings did not improve landowner perceptions of program outcomes or agency trust, but did provide benefits such as increased landowner knowledge about birds. Neither outreach method was associated with more positive landowner post-program management intentions. Our findings underline the importance and potential of direct interactions between conservation biologists and landowners. These two forms of non-traditional outreach administered by biologists could be a worthwhile component of future conservation program evaluations on private lands.
Delivery of therapeutics for deep‐seated ocular conditions – status quo

There is a need for research into designing effective pharmaceutical systems for delivering therapeutic drugs to the posterior of the eye for glaucoma‐related pathology, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema, retinitis and choroiditis. Conventionally, eye drops have been extensively utilised for topical drug delivery to the anterior segment of the eye, but are less effective for delivery of therapeutics to the back of the eye due to significant barriers hampering drug penetration into the target intraocular tissue. This review explores some of the current and novel delivery systems employed to deliver therapeutics to the back of the eye such as those using liposomes, ocular implants, in situ gels, and nanoparticles, and how they can overcome some of these limitations.
Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay

Fossils entombed in amber are a unique resource for reconstructing forest ecosystems, and resolving relationships of modern taxa. Such fossils are famous for their perfect, life-like appearance. However, preservation quality is vast with many sites showing only cuticular preservation, or no fossils. The taphonomic processes that control this range are largely unknown; as such, we know little about potential bias in this important record. Here we employ actualistic experiments, using, fruit flies and modern tree resin to determine whether resin type, gut microbiota, and dehydration prior to entombment affects decay. We used solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to confirm distinct tree resin chemistry; gut microbiota of flies was modified using antibiotics and categorized though sequencing. Decay was assessed using phase contrast synchrotron tomography. Resin type demonstrates a significant control on decay rate. The composition of the gut microbiota was also influential, with minor changes in composition affecting decay rate. Dehydration prior to entombment, contrary to expectations, enhanced decay. Our analyses show that there is potential significant bias in the amber fossil record, especially between sites with different resin types where ecological completeness and preservational fidelity are likely affected.
The use of cell polyurethane foams in air-type solar collectors as the heat absorbing element

After the energy crisis in early 1970’s, the priority of alternative energy resources is expanded. There have been many researches, to increase the efficiency of solar energy utilization systems, for domestic and industrial usage since early 1980’s up to now. In many fields air-type solar collectors are applicable. They generally used in food industry to dry agricultural products, textile industry to dry fabrics and space heating. Drying grains (wheat, barley, maize, etc.), fruits (grape, fig, apricot etc.), vegetables, tea are examples for food industry. Greenhouse heating and hospital heating to obtain fresh air are examples of space heating. These examples show that improving their performance is indispensable for commercial acceptance. In this study, the open-cell polyurethane foam as an absorber material, placed in a south facing, flat plate air-type solar collector at fixed tilt angle and effect of this material on collector efficiency has been investigated. The collector designed specially, in order to get maximum heat gain from the useful solar intensity falling on the glazing and insulated to loose minimum heat from collector case and transfer channels. Collector is tested under the regulations of ASHRAE 93-1986 standard named “Methods of Testing to Determine The Thermal Performance of Solar Collectors”. Air passing through the collector has been provided by a fan. Tests are repeated with three air speeds 1.266 m/s, 1.5825 m/s and 1.899 m/s. Maximum average efficiency is calculated on 1.5825 m/s. Maximum average temperature difference of air between inlet and outlet sections observed on 1.266 m/s. Maximum outlet temperature that we get is on the same day with maximum average temperature difference.
Facultative Control of Matrix Production Optimizes Competitive Fitness in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 Biofilm Models

ABSTRACT As biofilms grow, resident cells inevitably face the challenge of resource limitation. In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14, electron acceptor availability affects matrix production and, as a result, biofilm morphogenesis. The secreted matrix polysaccharide Pel is required for pellicle formation and for colony wrinkling, two activities that promote access to O2. We examined the exploitability and evolvability of Pel production at the air-liquid interface (during pellicle formation) and on solid surfaces (during colony formation). Although Pel contributes to the developmental response to electron acceptor limitation in both biofilm formation regimes, we found variation in the exploitability of its production and necessity for competitive fitness between the two systems. The wild type showed a competitive advantage against a non-Pel-producing mutant in pellicles but no advantage in colonies. Adaptation to the pellicle environment selected for mutants with a competitive advantage against the wild type in pellicles but also caused a severe disadvantage in colonies, even in wrinkled colony centers. Evolution in the colony center produced divergent phenotypes, while adaptation to the colony edge produced mutants with clear competitive advantages against the wild type in this O2-replete niche. In general, the structurally heterogeneous colony environment promoted more diversification than the more homogeneous pellicle. These results suggest that the role of Pel in community structure formation in response to electron acceptor limitation is unique to specific biofilm models and that the facultative control of Pel production is required for PA14 to maintain optimum benefit in different types of communities.
Micro-structured fiber Bragg grating based pressure sensors in a downhole-like hydrogen rich environment

