Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Diabetic Clinical Score (DCS): evaluation of a simple standardised quantification tool to allow rapid description of clinical signs in diabetic cats

Hyperthyroidism is reported to cause pyrexia of unknown origin. In one study, 19% of hyperthyroid cats had an increased body temperature, however we rarely observe increased rectal temperature (RT) in our hyperthyroid cats. The aims of this study were to document the RT of hyperthyroid cats preand post-treatment and compare their median RT and the proportion of hyperthermic/pyrexic cats to a control population. A further aim was to investigate the correlation between RT and total T4. Data from cats presented to a veterinary teaching hospital between 1/1/2010 and 1/10/2015 were reviewed. Pretreatment hyperthyroid cats were included if total T4 >50 nmol/l and a RT measured within +/–6 days were recorded. Post-treatment cases were included if, following management, total T4 <50 nmol/L and a RT was recorded within +/–6 days. A control group consisted of cats with the subsequent case number, a recorded RT and no record of hyperthyroidism. Kolmogirov-Smirnov tests of normality were performed and Pearson’s correlation, Z-test and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed when appropriate. p<0.05 was considered significant. The median total T4 of 117 cats with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism was 185 nmol/L (range: 50.3–990 nmol/L). Their median RT 38.2°C (range: 36.9–40.1°C). Seven (5.98%) were hyperthermic/pyrexic (RT>39.2°C). There was no correlation between RT and total T4 (Pearson’s correlation coefficient 0.018, p=0.85). Twenty six of these cats had an RT recorded when they were no longer hyperthyroid (total T4<50nmol/L). The median RT at this time was 37.8°C (range: 36.7–38.9°C) which was a median of 0.5°C (range: –1.3 to +1.6°C) lower than their RT pre-treatment (p=0.003). The median temperature of the 70 cats in the control group was 38.4°C (range: 33.0–40.6°C). This was not significantly different to the median RT of the hyperthyroid cats pre-treatment (p=0.66). Seven (10.00%) of the control cats were hyperthermic/pyrexic which was not significantly different to the proportion of hyperthermic/pyrexic cats in the pre-treatment hyperthyroid group. Six percent of hyperthyroid cats had hyperthermia/pyrexia pre-treatment which was no different to the proportion in our control population. The hyperthyroid cat’s pre-treatment RTs were not correlated with total T4. Following successful treatment, there was a significant reduction in RT. This suggests that high total T4 may increase the cat’s RT but it rarely results in temperatures above the normal range and other causes of pyrexia/hyperthermia should be sought in these cats.
Progression of Anterograde Trans-Synaptic Degeneration in the Human Retina Is Modulated by Axonal Convergence and Divergence

ABSTRACT In the visual pathway of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the inner nuclear layer (INL) of the retina is a tight barrier for retrograde trans-synaptic degeneration. In this observational, retrospective cross-sectional study, segmented macular spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) volume scans were reviewed to investigate if this observation also holds true for anterograde trans-synaptic degeneration. Significant thinning was found in all retinal layers in patients with outer retinal diseases compared with the healthy controls, while there was no significant attenuation of the outer retina in patients with MS. In contrast to the tight barrier function observed with retrograde trans-synaptic degeneration, the INL appears to be more permissive for the propagation of anterograde trans-synaptic degeneration. We speculate that this may be due to the size of the area affected and be explained by convergence and divergence of axons within the retinal layers. These findings are likely relevant to future restorative stem cell treatment of the outer retinal layers, as time may matter.
Human immunodeficiency virus testing and linkage-to-care in South Africa: an epidemiological and economic evaluation of expansion

This thesis evaluates the cost-effectiveness of eight policies expanding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in South Africa. All policies entail provider-initiated test offers for primary healthcare users and one of two options across three policy components: (i) consent method, opt-in or opt-out; (ii) test protocol, rapid only or rapid plus acute infection testing; and (iii) linkage-to-care, standard or enhanced. This thesis highlights four methodological issues. First is the challenge of conducting a population-level analysis, projecting the cost-effectiveness of expanded testing for each member of South Africa’s adult African population. To this end, I conducted a retrospective, descriptive study to measure current population-level testing rates and epidemic descriptors in an African community near Cape Town, South Africa. Second, the effects of testing expansion on current testing uptake were estimated by distinguishing testing in the study community likely to cease after testing expansion (baseline testing) from that likely to continue (background testing). Third, because testing alone is an outcome of less interest than health benefits following treatment, study community linkage-to-care probabilities were estimated and models utilized to estimate the efficacy of treatment. Fourth, the methods to convert the study community testing data into inputs for these models’ parameters are outlined. The enhanced linkage-to-care policies proved the most cost-effective, with opt-in testing and a rapid-only test protocol the least expensive cost-effective option at $848 per life year gained (LYG). Adding an opt-out consent method or acute infection test protocol to this policy increased the LYGs, but at higher cost-effectiveness ratios.
Context modeling using a common sensedatabase

