Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of renal allograft pathologic changes: comparisons of mono-exponential and bi-exponential models using diffusion-weighted imaging.

Background Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can noninvasively assess renal allograft pathologic changes that provide useful information for clinical management and prognostication. However, it is still unknown whether the bi-exponential model analysis of DWI signals is superior to that of the mono-exponential model. Methods Pathologic and DWI data from a total of 47 allografts were prospectively collected and analyzed. Kidney transplant interstitial fibrosis was quantified digitally. The severity of acute and chronic pathologic changes was semi-quantified by calculating the acute composite scores (ACS) and chronic composite score (CCS). Mono-exponential total apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCT), and the bi-exponential parameters of true diffusion (D) and perfusion fraction (fp) were acquired. The diagnostic performances of both mono-exponential and bi-exponential parameters were assessed and compared by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results ADCT, D, and fp were all significantly correlated with interstitial fibrosis, ACS, and CCS. Cortical fp discriminated mild from moderate and severe ACS with the largest AUC of 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77-0.96]. Noticeably, only cortical fp could differentiate severe ACS from mild-to-moderate ACS (P<0.001) with an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI, 0.65-0.90) and a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 66.4-100%). Strikingly, the joint use of D and fp in either the cortex or the medulla could achieve a sensitivity of 100% for identifying either mild or severe interstitial fibrosis. Meanwhile, the serial use of cortical D and cortical fp showed the largest specificity for identifying both mild [88.9% (95% CI, 70.8-97.6%)] and severe [84.4% (95% CI, 67.2-94.7%)] interstitial fibrosis. For identifying mild CCS, the AUC of medullary ADCT (0.90, 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) was similar to that of cortical D (0.81, 95% CI, 0.67-0.91) and fp (0.86, 95% CI, 0.73-0.94), but statistically larger than that of medullary D (P=0.005) and fp (P=0.01). Furthermore, the parallel use of cortical D and cortical fp could increase the sensitivity to 95.0% (95% CI, 75.1-99.9%), whereas serial use of medullary D and medullary fp could increase the specificity to 100% (95% CI, 87.2-100%). The AUCs for differentiating severe from mild and moderate CCS were statistically insignificant among all parameters in the cortex and medulla (P≥0.15). Conclusions Cortical fp was superior to the ADCT for identifying both mild and severe acute pathologic changes. Nevertheless, ADCT was equal to or better than single D or fp for evaluating chronic pathologic changes. Thus, both monoexponential and bi-exponential analysis of DWI images are complementary for evaluating kidney allograft pathologic changes, and the combined use of D and fp can increase the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating allograft pathologic changes severity.
Three Essays on the Economics of Education Expansion

OF DISSERTATION THREE ESSAYS ON THE ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION EXPANSION My dissertation consists of three essays that study the unintended consequences of education policies. e rst two essays examine the impact of higher education expansion in China on household saving rate and individual migration rate. e third essay looks into the impact of a school redistricting plan and the construction a new school on housing prices in Fayee County, Kentucky. In the rst essay, I utilize the large national expansion on higher education in China which exogenously increase the enrollment of college students, to estimate the induced change in the expected college probability and how it aects saving rates for households with young children both before and aer the expansion. I nd a ten percentage increase in the change in college probability raises household saving rates by more than seven percentage points. In additional to analyzing the saving behaviors of households, I analyze the migration rates of young adults in China using the same policy shock. I use an instrumental variable approach and instrument college status by access to college in province-college year level to identify the eect of college aendance on young adults’ later life location choice. 2SLS estimates suggest that aending college signicantly increases the likelihood of residing in a dierent province later in life by 9.1 percentage points. In the third essay, I take advantage of the approval of school redistricting plan in Fayee County, Kentucky to examine the impact of school quality on housing prices. I nd prices for homes redistricted from a lower-performing school into the proposed school catchment area increase by six percent. For houses in higher-performing school catchment areas redistricted to the proposed new school district, there is a smaller increase in value. Houses redistricted from higher-performing schools to lower-performing schools decrease in value by three to ve percent. e estimate shows that homes in the redistricted areas increased by $108 million relative to homes that were not redistricted.
Breeding and fecundity of the sub-Antarctic crab Halicarcinus planatus (Crustacea: Hymenosomatidae) in the Deseado River estuary, Argentina

