Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographic variation and ethnicity in diabetic retinopathy detection via deeplearning

: The prevalence of diabetes is on the rise steadily around the globe. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a result of 4 damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes and its fast treatment is crucial for preventing possible blindness. 5 The diagnosis of DR is done mostly using a comprehensive eye exam where the eye is dilated for a better inspection. 6 The analysis by an ophthalmologist is prone to human error and thus automatic and highly accurate detection of DR is 7 preferred for an earlier and better diagnosis. It is important, however, that automatic detection is accurate for all data 8 collected from patients of diﬀerent geographic and ethnic backgrounds. In this paper, the automatic detection of DR with 9 a deep learning algorithm is analyzed when geographic and ethnic information of the patients are also integrated into the 10 architecture. It is shown that robust and generalizable DR detection performance is linearly related to the correlation 11 of geographic and ethnic patient information between the training and the testing datasets. The deep learning model 12 created eliminates geographic variation in the detection and works for patients of all ethnicities.
ACCURACY IMPROVEMENT OF CHANGE DETECTION BASED ON COLOR ANALYSIS

Change detection is one of the most important topics in the application field of aerial images and satellite images. In this paper, a novel framework for accuracy improvement on change detection is proposed. The proposed framework consists of three parts. Firstly, the location difference between the two orthoimages for change detection is rectified globally. Secondly, the illumination change of the orthoimages from two different times is adjusted to produce the orthoimages with more unified illumination condition. Thirdly, the location difference between the two orthoimages is adjusted in more precise level of local regions. Experimental results show that the detection accuracy of change detection is greatly improved through the pre-processing of the proposed framework.
Growth habits of the vegetative apple rootstock MM 106 after treatment with some soil herbicides under in vitro conditions.

The strong susceptibility of the fruit species used as rootstocks to herbicide application necessitated the studies on the vegetative habits and physiological status of the plants with the aim of optimizing the weed control in the production of certified fruit planting material. The aim of the present study was to develop an in vitro test system for preliminary screening of the effect of some soil herbicides on the growth habits of vegetative apple rootstocks. Micropropagated and rooted plants of apple rootstock ММ 106 (root length about 10 mm) were treated with the soil herbicides pendimethalin and napropamid. The following variants were set for the experiment: 1. Control (untreated); 2. Pendimethalin – Stomp 33 EC – 4.0 L/ha; 3. Pendimethalin – Stomp 33 EC – 6.0 L/ha; 4. Napropamid – Devrinol 4F – 4.0 L/ha; 5. Napropamid – Devrinol 4F – 4.0 L/ha. The rates of the respective herbicides were recalculated according to the area of the cultural vessel. In both variants with napropamid applied appearance of necrosis in the root tips was observed on the 7 th day. On the 14 th and 21 st days those symptoms were much more expressed and stem growth suppression was also reported. It was established that pendimethalin and napropamid depressed the stem and root growth of the treated plants. The inhibiting effect of napropamid on those characteristics was expressed even more strongly. Both soil herbicides did not exert any significant effect on the mean number of roots per plant. The application of those herbicides was the reason for the lower content of leaf pigments (chlorophyll а, β, а+β and carotenoids), the strongest depressing effect being reported after treatment with napropamid.
Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin affect terpenoid production in Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban differently

Summary: Treatment of Centella asiatica with two statin molecules, that are used to inhibit HMG Co-A reductase enzyme to control production of cholesterol in human, showed their contrasting effects on the production of asiatic acid and madecassic acid (triterpenes) in its leaves and petioles. This might be due the fact that the isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP), which is precursor of triterpenes in plants, is biosynthesized in two different ways, and these two statins affect different enzymes of the unrelated pathways as an inhibitor, and as an enhancer/modulator respectively. Atorvastatin presumably inhibits HMG CoA reductase, that pla ys key role in the mevalonate pathway, while rosuvastatin might probably be modulating CDP-ME synthase of the alternative non-mevalonate pathway favorably.
Jordanian EFL Students' Attitudes toward Using World Wide Web Net and Its’ Effect on their Linguistic Proficiency

This study aimed to investigate the attitudes of Jordanian EFL learners toward using the World Wide Web net for language learning proficiency. Another aim of this study was to explore whether there was any significant difference between males and females’ attitudes toward using it. 40 EFL learners (19 male and 21 female) studying English at Ajloun National University (ANU) in the first semester of the academic year 2016/2017 participated in the study. The researcher used an attitudinal questionnaire toward using WWW as an instrument. After collecting the data, SPSS software (version 20) was used to get the numerical interpretable information. An independent-sample T-test was used to compare the results of the control and experimental groups. The results revealed that most of the participants in the study showed positive attitudes about the importance of using the World Wide Web net to develop their linguistic proficiency in the four language skills. Moreover, the results of T-test showed that there was no difference between female and male learners’ attitudes toward the use of the internet for developing their language proficiency.
Bayesian Inference Bayesian Approach toMulticentre Sparse Data

