Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Feature-Extraction Methods for the Estimation of Above-Ground Biomass in Rice Crops

Traditional methods to measure spatio-temporal variations in above-ground biomass dynamics (AGBD) predominantly rely on the extraction of several vegetation-index features highly associated with AGBD variations through the phenological crop cycle. This work presents a comprehensive comparison between two different approaches for feature extraction for non-destructive biomass estimation using aerial multispectral imagery. The first method is called GFKuts, an approach that optimally labels the plot canopy based on a Gaussian mixture model, a Montecarlo-based K-means, and a guided image filtering for the extraction of canopy vegetation indices associated with biomass yield. The second method is based on a Graph-Based Data Fusion (GBF) approach that does not depend on calculating vegetation-index image reflectances. Both methods are experimentally tested and compared through rice growth stages: vegetative, reproductive, and ripening. Biomass estimation correlations are calculated and compared against an assembled ground-truth biomass measurements taken by destructive sampling. The proposed GBF-Sm-Bs approach outperformed competing methods by obtaining biomass estimation correlation of 0.995 with R2=0.991 and RMSE=45.358 g. This result increases the precision in the biomass estimation by around 62.43% compared to previous works.
Optimization of Position and Number of Hotspot Detectors Using Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm to Estimate Material Levels Inside a Silo

To realize efficient operation of a silo, level management of internal storage is crucial. In this study, to address the existing measurement limitations, a silo hotspot detector, which is typically utilized for internal silo temperature monitoring, was employed. The internal temperature data measured using the hotspot detectors were used to train an artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm to predict the level of the internal storage of the silo. The prediction accuracy was evaluated by comparing the predicted data with ground truth data. We combined the ANN model with the genetic algorithm (GA) to improve the prediction accuracy and establish efficient sensor installation positions and number to proceed with optimization. Simulation results demonstrated that the best predictive performance (up to 97% accuracy) was achieved when the ANN structure was 9-19-19-1. Furthermore, the numbers of efficient sensors and sensors positions determined using the proposed ANN-GA technique were reduced from seven to five or four, thereby ensuring economic feasibility.
Contemporary Outcomes after Transurethral Procedures for Bladder Neck Contracture Following Endoscopic Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objectives: Bladder neck contracture (BNC) is a bothersome complication following endoscopic treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The objective of our study was to give a more realistic insight into contemporary endoscopic BNC treatment and to evaluate and identify risk factors associated with inferior outcome. Material and Methods: We identified patients who underwent transurethral treatment for BNC secondary to previous endoscopic therapy for BPH between March 2009 and October 2016. Patients with vesico-urethral anastomotic stenosis after radical prostatectomy were excluded. Digital charts were reviewed for re-admissions and re-visits at our institutions and patients were contacted personally for follow-up. Our non-validated questionnaire assessed previous urologic therapies (including radiotherapy, endoscopic, and open surgery), time to eventual further therapy in case of BNC recurrence, and the modality of recurrence management. Results: Of 60 patients, 49 (82%) and 11 (18%) underwent transurethral bladder neck resection and incision, respectively. Initial BPH therapy was transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in 54 (90%) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in six (10%) patients. Median time from prior therapy was 8.5 (IQR 5.3–14) months and differed significantly in those with (6.5 months; IQR 4–10) and those without BNC recurrence (10 months; IQR 6–20; p = 0.046). Thirty-three patients (55%) underwent initial endoscopic treatment, and 27 (45%) repeated endoscopic treatment for BNC. In initially-treated patients, time since BPH surgery differed significantly between those with a recurrence (median 7.5 months; IQR 6–9) compared to those treated successfully (median 12 months; IQR 9–25; p = 0.01). In patients with repeated treatment, median time from prior BNC therapy did not differ between those with (4.5 months; IQR 2–12) and those without a recurrence (6 months; IQR 6–10; p = 0.6). Overall, BNC treatment was successful in 32 patients (53%). The observed success rate of BNC treatment was significantly higher after HoLEP compared to TURP (100% vs. 48%; p = 0.026). Type of BNC treatment, number of BNC treatment, and age at surgery did not influence the outcome. Conclusions: A longer time interval between previous BPH therapy and subsequent BNC incidence seems to favorably affect treatment success of endoscopic BNC treatment, and transurethral resection and incision appear equally effective. Granted the relatively small sample size, BNC treatment success seems to be higher after HoLEP compared to TURP, which warrants validation in larger cohorts.
An Umbrella Review of the Work and Health Impacts of Working in an Epidemic/Pandemic Environment

