Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress-associated radiation effects in pygmy wood mouse Apodemus uralensis (Muridae, Rodentia) populations from the East-Urals Radioactive Trace

Abstract This work is based on the comparative analysis of data obtained in the course of monitoring pygmy wood mouse populations (Apodemus uralensis Pallas, 1811) in the East-Urals Radioactive Trace (EURT) area and background territories. The effect of population size and its interaction with the radioactivity on biochemical parameters in the spleen and adrenal glands was studied. The concentrations of total lipids, proteins, DNA and RNA, activity of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and catalase as well as the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) were evaluated. The functional-metabolic shifts seen with large population sizes were characterized by delipidisation of adrenocortical cells, increased LPO as the main mechanism for steroidogenesis, growth of the protein components of the adrenal glands to maintain their hyperfunction, as well as immunosuppression associated with the restriction of carbohydrates providing splenocytes, reduction of DNA synthesis, and the development of a pro-/antioxidant imbalance. Reactivity of the neuroendocrine and hematopoietic systems of animals experiencing a high population density was higher in the EURT zone compared with the reference group. This difference can be explained by the additional stress from the chronic radiation exposure. The level of LPO, catalase activity, and DNA/protein ratio in the spleen and the total protein content in the adrenal glands were the most sensitive to the interaction of population size and radiation exposure. The harmful effect (distress) of the interaction of non-radiation and radiation factors can manifest when there is a population abundance above 30 ind. /100 trap–day and a radiation burden which exceeds the lower boundary of the Derived Consideration Reference Levels, which is above 0.1 mGy/day.
Caseworker-Perceived Caregiver Substance Abuse and Child Protective Services Outcomes

The authors used data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to examine associations of child protective services (CPS) caseworkers’ perceptions of caregiver substance abuse with their perceptions of the severity of risk and harm a child experienced as a result of alleged maltreatment, as well as with whether a family experienced a range of CPS outcomes. The outcomes included whether the family received services from CPS, was substantiated for maltreatment, experienced child removal, and was subject to a termination of parental rights (TPR) petition. The authors also compared the magnitude of the association between caseworker-perceived caregiver substance abuse and each outcome to that of the association between other maltreatment-related risk factors and each outcome. Findings suggest that, all else equal, caseworker-perceived caregiver substance abuse is associated with increased caseworker perceptions that children have experienced severe risk and harm and also with an increased probability of each of the CPS outcomes except TPR. Moreover, these associations are equal in magnitude or larger than those between the other risk factors and the outcomes. These findings imply that CPS decisions are heavily influenced by caseworker perceptions of caregiver substance abuse, regardless of the presence of other risk factors for child maltreatment.
Comparing the Effect of Naturally Restored Forest and Grassland on Carbon Sequestration and Its Vertical Distribution in the Chinese Loess Plateau

Vegetation restoration has been conducted in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) since the 1950s, and large areas of farmland have been converted to forest and grassland, which largely results in SOC change. However, there has been little comparative research on SOC sequestration and distribution between secondary forest and restored grassland. Therefore, we selected typical secondary forest (SF-1 and SF-2) and restored grassland (RG-1 and RG-2) sites and determined the SOC storage. Moreover, to illustrate the factors resulting in possible variance in SOC sequestration, we measured the soil δ13C value. The average SOC content was 6.8, 9.9, 17.9 and 20.4 g kg−1 at sites SF-1, SF-2, RG-1 and RG-2, respectively. Compared with 0–100 cm depth, the percentage of SOC content in the top 20 cm was 55.1%, 55.3%, 23.1%, and 30.6% at sites SF-1, SF-2, RG-1 and RG-2, suggesting a higher SOC content in shallow layers in secondary forest and in deeper layers in restored grassland. The variation of soil δ13C values with depth in this study might be attributed to the mixing of new and old carbon and kinetic fractionation during the decomposition of SOM by microbes, whereas the impact of the Suess effect (the decline of 13C atmospheric CO2 values with the burning of fossil fuel since the Industrial Revolution) was minimal. The soil δ13C value increased sharply in the top 20 cm, which then increased slightly in deeper layers in secondary forest, indicating a main carbon source of surface litter. However the soil δ13C values exhibited slow increases in the whole profile in the restored grasslands, suggesting that the contribution of roots to soil carbon in deeper layers played an important role. We suggest that naturally restored grassland would be a more effective vegetation type for SOC sequestration due to higher carbon input from roots in the CLP.
Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and serotype distribution of group B streptococcus isolated among pregnant women and newborns in Rabat, Morocco