In a 2× 2 contingency table, when the sample size is small, there may be a number of cells that contain few or no observations, usually referred to as sparse data. In such cases, a common recommendation in the conventional frequentist methods is adding a small constant to every cell of the observed table to find the estimates of the unknown parameters. However, this approach is based on asymptotic properties of the estimates and may work poorly for small samples. An alternative approach would be to use Bayesian methods in order to provide better insight into the problem of sparse data coupled with fewer centers, which would otherwise be difficult to carry out the analysis. In this article, an attempt has been made to use hierarchical Bayesian model to a multicenter data on the effect of a surgical treatment with standard foot care among leprosy patients with posterior tibial nerve damage which is summarized as seven 2× 2 tables. Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) techniques are applied in estimating the parameters of interest under sparse data setup.
Agustín behavior of human fibroblasts Effects of plasma surface treatments of diamond-like carbon and polymeric substrata on the cellular

Surface properties play an important role in the functioning of a biomaterial in the biological environment. This work describes the influence of the changes that occurred on diamond-like carbon (DLC) and polymeric substrata by different nitrogen and ammonia plasmas treatments and its effects on the cell proliferation on these materials. All substrata were additionally subjected to the effect of neutral beams of nitrogen atoms and NH species for comparison purposes. Results about the proliferation, viability, and morphology of fibroblasts were correlated with surface chemical composition, surface tension, and topography. It was found that the presence of amine groups on the surface and the surface tension are beneficial factors for the cell growth. Surface roughness in DLC also plays a positive role in favoring cell adhesion and proliferation, but it can be detrimental for some of the treated polymers because of the accumulation of low molecular weight fragments formed as a result of the plasma treatments. Analysis of the overall results for each type of material allowed to define a unique parameter called ‘factor of merit’ accounting for the influence of the different surface characteristics on the cell deployment, which can be used to predict qualitatively the efficiency for cell growth.
An investigation of the separability of chemical and dynamic sources on ozone variations

Interannual variations of the monthly mean total ozone, stratospheric angular momentum and their interrelations are investigated by applying of the empirical orthogonal functions and singular value decomposition for October in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) and January in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) during 1979-1992. High correlations between interannual variations of the total ozone and stratospheric circulation in the mid to high latitudes of both hemispheres were obtained. On the basis of these relations, reconstruction of the total ozone changes was performed using the linear regression of observed total ozone in terms of the calculated stratospheric momentum variations. This allowed us to estimate in the first approximation a relative influence of "dynamical" and "chemical" impacts on observed ozone trends. The results show that largest "chemical" contributions to observed trends in the NH in January, which are not associated with the long-term changes of the stratospheric dynamics, take place over France, Germany, Italy ( 70%), eastern coast of the United States ( 70%), Moscow region ( 60%), Baikal, Far East, and Japan ( 50%). For the SH in October, those were found southeastward from Australia (up to 90%) and South America ( 70%). Large negative trends of the total ozone in the midlatitudes of the North Pacific in January are mainly caused by long-term changes of the stratospheric dynamics. Possible mechanisms of decadal variations in the coupled ocean-atmosphere system and their relation to interannual and decadal changes of the ozone layer are discussed.
The new comparative economics The Harvard this article you. Your

In recent years, comparative economics experienced a revival, with a new focus on comparing capitalist economies. The transition from socialism, the Asian financial crisis, and the European economic and political integration, have challenged our understanding of how capitalist economies and societies work. Capitalist economies differ in important ways in how they regulate market activities, including the extent of public ownership, regulation of social harms and externalities, contract enforcement, modes of dispute resolution, etc. Capitalist countries also differ in how they regulate political competition, including the structure of electoral systems, the nature of checks and balances, legal procedures, and so on. These institutional differences among countries are both highly systematic, and have important consequences of economic and social outcomes. As an important example, the historical origin of a country’s legal system has proved to be a crucial factor shaping institutions. A growing body of theoretical and empirical research documents and analyzes how history as well as current conditions shape institutions. This research -- which we call the new comparative economics --helps explain many differences in performance, and informs the design of economic and political reforms.
Objective and Self-Perceived Facial Skin Status Using Whitening Efficacy of Cosmetic Products on Taiwanese Women

