Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive MultiScale Segmentations for Hyperspectral Image Classification

The number of superpixels (i.e., segmentation scale) is crucial for spectral–spatial hyperspectral image (HSI) classification. Existing methods always set the segmentation scale through a manually experimental strategy, which is time-consuming and unsuitable for various complicated practical applications. The information fusion of complementary multiple scales is proven to be more effective than the single scale for HSI classification, but the scale level is still set manually. In this article, we propose a novel adaptive multiscale segmentations (AMSs) method that can automatically provide a set of suitable scales that are adapted to different hyperspectral data. Specifically, based on the assumption that the segmentation scale of HSI is related to the image complexity itself, the texture ratio and the number of land cover classes are used to examine a candidate scale pool. A good scale means that it contains a small spectral difference between pixels within the same superpixel (intrasuperpixel discrimination index) and a large discrepancy between neighboring superpixels (intersuperpixel discrimination index). Thus, an intra–interscale discrimination index is defined and applied to depict the characteristics of the scale. Then, the scale with the best intra–inter discrimination index, which usually has satisfactory performance, is treated as the initially selected scale. The remaining suitable scales are iteratively compared with the selected ones and then added to the target scale pool, until the newly added scale can no longer provide significantly complementary information. Extensive experimental results on three HSI data sets have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed AMS when compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Temporal variations in leaf traits, chemical composition and in vitro true digestibility of four temperate fodder tree species

Context Many tree and shrub species are underestimated fodder resources due to insufficient knowledge about their potential feeding value, especially for goats. Aims The present work aimed at assessing productive and nutritional attributes of the foliage of the following four temperate tree species widespread in Europe: Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior, Salix caprea and Sorbus aucuparia. Methods Leaf length and biomass, proximate composition, fatty acid profile, phenolic composition and in vitro true dry matter digestibility were determined along the vegetative season. Key results The leaf length of the four species was significantly related to leaf biomass and can be considered as a proficient proxy for estimating leaf biomass. The differences found among the species were remarkable, although weakly related to temporal changes, especially when considering fatty acid and phenolic compositions. Fraxinus excelsior sprouts were the most productive, with a mean biomass of 13.2 g dry matter (DM) per sprout at the end of the growing season. Its foliage showed also the lowest phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 11.25 g/kg DM), resulting in the highest digestibility values (average in vitro true dry matter digestibility of 56.5 g/kg DM). Digestibility of S. aucuparia was similar, but its lower polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration (average value of 62.13 g/kg DM) could reduce the interest for this species as a feeding resource for goat dairy products with healthy properties. The lower digestibility found for A. pseudoplatanus and S. caprea (average values of 43.3 and 46.2 g/kg DM, respectively) may be related to their higher phenolic concentrations (average total extractable phenols of 45.9 and 47.3 g/kg DM, respectively). Conclusions The four species could represent an appealing feedstuff for goat nutrition, due to the valuable and complementary nutritional characteristics of their foliage. Implications The use of the studied species as fodder resource may be particularly relevant during drought periods and in the late summer when herbage quality decreases, especially in terms of crude protein and fatty acid profile.
Dexmedetomidine vs. Magnesium Sulphate as an Adjuvant to RocuroniumBromide, and Local Anaesthetic Mixture in Peribulbar Anaesthesia forViteroretinal Surgery

Background: A wide variety of additives have been used in a mixture with local anesthetics in PBA to fasten the onset, increase the potency and prolong the duration of the block to cover the long viteroretinalsurgeries. Dexmedetomidine, magnesium sulphateand rocuronium bromidehave been added to local anesthetics to achieve such goal. Patients and methods: This randomized double-blind prospective study was carried out on 96 ASA I and II patients aged 40 to 65 years who were scheduled for elective vitreoretinal surgery in Tanta university. Patients were divided randomly allocated into three groups, 32 patients in each group. Group C received the combination of 3.5 ml bupivacaine 0.5%, 3.5 ml lidocaine 2%, 0.5 ml rocuronium bromide (5 mg) plus 0.5 ml Normal saline (0.9% NaCl), group D received the same local anesthetic rocuronium mixture supplemented plus with plus 0.5 ml Dexmedetomidine (5 Group M group received the same local anesthetic rocuronium mixture plus 0.5 ml MgSO4 5% (50 mg). the onset of corneal anesthesia, time to adequate condition to begin surgery, the score and duration of akinesia, number of patients requiring supplementary injection, IOP, sedation scores, intraoperative pain, patients and surgeon’s satisfaction and incidence of complication were assessed. Results: There was no statistical significance in the onset of corneal anesthesia between all groups with p value>0.05 (Group M 2.00 ± 0.70, Group M, 2.04 ± 0.77 and Group C 2.26 ± 0.62 min). However, the time adequate to start the surgery was significantly shorter (p 0.05. No significant difference was noticed between the 3 groups regarding sedation score HR and MAP at all-time measures. As regards the akinesia score Mg group had the least akinesia score (p<0.0001) compared with the other groups in all measurement times. The VAS score and the need of supplemental dose were much higher in the control group. Patient satisfaction (p<0.0001) was best achieved in the D Group while surgeon satisfaction (p=0.01) was the best in M Group. Conclusion: Adding Mg to local anesthetic mixture in peribulbar anesthesia resulted in a fast onset, long duration and better akinesia score while Dexmedetomidine supplementation offered more patient satisfaction.
Textography as a needs analysis and research tool for English for Academic Purposes and learning development practitioners