The applicability of fiber Bragg gratings written in highly birefringent Butterfly micro-structured optical fibers (MSFBG) for simultaneous High Pressure/High Temperature monitoring without a significant pressure/temperature cross sensitivity have recently been shown. This makes these MS-FBG sensors extremely interesting for downhole monitoring in the Oil and Gas industry. However, an important effect to be taken into account for these applications is the presence of hydrogen, as hydrogen is known to diffuse into the fiber structure and therefore might affect the wavelength responses of the sensor element. In this paper, the effect of hydrogen gas on the MS-FBG sensor readings by monitoring the wavelength changes of the MS-FBG sensor in a hydrogen rich environment have been investigated. In this experiments, two MS-FBG sensors were placed in a hydrogen test chamber: one with its fiber end sealed for pressure sensing and the other with its fiber end kept open for referencing purposes. It could be demonstrated that both sensors show a similar wavelength shift after some time and that due to the hydrogen diffusion, the pressure in the airholes of the sealed MS-FBG sensor equalizes the hydrogen pressure in the chamber. Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that the refractive index seen by the waveguide of the fiber is also affected. Based on all these observations, the influence of the hydrogen on the temperature and pressure measurement performance of the MS-FBG sensor is estimated, and a mitigation scheme that partially compensates for this influence is discussed.
Influence of grinding size of the main cereal of the diet on egg production and eggs quality of brown egg laying hens from 33 to 65 weeks of age1

ABSTRACT The influence of grinding size of the main cereal of the diet on production and egg quality traits was studied in brown hens from 33 to 65 wk of age. The experiment was completely randomized with 6 treatments arranged as a 3 × 2 factorial with 3 main cereals (barley, corn, and wheat) and 2 grinding size of the cereal (6 and 10 mm screen). Each treatment was replicated 11 times (10 hens/replicate). Diets were isonutritive and contained 2,740 kcal/kg AMEn and 16.8% CP. Egg production, ADFI, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined by period (4 wk) and for the entire experiment. Egg quality traits (percentage of undergrades, Haugh units, thickness, strength, color of the shell, and proportion of albumen, yolk, and shell) were measured also by period. No interactions between main cereal and grinding size of the main cereal of the diet were observed for any of the traits studied. Feed intake, egg production, and BW gain were not affected by diet or grinding size. Eggs were heavier (P < 0.01) in hens fed barley than in hens fed corn or wheat, probably because of the higher fat content of the barley diets. Also, FCR tended to improve in hens fed barley compared with hens fed corn or wheat (P = 0.07). Diet did not affect any of the egg quality traits studied. In summary, barley and wheat conveniently supplemented with enzymes, can be used in substitution of corn at levels of up to 55% in diets for laying hens, without any adverse effect on egg production or egg quality traits. Moreover, the substitution of corn by a combination of barley and supplemental fat increased egg size. Consequently, the inclusion of one or other cereal in the diet will depend primarily on their relative cost. Within the range studied, screen size (6 vs. 10 mm) of the cereal had limited effects on hen production.
Maximizing the efficiency of a flexible propulsor using experimental optimization

Abstract Experimental gradient-based optimization is used to maximize the propulsive efficiency of a heaving and pitching flexible panel. Optimum and near-optimum conditions are studied via direct force measurements and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The net thrust and power scale predictably with the frequency and amplitude of the leading edge, but the efficiency shows a complex multimodal response. Optimum pitch and heave motions are found to produce nearly twice the efficiencies of optimum heave-only motions. Efficiency is globally optimized when (i) the Strouhal number is within an optimal range that varies weakly with amplitude and boundary conditions; (ii) the panel is actuated at a resonant frequency of the fluid–panel system; (iii) heave amplitude is tuned such that trailing-edge amplitude is maximized while the flow along the body remains attached; and (iv) the maximum pitch angle and phase lag are chosen so that the effective angle of attack is minimized. The multi-dimensionality and multi-modality of the efficiency response demonstrate that experimental optimization is well-suited for the design of flexible underwater propulsors.
Psychological aspects of the rejection of recycled water: Contamination, purification and disgust