Purpose. Group B streptococcus (GBS) is an important cause of neonatal sepsis worldwide. Data on the prevalence of maternal GBS colonization, risk factors for carriage, antibiotic susceptibility and circulating serotypes are necessary to tailor adequate locally relevant public health policies. Methodology. A prospective study including pregnant women and their newborns was conducted between March and July 2013 in Morocco. We collected clinical data and vagino‐rectal and urine samples from the recruited pregnant women, together with the clinical characteristics of, and body surface samples from, their newborns. Additionally, the first three newborns admitted every day with suspected invasive infection were recruited for a thorough screening for neonatal sepsis. Serotypes were characterized by molecular testing. Results. A total of 350 pregnant women and 139 of their newborns were recruited. The prevalence of pregnant women colonized by GBS was 24 %. In 5/160 additional sick newborns recruited with suspected sepsis, the blood cultures were positive for GBS. Gestational hypertension and vaginal pruritus were significantly associated with a vagino‐rectal GBS colonization in univariate analyses. All of the strains were susceptible to penicillin, while 7 % were resistant to clindamycin and 12 % were resistant to erythromycin. The most common GBS serotypes detected included V, II and III. Conclusion. In Morocco, maternal GBS colonization is high. Penicillin can continue to be the cornerstone of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. A pentavalent GBS vaccine (Ia, Ib, II, III and V) would have been effective against the majority of the colonizing cases in this setting, but a trivalent one (Ia, Ib and III) would only prevent 28 % of the cases.
PREDICTED POLAR MAPPING FOR MOVING OBSTACLE DETECTION Young –

This paper presents the predicted polar mapping that is to improve the efficiency of an unexpected moving obstacle detecting system in a single vision-based robot. The polar mapping is used to simplify the segmentation of moving objects from the background and is performed with the focus of expansion (FOE) as the center. When the movement of the robot per a step becomes a bit large, then static objects or background are detected as moving objects. Thus, the velocity of the robot becomes so slow. Therefore, to enlarge the movement of the robot and to improve this system, we propose the predicted polar mapping that predicts the polar mapped image after robot moves to be admissible. In order to verify experimentally our proposed procedure, we make several comparative tests in the corridor.
An Obstacle-Tolerant Path Planning Algorithm for Mobile-Anchor-Node-Assisted Localization

The location information obtained using a sensor is a critical requirement in wireless sensor networks. Numerous localization schemes have been proposed, among which mobile-anchor-node-assisted localization (MANAL) can reduce costs and overcome environmental constraints. A mobile anchor node (MAN) provides its own location information to assist the localization of sensor nodes. Numerous path planning schemes have been proposed for MANAL, but most scenarios assume the absence of obstacles in the environment. However, in a realistic environment, sensor nodes cannot be located because the obstacles block the path traversed by the MAN, thereby rendering the sensor incapable of receiving sufficient three location information from the MAN. This study proposes the obstacle-tolerant path planning (OTPP) approach to solve the sensor location problem owing to obstacle blockage. OTPP can approximate the optimum beacon point number and path planning, thereby ensuring that all the unknown nodes can receive the three location information from the MAN and reduce the number of MAN broadcast packet times. Experimental results demonstrate that OTPP performs better than Z-curves because it reduces the total number of beacon points utilized and is thus more suitable in an obstacle-present environment. Compared to the Z-curve, OTPP can reduce localization error and improve localization coverage.
Lessons learned from narrative feedback of students on a geriatric training program

ABSTRACT Geriatrics continues to draw insufficient numbers of medical students today. Currently, little is known regarding how education can motivate students to choose geriatrics. The authors’ aim was to examine geriatrics from the students’ perspective to identify elements that can be useful in education and improving attitudes toward, interest in, and knowledge about geriatrics. The authors analyzed narrative reflection essays of 36 students and clarified the themes from the essays during focus group sessions. Four overarching themes that influenced students’ perspective on geriatrics were identified: professional identity, perception of geriatrics, geriatric-specific problems, and learning environment. Students have an inaccurate image of clinical practice and the medical professional identity, which has a negative impact on their attitude toward, interest in, and knowledge of geriatrics. Furthermore, this study yielded the important role of the hidden curriculum on professional identity, the novelty of geriatric-specific problems to students, and the importance of educational approach and good role models.
Effect of low level laser therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE the aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). MATERIAL AND METHODS a total of 19 patients with the diagnosis of CTS in 19 hands were included and randomly assigned to two treatment groups; LLLT (Group 1) (10 hands) with dosage 1.5 J/ per point and placebo laser therapy group (Group 2) (9 hands). A Galium-Aluminum-Arsenide diode laser device was used as a source of low power laser with a power output of 50 mW and wavelength of 780 nm. All treatments were applied once a day on week days for a total period of 10 days. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline, at the end of the treatment and at month 3. Tinel and Phalen signs were tested in all patients. Patients were evaluated for such clinical parameters as functional status scale (FSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), symptom severity scale (SSS) and grip-strength. However, electrophysiological examination was performed on all hands. Results were given with descriptive statistics and confidence intervals between group means at 3 months adjusted for outcome at baseline and for the difference between unadjusted group proportions. RESULTS clinical and electrophysiological parameters were similar at baseline in both groups. Improvements were significantly more pronounced in the LLLT group than placebo group. A comparison between groups showed significant improvements in pain score and functional status scale score. Group mean differences at 3 months adjusted at baseline were found to be statistically significant for pain score and functional status scale score. The 95% significant confidence intervals were [-15 - (-5)] and [-5 - (-2)] respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in other clinical and electrophysiological parameters between groups at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS our study results indicate that LLLT and placebo laser therapy seems to be effective for pain and hand function in CTS. We, therefore, suggest that LLLT may be used as a good alternative treatment method in CTS patients with RA.
Nitrate dynamics in a rural headwater catchment: measurements and modelling