The purpose of this paper to introduce textography as a useful method for English for academic purposes (EAP) and learning development (LD) practitioners to fill gaps in subject-specific knowledge and understanding. Textography is a research method that may be new to many practitioners. Textography combines textual analysis, usually associated with EAP, and ethnographic methods, often associated with LD, to investigate contexts, texts and practices. EAP and LD practitioners can use textography with accessible texts as initial needs analysis before reviewing literature or as a more in-depth, long-term research tool.
High-Energy Versus Thermal Neutron Contribution to Processor and Memory Error Rates

We present the results of accelerated radiation testing on an AMD accelerated processing unit, three Nvidia graphic processing units, an Intel accelerator, a field-programmable gate array, and two double-data-rate memories under thermal and high-energy neutrons separately. The sensitivity depends on the device type and the code being executed and we show that thermal neutrons contribute to the error rate of modern computing devices under certain conditions.
Simultaneous Measurement of Radial and Transversal Velocities Using Interferometric Radar

The linear velocity of an arbitrary moving object comprises two orthogonal components with reference to the observing radar, which are radial velocity and transversal velocity. Simultaneous measurement of both the radial and transversal velocities can provide a complete 2-D movement information for further target detection, tracking, and classification. The interferometric radar is capable of measuring the 2-D velocity of an arbitrary moving object simultaneously, regardless of the trajectory. However, the radial velocities and transversal velocities are coupled in the interferometric measurement due to the nonlinear processing when there are multiple moving objects in the radar field of view (FoV), thus the conventional time–frequency analysis fails to measure the transversal velocities. In this article, we first derive and analyze the signal distortion caused by the nonlinear interferometric operation. We then propose two new methods of combining the inverse Radon transform (IRT) and short-time Fourier transform (STFT), which can concentrate a sinusoidally frequency-modulated waveform from time–frequency domain into a point in the parameter domain, thus separating the transversal velocity measurements of different objects with rigid-body rotations. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
An analysis of the ability to take a rapid step forward, concerns about falling and balance in a group of older people with osteoporosis – a cross sectional study

Abstract Purpose: To describe the ability to take a rapid step forward, and to investigate the relationship between a rapid step forward, concerns about falling (CAF) and balance performance. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study including 96 elderly people, aged 66–87, with osteoporosis and fear of falling. The ability to take a rapid step forward (step execution) under single- (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions was measured, as were CAF (Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I)) and balance performance (MFE). Results: A step executed during DT takes significantly longer than during ST (p < .001). Significant differences for step execution during both ST (p = .007) and DT (p = .005) were observed when comparing participants with low CAF (FES-I < 22) and high CAF (FES-I > 23). There was a moderate correlation between balance performance and step execution (rs = 0.54) for ST and a low correlation (rs = 0.39) for DT. Little, if any correlation was found between CAF (FES-I) and step execution (rs = 0.13–0.19). Conclusion: It takes significantly longer for elderly with osteoporosis and fear of falling to execute a rapid step forward during DT than during ST. Moreover, it takes significantly longer to execute a step forward during both ST and DT for elderly people with high CAF compared to those with low CAF.
Persistent Category Ambiguity: The case of social entrepreneurship

Literature on categories recognizes that in the early stages of a category, ambiguity can arise from divergent frames used to define the category. Yet it also largely expects this ambiguity to be either temporary, or else detrimental to the survival and evolution of the category. In this study, we demonstrate and explain how, alternatively, category ambiguity can persist when multiple frames continue to be applied to a category as it progresses into maturity. Drawing on an in-depth qualitative study of the case of social entrepreneurship, we examine how and under what conditions this outcome occurs. We specify two co-occurring conditions that prompt category stakeholders to shift their framing from exclusive to inclusive, enabling category ambiguity to persist. We furthermore show how the use of category frames that draw from pre-existing resonant categories supports the persistence of category ambiguity. We contribute to literature on categories by clarifying the antecedents of category evolution towards a trajectory of persistent ambiguity.
Optimising vascular access in incident haemodialysis patients