Halicarcinus planatus is the only species of the genus occurring at the southern tip of South America, in sub-Antarctic, cold-temperate waters. Previously it has been shown that the population from the estuary of the Deseado River presents a spatial segregation by sex, a complete overlapping of sizes among adolescents and adult females. Females go through two reproductive seasons, separated by a resting period during late summer and early autumn, and 7 to 8 spawns are produced following a single mating. The aims of the present work were to evaluate the duration of the embryonic development until hatching during successive spawning, to determine the fecundity and to discuss the adaptive reproductive strategies of this population. Breeding occurs from nearly 2°C to above 16°C. The incubation period lasts nearly 100 days in winter and between 30 and 40 days in summer. The fecundity ranged from 210 to 2150 eggs, it differs between successive spawning and a positive relationship was found between fecundity and carapace width. This population has the highest fecundity compared to other populations, but also compared to other species of the genus. The high number of successive spawns is directly linked to the increase of seawater temperature by the end of spring and during summer. This way, this species would be very well adapted to live in the more temperate waters of Patagonian coasts.
Convolutional Neural Network Framework for Encrypted Image Classification in Cloud-Based ITS

Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing (CC) technologies are becoming critical requirements to the advancement of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs). ITSs generally rely on captured images to evaluate the status of traffic and perform vehicle statistics. However, such images may contain confidential information, and thus, securing such images is paramount. Therefore, we propose in this paper an efficient framework for improving the security of CC-IoT based ITSs. The proposed framework allows extracting particular vehicle information without revealing any sensitive information. Towards this goal, a convolutional neural network is used to classify encrypted images, based on the vehicle type in real-time, obtained by cameras integrated into road-side units that are part of an ITS leaving sensitive information in all images hidden. Within the proposed framework, we develop a new image classification architecture that never fully decrypts the captured images, thus protecting drivers’ personal information, such as location, license plate, and vehicle contents. In addition, the system does not require a fully decrypted image, which increases the system computational efficiency as compared to conventional systems. The obtained results show that the proposed partial decryption classification technique presents up to 18% reduction in average computational complexity when compared with a fully decrypted system.
Accumulating Design Knowledge with Reference Models: Insights from 12 Years' Research into Data Management

Over the past several decades, digital technologies have evolved from supporting business processes and decision-making to becoming an integral part of business strategies. Although the IS discipline has extensive experience with digitalization and designing sociotechnical artifacts, the underlying design knowledge is seldom systematically accumulated across different settings and projects, and thus cannot be transferred and reused in new contexts. Motivated by this gap in the research, we turn to the data management field, where reference models have become important sources of descriptive and prescriptive domain knowledge. To study knowledge accumulation in reference models, we analyze the revelatory and extreme case of a longitudinal DSR process involving more than 30 European companies and 15 researchers from three universities over 12 years. The insights into reference model development allow us to theorize about knowledge accumulation mechanisms from both a process perspective and an artifact perspective: First, we observe that knowledge accumulation occurs in stages in response to technology’s evolving roles in business (problem space) and as a result of maturing design knowledge (solution space). Second, we find that reference models act as design boundary objects; they explicate and integrate knowledge from different disciplines and allow for the development of design knowledge over time—from descriptive (conceptual) models to prescriptive (capability or maturity) ones. To cope with fundamental changes in the problem space, these models require continuous updating as well as transfer/exaptation to new problem spaces. Our findings inform the IS community about the fundamental logic of knowledge accumulation in longitudinal DSR processes.
Analysing the Moran effect and dispersal: their significance and interaction in synchronous population dynamics

Population synchrony over various geographical scales is known from a large number of taxa. Three main hypotheses have been put forward as explanations to this phenomenon. First, correlated environmental disturbances (so called Moran effect). Moran showed that at least for linear models, the population synchrony would exactly match that of the corresponding environment. Second, the migration, or dispersal, of individuals is liable to cause population synchrony. Third, nomadic predators have been proposed as a synchronising mechanism. In this paper, I analyse the first two explanations by linearizing a general population model with spatial structure. From this linear approximation I derive an expression for the population synchrony. The major results are: 1) Population synchrony can vary significantly depending on the timing of the population census. 2) The environmental correlation is always important. It sets the 'base level' of synchrony. 3) Dispersal is only an effective synchronising mechanism when the local dynamics are at least close to unstable. 4) These results are valid even in a model with delayed density dependence - with possibly cyclic dynamics. Time lag structure has little effect on synchrony. Some of the predictions presented here are supported by data from the literature.
A Method of Text Detection and Recognition from Receipt Images Based on CRAFT and CRNN

Text detection and recognition from paper bank receipts image has a lot of applications in the business field, such as in power system marketing, which is applied in verification and cancellation of electricity charges and automatic archiving. In this paper, we use a text detection method to effectively detect text area in receipt image by exploring each character and affinity between characters. Then put the text sequence into text recognizition model which is combined by DCNN and RNN and integrates feature extraction, sequence modeling and transcription. The experiments demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithm over the prior arts, which performs well in the task of blurred image-based bank receipt chinese text recognition.
EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED STRIGA HERMONTHICA CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES UNDER FARMER MANAGEMENT