This umbrella review of reviews examined the evidence on the work and health impacts of working in an epidemic/pandemic environment, factors associated with these impacts, and risk mitigation or intervention strategies that address these factors. We examined review articles published in MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase between 2000 and 2020. Data extracted from the included reviews were analyzed using a narrative synthesis. The search yielded 1524 unique citations, of which 31 were included. Included studies were focused on health care workers and the risk of infection to COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, mental health outcomes, and health care workers’ willingness to respond during a public health event. Reviews identified a variety of individual, social, and organizational factors associated with these work and health outcomes as well as risk mitigation strategies that addressed study outcomes. Only a few reviews examined intervention strategies in the workplace such as physical distancing and quarantine, and none included long-term outcomes of exposure or work during an epidemic/pandemic. Findings suggest a number of critical research and evidence gaps, including the need for reviews on occupational groups potentially exposed to or impacted by the negative work and health effects of COVID-19 in addition to health care workers, the long-term consequences of transitioning to the post-COVID-19 economy on work and health, and research with an equity or social determinants of health lens.
Encapsulation of Bioactive Phytochemicals in Plant-Based Matrices and Application as Additives in Meat and Meat Products

The development of plant-based functional food ingredients has become a major focus of the modern food industry as a response to changes in consumer attitudes. In particular, many consumers are switching to a plant-based diet because of their concerns about animal-derived foods on the environment, human health, and animal welfare. There has therefore been great interest in identifying, isolating, and characterizing functional ingredients from botanical sources, especially waste streams from food and agricultural production. However, many of these functional ingredients cannot simply be incorporated into foods because of their poor solubility, stability, or activity characteristics. In this article, we begin by reviewing conventional and emerging methods of extracting plant-based bioactive agents from natural resources including ultrasound-, microwave-, pulsed electric field- and supercritical fluid-based methods. We then provide a brief overview of different methods to characterize these plant-derived ingredients, including conventional, chromatographic, spectroscopic, and mass spectrometry methods. Finally, we discuss the design of plant-based delivery systems to encapsulate, protect, and deliver these functional ingredients, including micelles, liposomes, emulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, and microgels. The potential benefits of these plant-based delivery systems are highlighted by discussing their use for incorporating functional ingredients into traditional meat products. However, the same technologies could also be employed to introduce functional ingredients into plant-based meat analogs.
The Proposition and Evaluation of the RoEduNet-SIMARGL2021 Network Intrusion Detection Dataset

Cybersecurity is an arms race, with both the security and the adversaries attempting to outsmart one another, coming up with new attacks, new ways to defend against those attacks, and again with new ways to circumvent those defences. This situation creates a constant need for novel, realistic cybersecurity datasets. This paper introduces the effects of using machine-learning-based intrusion detection methods in network traffic coming from a real-life architecture. The main contribution of this work is a dataset coming from a real-world, academic network. Real-life traffic was collected and, after performing a series of attacks, a dataset was assembled. The dataset contains 44 network features and an unbalanced distribution of classes. In this work, the capability of the dataset for formulating machine-learning-based models was experimentally evaluated. To investigate the stability of the obtained models, cross-validation was performed, and an array of detection metrics were reported. The gathered dataset is part of an effort to bring security against novel cyberthreats and was completed in the SIMARGL project.
Impact of Porcine Pancreas Decellularization Conditions on the Quality of Obtained dECM

Due to the limited number of organ donors, 3D printing of organs is a promising technique. Tissue engineering is increasingly using xenogeneic material for this purpose. This study was aimed at assessing the safety of decellularized porcine pancreas, together with the analysis of the risk of an undesirable immune response. We tested eight variants of the decellularization process. We determined the following impacts: rinsing agents (PBS/NH3·H2O), temperature conditions (4 °C/24 °C), and the grinding method of native material (ground/cut). To assess the quality of the extracellular matrix after the completed decellularization process, analyses of the following were performed: DNA concentration, fat content, microscopic evaluation, proteolysis, material cytotoxicity, and most importantly, the Triton X-100 content. Our analyses showed that we obtained a product with an extremely low detergent content with negligible residual DNA content. The obtained results confirmed the performed histological and immuno-fluorescence staining. Moreover, the TEM microscopic analysis proved that the correct collagen structure was preserved after the decellularization process. Based on the obtained results, we chose the most favorable variant in terms of quality and biology. The method we chose is an effective and safe method that gives a chance for the development of transplant and regenerative medicine.
A Novel Approach to 1RM Prediction Using the Load-Velocity Profile: A Comparison of Models