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) are widely considered to be the optimal form of vascular access for haemodialysis incurring fewer complications, superior patency, better dialysis quality and a lower mortality than tunnelled central venous catheters (TCVCs). The use of TCVCs is associated with a six-fold increase in the risk of systemic sepsis, long-term morbidity from central vein stenosis and a higher risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality compared to AVF. Despite the relative success of strategies such as “Fistula First” and the best practice target in England and Wales (with simultaneous improvement in prevalent autologous access use) there has been no associated improvement in incident vascular access rates. The importance of “getting it right from the start” cannot be overemphasized. Patients who start dialysis via a line are more likely to remain with a line. Data from the UK Renal Registry indicate that 59.8% of patients starting on a TCVC remain dialysing via a TCVC at 3 months and >40% still have their TCVC after 1 year. The legacy of poor early vascular access decision-making remains with the patient throughout their life on dialysis. This thesis sought to evaluate methods for improving vascular access within the incident patient cohort. A multifaceted approach was taken to address several key themes: 1. TCVC complications and central vein stenosis: avoiding problems for the future. 2. Predicting maturation in incident dialysis patients. 3. Promoting maturation: strategies to optimise maturation. 4. Right access, right patient, right time: individualised, patient-centred care. 5. ‘Crashlanders’: managing patients who present without prior warning. The emphasis of this work was directed towards finding pragmatic, patient-focussed solutions to clinically relevant problems. The dogma of “Fistula First at all costs” is challenged.
Preliminary investigations of a textile fabric used as supportfor a sarcophagus from Astra Sibiu Museum

REZUMAT Preliminary investigations of a textile fabric used as support for a sarcophagus from Astra Sibiu Museum Historical textiles are fragile and more prone to damage. Regarding this inconvenience, heritage sample analyzes are quite difficult to achieve primarily due to fiber degradation, secondly due to the complex composition (the samples can also contain metallic threads or some other components) and last, but not least, because of the microbiological degradation. The samples evaluated in this paper were used as support for a wooden sarcophagus containing an Egyptian mummy which is estimated to be over 2000 years old. The purpose of this work was to carry out a preliminary characterization of the samples, using minimally invasive techniques. Thus, two types of methods were used: SEM evaluation and microbiological assessment. SEM analysis revealed that the constituent fibers for all the samples are natural fibers of animal origin: wool and alpaca fibers. SEM also provided information about the surface of the fibers and more than that, by using this equipment it was possible to visualize the degree of degradation most likely caused by the attack of insects and different types of fungi and bacteria. Bioburden isolation from the archaeological samples highlighted that the highest bioburden load was registered by sample B, followed by sample C and sample A. After the screening it was concluded that all samples present both filamentous fungi specific structures and bacteria specific structures. The future studies will be directed towards obtaining more information by microor non-destructive methods.
The majority of Lebanese have an unmet goal for ideal cardiovascular health contributing to increasing their cardiovascular risk age

The last European Society of Cardiology Guidelines highlighted that cardiovascular risk age (CRA) can be used in any population regardless of baseline risk and secular changes in mortality. This relieves the user from the need for recalibration. CRA also has the advantage of being independent of the cardiovascular (CV) endpoint used, which bypasses the dilemma of whether to use a risk estimation system based on CV mortality or on total CV events. In this study, we evaluated the unmet risk factor goals in a representative Lebanese sample and we calculated the mean CRA of the sample and compared it to the actual mean age. A random sample of Lebanese adults, residing in the Greater Beirut Area, was recruited. Interviews, physical exams, and blood tests were performed. After applying the exclusion criteria for the CRA equation on the sample population, CRA was calculated for the remaining group. A total of 490 participants were enrolled. 199 participants fit the criteria for CRA calculation. Participants of the total study population had a mean age of 45.4±15 years; whereas, the 199 participants had a mean age of 53.3±8.4 years and a mean CRA of 60±11.1 years. More than two thirds of individuals had at least three unmet goals for ideal CV health. These findings contributed to the seven-year difference between the mean CRA and the mean actual age showing that there is room for improvement in community preventive efforts.
Origin and functions of iridescent colours in hummingbirds