This study was designed to improve our understanding of, and mechanistically simulate, nitrate (NO3) dynamics in a steep 9.8 ha rural headwater catchment, including its production in soil and delivery to a stream via surface and subsurface processes. A two‐dimensional modelling approach was evaluated for (1) integrating these processes at a hillslope scale annually and within storms, (2) estimating denitrification, and (3) running virtual experiments to generate insights and hypotheses about using trees in streamside management zones (SMZs) to mitigate NO3 delivery to streams. Total flow was mathematically separated into quick‐ and slow‐flow components; the latter was routed through the HYDRUS software with a nitrogen module designed for constructed wetlands. Flow was monitored for two years. High surface‐soil NO3 concentrations started to be delivered to the stream via preferential subsurface flow within two days of the storm commencing. Groundwater NO3‐N concentrations decreased from 1.0 to less than 0.1 mg l−1 from up‐slope to down‐slope water tables, respectively, which was attributed to denitrification. Measurements were consistent with the flushing of NO3 mainly laterally from surface soil during and following each storm. The model accurately accounted for NO3 turnover, leading to the hypotheses that denitrification was a minor flux (<3 kg N ha−1) compared to uptake (98−127 kg N ha−1), and that SMZ trees would reduce denitrification if they lowered the water table. This research provides an example of the measurement and modelling of NO3 dynamics at a small‐catchment scale with high spatial and temporal resolution. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population Expanding with the Phalanx Model and Lineages Split by Environmental Heterogeneity: A Case Study of Primula obconica in Subtropical China

Background Current and historical events have both affected the current distribution patterns and intraspecific divergence of plants. While numerous studies have focused on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the impacts of such events on the flora of subtropical China remain poorly understood. Subtropical China is famous for its highly complex topography and the limited impact from glaciation during the Pleistocene; this may have resulted in a different genetic legacy for species in this region compared to fully glaciated areas. Methodology/Principal Findings We used plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data and distribution modeling to analyze the divergence patterns and demographic history of Primula obconica Hance, a widespread herbaceous montane species in subtropical China. The phylogenetic analysis revealed two major lineages (lineage A and lineage B), representing a west-east split into the Yunnan and Eastern groups, and the Sichuan and Central groups, respectively. The Eastern and Central groups comprised relatively new derived haplotypes. Nested Clade Analysis and Bayesian Skyline Plot analyses both indicated that P. obconica mainly experienced a gradual expansion of populations. In addition, the simulated distribution of P. obconica during the Last Glacial Maximum was slightly larger than its present-day distribution. Conclusion/Significance Our results are the first to identify a west-east migration of P. obconica. The gradual expansion pattern and a larger potential distribution range in cold periods detected for P. obconica indicate that the population expansion of this species is consistent with the phalanx model. In addition, the current patterns of genetic differentiation have persisted as a result of the extensive environmental heterogeneity that exists in subtropical China.
NEAR REAL-TIME AUTOMATIC MARINE VESSEL DETECTION ON OPTICAL SATELLITE

Vessel monitoring and surveillance is important for maritime safety and security, environment protection and border control. Ship monitoring systems based on Synthetic-aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images are operational. On SAR images the ships made of metal with sharp edges appear as bright dots and edges, therefore they can be well distinguished from the water. Since the radar is independent from the sun light and can acquire images also by cloudy weather and rain, it provides a reliable service. Vessel detection from spaceborne optical images (VDSOI) can extend the SAR based systems by providing more frequent revisit times and overcoming some drawbacks of the SAR images (e.g. lower spatial resolution, difficult human interpretation). Optical satellite images (OSI) can have a higher spatial resolution thus enabling the detection of smaller vessels and enhancing the vessel type classification. The human interpretation of an optical image is also easier than as of SAR image. In this paper I present a rapid automatic vessel detection method which uses pattern recognition methods, originally developed in the computer vision field. In the first step I train a binary classifier from image samples of vessels and background. The classifier uses simple features which can be calculated very fast. For the detection the classifier is slided along the image in various directions and scales. The detector has a cascade structure which rejects most of the background in the early stages which leads to faster execution. The detections are grouped together to avoid multiple detections. Finally the position, size(i.e. length and width) and heading of the vessels is extracted from the contours of the vessel. The presented method is parallelized, thus it runs fast (in minutes for 16000×16000 pixels image) on a multicore computer, enabling near real-time applications, e.g. one hour from image acquisition to end user.
Associations with retinal vascular occlusions in a diverse, urban population