The study aim was to compare different predictive models in one repetition maximum (1RM) estimation from load-velocity profile (LVP) data. Fourteen strength-trained men underwent initial 1RMs in the free-weight back squat, followed by two LVPs, over three sessions. Profiles were constructed via a combined method (jump squat (0 load, 30–60% 1RM) + back squat (70–100% 1RM)) or back squat only (0 load, 30–100% 1RM) in 10% increments. Quadratic and linear regression modeling was applied to the data to estimate 80% 1RM (kg) using 80% 1RM mean velocity identified in LVP one as the reference point, with load (kg), then extrapolated to predict 1RM. The 1RM prediction was based on LVP two data and analyzed via analysis of variance, effect size (g/ηp2), Pearson correlation coefficients (r), paired t-tests, standard error of the estimate (SEE), and limits of agreement (LOA). p < 0.05. All models reported systematic bias < 10 kg, r > 0.97, and SEE < 5 kg, however, all linear models were significantly different from measured 1RM (p = 0.015 <0.001). Significant differences were observed between quadratic and linear models for combined (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.90) and back squat (p = 0.004, ηp2 = 0.35) methods. Significant differences were observed between exercises when applying linear modeling (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.67–0.80), but not quadratic (p = 0.632–0.929, ηp2 = 0.001–0.18). Quadratic modeling employing the combined method rendered the greatest predictive validity. Practitioners should therefore utilize this method when looking to predict daily 1RMs as a means of load autoregulation.
Alnus sibirica Compounds Exhibiting Anti-Proliferative, Apoptosis-Inducing, and GSTP1 Demethylating Effects on Prostate Cancer Cells

Alnus sibirica (AS) is distributed in Korea, Japan, China, and Russia and has reported anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and reducing activities on atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions, along with other beneficial health properties. In the present study, we tried to prove the cancer-preventive activity against prostate cancer. The extracted and isolated compounds, oregonin (1), hirsutenone (2), and hirsutanonol (3), which were isolated from AS, were tested for anti-proliferative activity. To do this, we used the MTT assay; NF-κB inhibitory activity, using Western blotting; apoptosis-inducing activity using flow cytometry; DNA methylation activity, using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cell lines. The compounds (1–3) showed potent anti-proliferative activity against both prostate cancer cell lines. Hirsutenone (2) exhibited the strongest NF-κB inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activities compared with oregonin (1) and hirsutanonol (3). DNA methylation activity, which was assessed for hirsutenone (2), revealed a concentration-dependent enhancement of the unmethylated DNA content and a reduction in the methylated DNA content in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Overall, these findings suggest that hirsutenone (2), when isolated from AS, may be a potential agent for preventing the development or progression of prostate cancer.
Predictors for Depression, Sleep Disturbance, and Subjective Pain among Inpatients with Depressive Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can have a negative impact on patients with mood disorders. The aim of this study is to explore the societal influence of COVID-19 and associated impacts on levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain among patients with mood disorders. This cross-sectional study recruited inpatients with depression and bipolar disorder. Levels of depression, sleep disturbance, subjective pain, and related demographic variables were collected through self-reported questionnaires. Potential factors associated with levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain were identified using univariate linear regression and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify the independent predictors. A total of 119 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 50.42% had bipolar disorder and 49.58% had unipolar depression. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher level of depression was associated with female subjects, subjects with partners, present history of psychological trauma, and drinking alcohol. Sleep disturbance was associated with subjects with partners and drinking alcohol. A higher level of subjective pain was associated with a higher level of social anxiety and a history of psychological trauma. The current study identified several predictors of psychological burden and subjective pain among inpatients with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are warranted to extend the application and generalizability of our results.
Bevacizumab Arrests Osteoarthritis Progression in a Rabbit Model: A Dose-Escalation Study