Background: Tranexamic acid and vitamin C derivatives are important reagent used in cosmetic skin-whitening products. Recently, self-perceptions regarding improvement in facial skin status have been increasingly recognized as an important outcome of whitening cosmetic products intervention. Aims: The purpose of the study was to determine the receptiveness of objective and self-perceived facial skin status using whitening cosmetic products. Methods: A total of 40 volunteers were photographed using the Visia? machine and completed questionnaires at pre- and post-operation (8 weeks after receiving whitening cosmetic products). Visia? digital image analysis and questionnaires were used for assessment of facial skin status. The receptiveness of objective and self-perceived measures was assessed by paired t test and Effect Size (ES). Results: There were progresses with regard to the surface spot (ES = 0.22), wrinkles (ES = 0.24), texture (ES = 0.31) and pores (ES = 0.21) after using cosmetic products with tranexamic acid. For self-perceived measures, there were significant progresses in pigmented spots (ES = 0.75), rough complexion (ES = 0.76), red complexion (ES = 0.41), wrinkle (ES = 0.58) and obvious pores (ES = 0.75). Conclusions: This study suggests that the whitening cosmetic products are associated with improvement of objective and self-perceived facial skin status. The results could be provided as available information for cosmetic investigation.
Isabel Lara postharvest performance L . ) cultivars displaying different Prunus avium Post-storage cell wall metabolism in two sweet cherry

The biochemical processes underlying firmness loss of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit are poorly understood. Studies on cell wall metabolism of sweet cherry have been generally undertaken during on-tree development or at harvest maturity, while published reports on postharvest changes are scarce and fragmentary. In this work, cell wall modifications after storage at 0 C were studied in two cherry cultivars (‘Celeste’ and ‘Somerset’) displaying different postharvest potential. Firmness was largely determined by the yields of the Na2CO3and KOH-soluble fractions, enriched in covalently-bound pectins and in matrix glycans, respectively, and correlated well with ascorbic acid contents. The yields of these two cell wall fractions were correlated inversely with pectinmethylesterase and endo-1,4-b-D-glucanase activities, indicating a relevant role of these two enzymes in postharvest firmness changes in sweet cherry. The amount of solubilised cell wall materials was closely associated to the contents of dehydroascorbic acid, suggesting the possible involvement of oxidative mechanisms in cell wall disassembly. These data may help understanding the evolution of fruit quality during the marketing period, and give hints for the design of suitable management strategies to preserve key attributes.
Wind-Driven Sea Level Variability on the California Coast: An Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis

Effects of atmospheric forcing on coastal sea surface height near Port San Luis, central California, are investigated using a regional state estimate and its adjoint. The physical pathways for the propagation of nonlocal [O(100km)] wind stress effects are identified through adjoint sensitivity analyses, with a cost function that is localized in space so that the adjoint shows details of the propagation of sensitivities. Transfer functions between wind stress and SSH response are calculated and compared to previous work. It is found that (i) the response to local alongshore wind stress dominates on short time scales of O(1 day); (ii) the effect ofnonlocalwindsdominatesonlongertimescalesandiscarriedbycoastallytrappedwaves,aswellasinertia‐ gravity waves for offshore wind stress; and (iii) there are significant seasonal variations in the sensitivity of SSH to wind stress due to changes in stratification. In a more stratified ocean, the damping of sensitivities to local and offshore winds is reduced, allowing for a larger and longer-lasting SSH response to wind stress.
Hernández affected by temperature and atmosphere composition Nutritional quality changes throughout shelf-life of fresh-cut kailan-hybrid and ' Parthenon ' broccoli as

The nutritional quality changes of the fresh-cut kailan-hybrid broccoli were compared with those of the ‘Parthenon’ cv. throughout 15 days at 2 C, 5 C and 8 C under air and modified atmosphere packaging. Florets showed higher dietary fiber content than stems. The total protein content of kailan-hybrid florets was 2.2-fold higher than that of ‘Parthenon’ cv. and higher amounts of S, Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn and Cu were found. However, ‘Parthenon’ florets registered higher initial total phenolics content than the kailan-hybrid edible part, followed by an increase throughout shelf-life favored at 5 C and 8 C under modified atmosphere packaging (5–7 kPa O2þ 14–15 kPa CO2). Modified atmosphere packaging stored samples at 8 C showed higher individual phenolics content than modified atmosphere packaging stored samples at 2 C. The initial total antioxidant capacity of the kailan-hybrid edible part was higher than that of ‘Parthenon’ cv. florets. In conclusion, the kailan-hybrid florets generally showed healthier properties on the analyzed bioactive compounds, except total phenolic content, compared to the conventional ‘Parthenon’ cv.
Processing of Soot by Controlled Sulphuric Acid and Water Condensation—Mass and Mobility Relationship