ABSTRACT Purpose: Retinal vascular occlusions can lead to sudden and permanent visual impairment or blindness. Few epidemiological studies on retinal vascular occlusions have been conducted, especially on diverse populations. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study of all incident retinal vascular occlusions occurring during a three and one-half year study period at Montefiore Medical Center, capturing all potential cases by diagnosis codes. Patients with retinal venous occlusions (RVO) and retinal arterial occlusions (RAO) were analyzed separately and compared to age-matched control groups. Results: All potential charts (n = 700) were reviewed, confirming 214 RVO and 35 RAO incident cases. In multivariable analyses, RVO was associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 2.41, p < 0.001), history of cerebrovascular accident (OR 2.14, p = 0.011), hypertension (OR 1.83, p = 0.004), glaucoma (OR 6.91, p < 0.001), black race (OR 3.72, p < 0.001), and male gender (OR 2.19 p < 0.001). RAO was significantly associated with current and former smoking combined (OR 8.95, p = 0.021) and male gender (OR 2.56, p = 0.038). Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors and glaucoma are reaffirmed as significant predictors of retinal vascular occlusions in a diverse patient population. Retinal vascular occlusions are more common in certain races and ethnicities, and further study into this may help identify high-risk individuals based on demographics.
Factored time-lapse video

We describe a method for converting time-lapse photography captured with outdoor cameras into Factored Time-Lapse Video (FTLV): a video in which time appears to move faster (i.e., lapsing) and where data at each pixel has been factored into shadow, illumination, and reflectance components. The factorization allows a user to easily relight the scene, recover a portion of the scene geometry (normals), and to perform advanced image editing operations. Our method is easy to implement, robust, and provides a compact representation with good reconstruction characteristics. We show results using several publicly available time-lapse sequences.
Estimation of Nonstationary Linear Regression with Unknown Time-Variability via Continuous Generalization of the Akaike Information Criterion

The problem of estimating time-varying regression is inevitably concerned with the necessity to choose the appropriate level of model volatility ranging from the full stationarity of instant regression models to their absolute independence of each other. In the stationary case the number of regression coefficients to be estimated equals that of regressors, whereas the absence of any smoothness assumptions augments the dimension of the unknown vector by the factor of the timeseries length. The Akaike Information Criterion is a commonly adopted means of adjusting a model to the given data set within a succession of nested parametric model classes, but its crucial restriction is that the classes are rigidly defined by the growing integer-valued dimension of the unknown vector. To make the Kullback information maximization principle underlying the classical AIC applicable to the problem of timevarying regression estimation, we extend it onto a wider class of data models in which the dimension of the parameter is fixed, but the freedom of its values is softly constrained by a family of continuously nested a priori probability distributions.
Competitive P 2 P Scheduling of Users ’ Jobs in Cloud

Existing distributed solutions for distributed computing (Grid, Cloud, etc.) pose a high threshold for potential customers. The reason deals with the technical background and effort that are usually required in order to successfully access the computing facilities, thus limiting their massive adoption. By exploiting the features offered by different distributed paradigms (P2P and Cloud), we propose here an approach that reverses the role of resource requestors and resource providers, allowing potential customers to access the distributed infrastructures in a user-friendly fashion. In the proposed scenario, the task of retrieving the user’s submitted jobs and configure accordingly the necessary resources is in charge of the providers, thus lowering the threshold required to successfully exploit the computing facilities. The experimental activities, described in the paper, validate the hypothesis that a competitive approach, in distributed scheduling environments, can decrease the threshold required to access the facilities and lead, if properly set up, to substantial performance gains. KeywordsP2P; cloud; competitive scheduling.
Singular autoregressions for Generalized Dynamic Factor Models

We consider Generalized Linear Dynamic Factor Models in a stationary context, where the latent variables and thus the static and dynamic factors are the sum of a linearly regular and a linearly singular stationary process and the noise process is linearly regular. The linearly singular component may be useful for modeling e.g. business cycles or seasonal fluctuations in the observed variables. We present a structure theory for this case. The emphasis is laid on the autoregressive case. In general the stationary solutions of the autoregressive models considered here consist of a linearly regular and a linearly singular part. The linearly singular part corresponds to the homogeneous solution of a system having stable roots as well as roots of modulus one. We discuss the solutions of the Yule Walker equations for this case.