Cartilage neoangiogenesis holds a prominent role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. This study aimed to assess the efficacy bevacizumab, an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibitor of angiogenesis, in a rabbit OA model. Animals were divided into four groups: one receiving a sham intra-articular knee injection and three groups undergoing 5, 10, and 20 mg intra-articular bevacizumab injections. The effect of the antibody on articular cartilage and synovium was assessed through histology and quantified with the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores. Immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate type 2 collagen, aggrecan, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) expression. Bevacizumab treatment led to a significant reduction of cartilage degeneration and synovial OA changes. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly lower cartilage MMP-13 expression levels in all experimental groups, with the one receiving 20 mg bevacizumab showing the lowest. The antibody also resulted in increased production of aggrecan and type 2 collagen after administration of 5, 10, and 20 mg. The group treated with 20 mg showed the highest levels of type 2 collagen, while aggrecan content was even higher than in the healthy cartilage. Intra-articular bevacizumab has been demonstrated to effectively arrest OA progression in our model, with 20 mg being the most efficacious dose.
Building a Flower: The Influence of Cell Wall Composition on Flower Development and Reproduction

Floral patterning is a complex task. Various organs and tissues must be formed to fulfill reproductive functions. Flower development has been studied, mainly looking for master regulators. However, downstream changes such as the cell wall composition are relevant since they allow cells to divide, differentiate, and grow. In this review, we focus on the main components of the primary cell wall—cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectins—to describe how enzymes involved in the biosynthesis, modifications, and degradation of cell wall components are related to the formation of the floral organs. Additionally, internal and external stimuli participate in the genetic regulation that modulates the activity of cell wall remodeling proteins.
Effects of Conventional and Bokashi Hydroponics on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Quality Attributes of Bell Peppers

Due to consumers’ awareness and concern about nutrition and health in different parts of the world, the adoption of organic hydroponics is increasing. This has led to a search for organic nutrient media. One of the viable nutrient sources for organic hydroponics is bokashi compost. The principal objective of this study was to compare the performance of 10% bokashi hydroponics with convention hydroponics for bell pepper production. The different hydroponics influenced vegetative growth parameters largely due to considerable differences in the mineral elements in both hydroponic systems. Stems of conventionally grown plants were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) thicker (10.2 mm) compared to those of the bokashi grown plants (7.3 mm). Conventionally grown plants had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher photosynthetic performance than bokashi grown plants; normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (78.80 versus 67.49), soil plant analysis development (SPAD; 73.89 versus 38.43), and quantum yield (QY; 0.64 versus 0.49). Leaf superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the leaves of bokashi grown plants (0.32 units/mg protein) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower than in the leaves of conventionally grown plants (0.37 units/mg protein). This also corresponded to significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher leaf sap content in the conventionally grown plant than bokashi grown plants. Furthermore, conventional hydroponics yielded three-fold greater pepper fruit per plant compared to bokashi. After 14 days of storage at 7 °C and 95% relative humidity, the firmness of both groups declined, especially for the bokashi grown fruit (27.73 shore unit), which was significantly lower compared to conventionally grown fruit (35.65 shore unit). However, there was an increase in carotenoid content in fruit grown in both hydroponic systems after storage. In conclusion, although bell pepper plant was successfully cultivated in bokashi hydroponics, the plant performance, fruit yield and postharvest quality were lower than conventional hydroponics. We believe that this study and its approach will provide future research with baseline information on optimizing media of bokashi hydroponics to produce bell pepper.
Transdermal Delivery of Chemotherapeutics: Strategies, Requirements, and Opportunities

Chemotherapeutic drugs are primarily administered to cancer patients via oral or parenteral routes. The use of transdermal drug delivery could potentially be a better alternative to decrease the dose frequency and severity of adverse or toxic effects associated with oral or parenteral administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. The transdermal delivery of drugs has shown to be advantageous for the treatment of highly localized tumors in certain types of breast and skin cancers. In addition, the transdermal route can be used to deliver low-dose chemotherapeutics in a sustained manner. The transdermal route can also be utilized for vaccine design in cancer management, for example, vaccines against cervical cancer. However, the design of transdermal formulations may be challenging in terms of the conjugation chemistry of the molecules and the sustained and reproducible delivery of therapeutically efficacious doses. In this review, we discuss the nano-carrier systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, etc., used in recent literature to deliver chemotherapeutic agents. The advantages of transdermal route over oral and parenteral routes for popular chemotherapeutic drugs are summarized. Furthermore, we also discuss a possible in silico approach, Formulating for Efficacy™, to design transdermal formulations that would probably be economical, robust, and more efficacious.