On-farm trials were conducted in the northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The objective was to compare integrated Striga hermonthica control measures (soyabean or cowpea trap crop in the first year followed by maize resistant to Striga in the second year) with farmers' traditional practices (cereal-based cropping systems) under farmer-managed conditions. Integrated control proved to be highly effective in terms of reducing Striga incidence both in terms of reduced seed density in the soil and decreased infection in maize. Resistant maize following the soyabean trap crop yielded 1.58 t ha−1 of grain and out-yielded local maize following traditional practices by more than 80%. Similarly, the overall productivity over the period of the experiment was highest with the integrated control treatment using soyabean. Conversely, resistant maize after the cowpea trap crop yielded only 0.92 t ha−1 (possibly due to the poor performance of the cowpea crop in the first year), and maize yields were similar to those obtained with farmer practices. Initial Striga seed density in the soil was negatively correlated (r = −0.33) with soil nitrogen, but nitrogen-fertilizer application rates did not seem to affect the level of Striga infection in maize.
Indoor Localization System Using Dual-Frequency Bands and Interpolation Algorithm

As an important part of the Internet of Things, WiFi-based fingerprint indoor localization technology has been extensively studied due to the widespread deployment of WLAN in indoor environments. Nevertheless, there are two stubborn issues in indoor localization using the fingerprint method, one is the additional localization error caused by heterogeneous devices and the other is the huge time consumed by upgrading the fingerprint database. Here, we propose a dual-frequency difference and cubic spline interpolation (DFD-CSI) localization system in this article. First, according to the characteristics of commercial WiFi router generally supports 2.4- and 5-GHz dual bands, a fingerprint database is established using these two bands’ data and their difference data. The existence of difference solves the problem of device heterogeneity, while the existence of dual-frequency data makes the positioning result more robust. In addition, we also use cubic spline interpolation to upgrade the rough fingerprint database in order to reduce the time of site exploration on the premise of ensuring localization accuracy. Extensive experiments have been conducted in a campus hall. Results show that DFD-CSI is robust against altered devices and access points (APs) compared with the traditional heterogeneous devices algorithms and crowdsourcing update methods, achieving a mean error of 3.7 m and 27.5% localization error reduction with APs changed.
Impact of balsam fir flowering on pollen and foliage biochemistry in relation to spruce budworm growth, development and food utilization

The impact of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Miller) flowering on nutritional and allelochemical quality of pollen, current‐year and one‐year‐old foliage is studied in relation to spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) growth, development and utilization of food and nitrogen. In the laboratory, using fresh food from the field, we simulated conditions of low larval population density, in which there is no current‐year foliage depletion during the spruce budworm feeding period. Similarly, we simulated conditions of high larval population density when current‐year foliage depletion occurs.
Development and validation of a socio-emotional skills assessment instrument for sixth grade of Primary Education in Uruguay

The development and implementation of instruments with high psychometric standards for the assessment and monitoring of socio-emotional skills is considered an important step in the agenda for their promotion in educational contexts. This article describes the process behind the development and validation of a large-scale assessment instrument of socio-emotional skills – including interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and aspects related to motivation and self-regulation –, for sixth grade primary school-children in Uruguay. We present results regarding factor structure and internal consistency obtained in throughout three studies. We conclude that the final instrument presents proper psychometric qualities, including evidence of convergent validity. Nonetheless, it is recognized that the development of assessment instruments of this type requires continued efforts for its improvement based on a longitudinal and iterative review.
DNA Polymorphism at IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα Genes in Aseel Native chicken

Abstract Kumar, R. , Kumar, S. , Singh, D.P. and Gaur, P. 2007. DNA polymorphism at IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα genes in Aseel native chicken. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 32: 107–110. DNA polymorphism at Interleukin-2R γ-chain (IL-2Rγ) and Interleukin-15R α-chain (IL-15Rα) genes was studied by PCR-RFLP technique in 60 random bred Aseel native chicken, selected out of 251 birds, on the basis of their response to sheep erythrocytes and categorized into high, medium and low groups. Amplification of these regions yielded products of 600 and 246 bp, respectively. Hph I digestion ofIL-2Rγ PCR product generated fragments of 465, 454 bp sizes. Only one type of homozygotes (with 465 bp fragment) and heterozygotes (with both 465 and 454 bp fragments) were observed. The gene and genotypie frequencies of A and B alleles and AA and AB genotypes were 0.82 and 0.18 and 0.64 and 0.36, respectively. Alu I PCR-RFLP analysis ofIL-15Rα revealed fragments of 123 and 80 bp in all the samples; a pattern of heterozygotes. Heterozygotes at IL-2Rγ gene revealed significantly higher HA titres than the homozygote. Heterozygotes at IL-15α gene however, revealed significantly lower HA titre than the population average. Aseel breed of native chicken showed higher immunocompetence status than that reported in other chicken breeds.
Nitrogen source effects on Al toxicity in nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal pitch pine (Pinus rigida) seedlings. I. Growth and nutrition