There is a worldwide and increasing shortage of potable fresh water. Modern water reclamation technologies can alleviate much of the problem by converting wastewater directly into drinking water, but there is public resistance to these approaches that has its basis largely in psychology. A psychological problem is encapsulated in the saying of those opposing recycled water: “toilet to tap. ” We report the results of two surveys, one on a sample of over 2,000 Americans from five metropolitan areas and the second on a smaller sample of American undergraduates, both assessing attitudes to water and water purification. Approximately 13% of our adult American sample definitely refuses to try recycled water, while 49% are willing to try it, with 38% uncertain. Both disgust and contamination sensitivity predict resistance to consumption of recycled water. For a minority of individuals, no overt treatment of wastewater will make it acceptable for drinking (“spiritual contagion”), even if the resultant water is purer than drinking or bottled water. Tap water is reliably rated as significantly more desirable than wastewater that has undergone substantially greater purification than occurs with normal tap water. Framing and contagion are two basic psychological processes that influence recycled water rejection.
Improved Study of Heart Disease Prediction System using Data Mining Classification Techniques

Healthcare industry is generally "information rich", but unfortunately not all the data are mined which is required for discovering hidden patterns & effective decision making. Advanced data mining techniques are used to discover knowledge in database and for medical research, particularly in Heart disease prediction. This paper has analysed prediction systems for Heart disease using more number of input attributes. The system uses medical terms such as sex, blood pressure, cholesterol like 13 attributes to predict the likelihood of patient getting a Heart disease. Until now, 13 attributes are used for prediction. This research paper added two more attributes i.e. obesity and smoking. The data mining classification techniques, namely Decision Trees, Naive Bayes, and Neural Networks are analyzed on Heart disease database. The performance of these techniques is compared, based on accuracy. As per our results accuracy of Neural Networks, Decision Trees, and Naive Bayes are 100%, 99.62%, and 90.74% respectively. Our analysis shows that out of these three classification models Neural Networks predicts Heart disease with highest accuracy.
Effective Compositional Model for Lexical Alignment

The automatic compilation of bilingual dictionaries from comparable corpora has been successful for single-word terms (SWTs), but remains disappointed for multi-word terms (MWTs). The increase of coverage of bilingual dictionary thanks to compositional translation improved the results, but still shows some limits for MWTs of different syntactic structures. In this paper, we propose to bridge the gap between syntactic structures through morphological links. The results show a signiﬁcant improvement in the compositional translation of MWTs that demonstrate the efﬁciency of the morphologically based-method for lexical alignment.
Hydrodynamics of caudal fin locomotion by chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus (Scombridae).

As members of the derived teleost fish clade Scombridae, mackerel exhibit high-performance aquatic locomotion via oscillation of the homocercal forked caudal fin. We present the first quantitative flow visualization of the wake of a scombrid fish, chub mackerel Scomber japonicus (20-26 cm fork length, FL), swimming steadily in a recirculating flow tank at cruising speeds of 1.2 and 2.2FL s(-1). Thrust was calculated from wake measurements made separately in the horizontal (frontal) plane and vertical (parasagittal) planes using digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) and compared with drag measurements obtained by towing the same specimens of S. japonicus post mortem. Patterns of flow indicated that the wake consisted of a series of linked elliptical vortex rings, each with central jet flow. The length of the minor axis (height) of the vortex rings was approximately equal to caudal fin span; the length of the major ring axis was dependent on swimming speed and was up to twice the magnitude of ring height. Profiles of wake velocity components were similar to theoretical profiles of vortex rings. Lift, thrust and lateral forces were calculated from DPIV measurements. At 1.2FL s(-1), lift forces measured relative to the X axis were low in magnitude (-1+/-1 mN, mean +/- S.D., N=20) but oriented at a mean angle of 6 degrees to the body axis. Reaction forces tend to rotate the fish about its center of mass, tipping the head down. Thus, the homocercal caudal fin of S. japonicus functions asymmetrically in the vertical plane. Pitching moments may be balanced anteriorly via lift generation by the pectoral fins. Thrust estimates for the two smallest fish based on DPIV analysis were not significantly different from drag measurements made by towing those same animals. At a speed of 1.2FL s(-1), thrust magnitude was 11+/-6 mN (mean +/- S.D, N=40). Lateral force magnitudes were approximately double thrust magnitudes (22+/-6 mN, mean +/- S.D., N=20), resulting in a mean mechanical performance ratio (thrust/total force) of 0.32 at 1.2FL s(-1). An increase in speed by a factor of 1.8 resulted in a mean increase in thrust by a factor of 4.4, a mean increase in lateral forces by a factor of 3, no change in the magnitude of lift produced and an increase in mean mechanical performance to 0.42. The relatively high lateral forces generated during swimming may be a necessary consequence of force production via propagated waves of bending.