The study of colour can offer valuable insights into the fine details of evolutionary mechanisms. It is indeed a complex trait, which can evolve along several dimensions, and which is controlled by multiple selective pressures with often opposed effects. Yet, there is one class of colours that has received few attention from evolutionary biologists: iridescent colours. This is due to the inherent complexity of these colours and the fact that their sole quantitative measurement is a challenge in itself. During my PhD, I worked with physicists and biologists and I used optical theory to propose a new measurement method for iridescent colours. I then validated this method empirically by showing that it produced reliable and repeatable estimates for both hummingbirds and \textit{Morpho} butterflies. My work during these three years has also focused on the development of other methodological tools and software for the study of colours. I also focused more precisely on iridescent colours in hummingbirds. I mainly investigated two sides of this topic and tried to find out (i) the proximate causes of iridescence in hummingbirds: how do they produce the striking colours they are renowned for? (ii) the ultimate causes of iridescence: what are the evolutionary mechanisms which control the evolution of iridescence at the community level? I found out that the structures producing iridescence in hummingbirds are way more diverse than what we previously thought. They even display an usual type of structure which has not been described in any other group yet. I also showed that at the interspecific level, iridescent colours on the back of hummingbirds tend to be similar among species occupying the same communities, which suggests a possible role of the environment in the evolution of these colours, possibly for camouflage against predators. On the other hand, colours on the belly tend to be more similar than expected by change among co-occurring species, which suggests a role of selection for communication.
Demand Planning Information Sharing: N ZAR

: Organisations are currently faced with difficulties in effectively aligning demand plans to the volatile environments in which they operate. While operating environments and consumer needs change, capacity capabilities often do not reflect the demand plans. The absence of alignment results in inaccurate forecasts, thus putting the long- term sustainability of a business at risk. The focus and aim of the study is to understand how demand planning information are shared at N ZAR for optimal performance. A quantitative explorative case study research design is being used and data was collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire in this study. The sample size was 86, which comprised of employees from Demand and Supply Planning, Finance and Control, Sales and Marketing divisions. The sample includes top management, middle management, first level management and non-management. Data analysis uses descriptive and multivariate statistics. The study findings show most of the participants responded positively to the statements that information sharing achieves demand chain coordination. This study recommended that top management should provide full support to information sharing initiatives to facilitate the demand planning process.
A Mediator‐Free Electroenzymatic Sensing Methodology to Mitigate Ionic and Electroactive Interferents' Effects for Reliable Wearable Metabolite and Nutrient Monitoring

Wearable electroenzymatic sensors enable monitoring of clinically informative biomolecules in epidermally retrievable biofluids. Conventional wearable enzymatic sensors utilize Prussian Blue (a redox mediator) to achieve selectivity against electroactive interferents. However, the use of Prussian Blue presents fundamental challenges including: 1) the susceptibility of the sensor response to dynamic concentration variation of ionic species and 2) the poor operational stability due to the degradation of its framework. As an alternative wearable electroenzymatic sensor development methodology to bypass the aforementioned limitations, a mediator‐free sensing interface is devised, comprising of a coupled platinum nanoparticle/multiwall carbon nanotube layer and a permselective membrane. The interface is adapted to develop sensors targeting glucose, lactate, and choline (as examples of informative metabolites and nutrients), showing high degrees of sensitivity, selectivity (against a wide panel of naturally present and diverse interfering species), stability (<6.5% signal drift over 20 h operation), and reliability of sensing operation in sweat samples. By integration within a readout board, a wireless sample‐to‐answer system is realized for on‐body sweat biomarker analysis. This methodology can be adapted to target a wide panel of biomarkers in various biofluids, introducing a new sensor development direction for personal health monitoring.
Speciation of Enterococcus species: better way to deal with clinical infections at resource limited settings

Background: Enterococcus species are well known for its intrinsic resistance pattern to several antibiotics. Hence, appropriate management and prevention is essential in any healthcare facility. Present study was conducted to establish an accessible biochemical tests to differentiate Enterococcus species at resource limited settings. Methods: Enterococci isolated from various clinical specimens were speciated using an array of biochemical reactions and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: Out of 107 enterococcal isolates, 63(59%) were E. faecium, 40(37%) were E. fecalis, 2(2%) were E. hirae, 1(0.9%) was E. raffinosus and 1(0.9%) was E. gallinarum. E. faecium and E. fecalis showed 23% and 7% vancomycin resistance respectively, while E. gallinarum showed low level vancomycin resistance. Conclusions: Enterococcus speciation can be done using simple biochemical reactions and its susceptibility pattern enables to distinguish Van phenotypes too. Hence, it is helpful for management of infections in resource limited settings to a greater extent.