Previous studies indicated that the association of Pisolithus tinctorius with pitch pine (Pinus rigida) seedling roots prevented Al toxicity from developing when seedlings were exposed to 200 μM Al in sand culture. The ectomycorrhizal fungus reduced seedling Al uptake and maintained P nutrition when seedlings were cultured on one-quarter strength Johnson's solution containing 3.5 and 0.5 mM and , respectively. To broaden the scope of these findings, nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal seedlings were grown on one-quarter strength Johnson's solution modified to contain , NH4NO3, or . Seedlings were exposed to 0 or 200 μM Al for 6 weeks. Reductions in seedling height growth rate and final shoot weight in response to Al occurred in nonmycorrhizal seedlings grown with . Root weights were consistently reduced by Al under all N-source combinations. Increasing proportions of , in the nutrient solution increased cation accumulation in roots and shoots and depressed tissue anion concentrations. The coprecipitation of Al.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination Tests: Comparison with Traditional Clinical Examinations in Surgery

Background: Examination methods change over time, and audits are useful for quality assurance and improvement. Objective: Comparison of traditional clinical test and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in a department of surgery. Methods: Examination records of results of the fifth year MBChB examinations for 2012–2013 (traditional) and 2014–2015 (OSCE) were analyzed. Using 50% as the pre-agreed pass mark, the pass rate for the clinical examinations in each year was calculated and these figures were subjected to t-test to determine any significant differences in each year and in type of clinical test. P value of <0.05 determined significant statistical differences in the test score. Results: We analyzed 1178 results; most (55.6%) did OSCE. The average clinical scores examinations were 59.7% for traditional vs 60.1% for OSCE examination; basic surgical skills were positively skewed. Conclusion: OSCE in the same setting of teaching and examiners may give more marks than the traditional clinical examination, but it is better at detecting areas of inadequacies for emphasis in teaching. Keywords: Clinical examination, Traditional, OSCE, Comparison
Phylogeography and recent historical biogeography of Hydroporus glabriusculus Aubé (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in the British Isles and Scandinavia

The genetic relationships of populations of the diving beetle Hydroporus glabriusculus in the British Isles and Sweden were examined using allozyme electrophoresis. H. glabriusculus is widespread in the far north of Eurasia, and occurs further south in western and central Europe as isolated relict colonies in fens whose development dates back to the early Postglacial. Study of genetic distance data reveals that the relict colonies of this insect in the British Isles do not form a distinct phylogeographic lineage, but instead belong to a number of separate groups, one of which also occurs in Sweden. Beetles from Ireland, Scotland and Norfolk appear to have diverged from each other during the Pleistocene, and colonized the British Isles in the early Postglacial in separate waves. Populations in the Norfolk Breck are closely related to the Swedish population studied, these two groups apparently having diverged during the Windermere Intersradial. All Norfolk colonies show remarkably similar depauperate levels of genetic variability, which is considered to have resulted from bottlenecking of an ancestral populaton in the Late Glacial. This study demonstrates that the recent historical biogeography of the biota of north-west Europe may be more complex than would appear from a simple consideraton of Holocene events.
THE ROLE OF FIXATION IN ELECTRON STAINING

SYNOPSIS Observations made on the influence of the fixative on staining of thin tissue sections for electron microscopy permit the following statements: After acrolein fixation it is possible to demonstrate basic proteins of the chromatin by silver impregnation. The staining appears to be mediated by the product of the reaction between the fixative and the imidazole groups of histidine. In the absence of reduced osmium (fixation by formol or acrolein or preliminary oxidation of sections of osmium-fixed tissue) conventional lead methods result in a selective staining of the ribonucleoproteins. Under the same conditions, a selective staining of the plasma membrane (or an associated substance) can be achieved by phosphotungstic acid. After formol or acrolein fixation, uranyl acetate (at pH 4.5 to 5) stains the desoxyribonucleoproteins more intensely than the ribonucleoproteins. The strongest differentiation between the nucleoproteins is found to occur after formol-osmium fixation.