The effects of atmospheric processing on soot particle morphology were studied in the laboratory using the Differential Mobility Analyzer-Aerosol Particle Mass Analyzer (DMA-APM) and the DMA-DMA (Tandem DMA) techniques. To simulate atmospheric processing, combustion soot agglomerates were altered by sulphuric acid vapor condensation, relative humidity (RH) cycling, and evaporation of the sulphuric acid and water by heating. Primary investigated properties were particle mobility size and mass. Secondary properties, derived from these, include effective density, fractal dimension, dynamic shape factor, and the mass fraction of condensed material. A transformation of the soot particles to more compact forms occurs as sulphuric acid and water condense onto fresh soot. The particle mass increases and initially the mobility diameter decreases, indicating restructuring of the soot core, likely due to surface tension forces. For a given soot source and condensing liquid, the degree of compaction depends strongly on the mass (or volume) fraction of condensed material. For water and sulphuric acid condensing on combustion soot, a mass increase of 2–3 times is needed for a transformation to spherical particles. In the limit of spherical particles without voids, the effective density then approaches the inherent material density, the fractal dimension approaches 3 and the dynamic shape factor approaches 1. Our results indicate that under typical atmospheric conditions, soot particles will be fully transformed to spherical droplets on a time scale of several hours. It is expected that the morphology changes and addition of soluble material to soot strongly affect the optical and hygroscopic properties of soot.
Financial Globalisation and the Labour Share in Developing Countries: The Type of Capital Matters

In this paper, we investigate how de facto financial globalization has influenced the labor share in developing countries. Our main argument is the need to distinguish between different types of capital in this context, as different forms of foreign investment have different fixed costs and impacts on the host countries' production process and vary concerning their bargaining power vis-a-vis labor. Assuming an aggregate elasticity of substitution between capital and labor would thus be misleading. Our econometric analysis of the impact of foreign direct vs. portfolio investment in a sample of about 40 developing and transition countries after 1992 supports this claim. Using different panel data techniques to address potential endogeneity problems, we find that FDI has a positive effect on the labor share in developing countries, while the impact of portfolio investment is significantly smaller, and potentially negative. Our results also highlight that de facto foreign investment cannot explain the decline of the labor share in developing countries over the investigated period.
Phonon-assisted spin splitting in centrosymmetric crystals

For static crystals it is well known that electronic states are doubly degenerate in their spin degree of freedom in the presence of time reversal and inversion symmetries. This degeneracy can only be lifted by either (i) breaking time reversal symmetry, for example in a ferromagnet, or (ii) breaking inversion symmetry and having spin orbit coupling, for example in the Rashba effect. We propose that spin degeneracy can be lifted in time reversal and inversion symmetric crystals with a combination of lattice vibrations and spin-orbit coupling. We demonstrate this effect in the cubic perovskite CsPbCl$_3$ by performing first principles calculations of the finite temperature band structure, which, in accordance with our prediction, undergoes spin splitting. We also suggest optical and photoemission experiments to examine our predictions. This new understanding dramatically expands the range of materials that can exhibit spin splitting, with potential applications in a variety of technologies such as spintronics and photovoltaics.
FLUTTER-LIKE OSCILLATIONS OF A PLANING PLATE

By means of a linear analysis, it is shown that the steady motion of a planing plate in two dimensions is always unstable in heave; the vertical motion of the water ahead of the plate causes the plate to have an effective chord length which oscillates along with any heave oscillation, and the damping coefficient of such an oscillation is negative if the reduced frequency is less than a computed critical value. This result suggests that 2-D planing is always unstable. However, when the planing plate supports a given load and has a given angle of attack, the flow will be more like that of a supercavitating hydrofoil at low speeds, and only at high speed will the characteristic planing flow be established. (Modified author abstract)
MAC LAYER MISBEHAVIOR DETECTION AND REACTION IN WIRELESS NETWORKS

IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN medium access control (MAC) provides transmission fairness to nodes in a network. A misbehaving node can modify its MAC and operate in a selfish manner to improve its own performance (throughput) at the expense of other nodes’ performance. In this thesis, new misbehavior detection and reaction mechanisms are proposed and evaluated, and their effect on throughput and fairness is studied. This thesis proposes a new criteria for misbehavior detection: the inter-packet transmission (IPT) time. Nodes maintain a moving average of their own IPT time and also maintain the moving average of neighboring nodes’ IPT times. The ratio of a node’s own IPT time to its neighbors’ IPT time is calculated, and if this ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the presence of misbehavior is detected. When a misbehavior is detected in the network, genuine nodes react by collectively misbehaving, based on the extent of misbehavior in the network, in order to decrease the performance of the misbehaving nodes and also to improve their own performance. It has been shown using extensive simulations that the newly proposed metric of inter-packet transmission time is very effective in designing misbehavior detection and reaction schemes. Reaction effectiveness greater than 85% is achieved in all scenarios considered.