Common sense databases are collections of human commonsense knowledge. With these databases available, a lot ofpossibilities arise regarding understanding human languageand putting it into a context. This essay aims to discusshow a common sense database could be used to enable amore human-like grasp of context in conversational agents.To try out the possibilities of context modeling using thesedatabases we built a prototype that uses the knowledge baseConceptNet. Our tests showed that there are some issueswith ConceptNet for our purposes regarding the quality ofthe data. However, we were still able to find some interestingprevious research in the area, and were able to getsome useful results using our prototype.
Developing Energy-Aware Strategies for the Blackfin Processor

Abstract : Energy usage is becoming an increasingly important design constraint for all computer systems. This issue is particularly critical in battery powered, embedded designs. Although many embedded processors have developed sophisticated power management schemes, few have produced an accurate, easy-to-use energy estimation framework. In this presentation we will describe the development of an instruction-level energy modeling framework for the Analog Devices Blackfin family of processors. Using this model, we are able to accurately estimate the energy consumed when running this code. While our main goal is to demonstrate that we can perform accurate energy estimation, we also plan to develop a framework that is fully integrated with compilation in order to produce more energy-efficient binaries. In this abstract we briefly describe our methodology and show data that illustrate some of the difficulties encountered when attempting to statically model energy.
Minimax Error of Interpolation and Optimal Design of Experiments for Variable Fidelity Data

Engineering problems often involve data sources of variable fidelity with different costs of obtaining an observation. In particular, one can use both a cheap low fidelity function (e.g. a computational experiment with a CFD code) and an expensive high fidelity function (e.g. a wind tunnel experiment) to generate a data sample in order to construct a regression model of a high fidelity function. The key question in this setting is how the sizes of the high and low fidelity data samples should be selected in order to stay within a given computational budget and maximize accuracy of the regression model prior to committing resources on data acquisition. In this paper we obtain minimax interpolation errors for single and variable fidelity scenarios for a multivariate Gaussian process regression. Evaluation of the minimax errors allows us to identify cases when the variable fidelity data provides better interpolation accuracy than the exclusively high fidelity data for the same computational budget. These results allow us to calculate the optimal shares of variable fidelity data samples under the given computational budget constraint. Real and synthetic data experiments suggest that using the obtained optimal shares often outperforms natural heuristics in terms of the regression accuracy.
Reduction of Experimental Error in Perennial Crops,Using Adjustment by Neighbouring Plots

Methods of adjusting plots by their neighbours are discussed as a means of reducing experimental error independently of the blocking structure. Six cases are described, using from two to eight neighbouring trees with single and double covariance. The method was applied to trials of various perennial fruit crops from different parts of the world. Most trials have their experimental errors reduced, although there were exceptions. The technique was particularly successful with tea but unsuccessful with apples. Double covariance was superior to single covariance and generally the more trees used for adjustment the larger the reduction in error.
Assemblage de films polymères par réaction click électrocontrôlée

Les multicouches de polyelectrolytes, systemes auto-assembles par adsorptions successives de polycations et polyanions, peinent a trouver des applications concretes en raison de leur fragilite mecanique et du temps necessaire a leur assemblage. Pour ameliorer leur tenue mecanique, nous avons developpe une methode d'assemblage couche-par-couche par liaisons covalentes de films polymeres. Des films formes de polymeres portant des groupements alcynes et azides ont ainsi ete reticules par une reaction click catalysee par les ions Cu+ obtenus par voie electrochimique. Pour ameliorer le mode d'assemblage, l'auto-construction en une seule etape de films par approche morphogenique, a ete developpee. Cette approche, confinee a la surface et caracterisee par la presence en solution de l'ensemble des constituants, marque une rupture. Elle permet ainsi un controle spatial de l'assemblage des films et la combinaison de plusieurs modes d'interactions pendant leur assemblage. Des films dont la cohesion repose sur des interactions covalentes, hotes-invites et supramoleculaires, ont ainsi ete assembles. L'introduction de nanoparticules metalliques dans les films (multicouches et auto-construits) a egalement ete effectuee dans le but de developper des electrodes de grande surface specifique.
Performance Analysis of Iterative Soft Interference Cancellation Algorithms and New Link Adaptation Strategies for Coded MIMO Systems.

Les systemes de communication sans fil actuels evoluent vers un renforcement des reactivites des protocles de la gestion des ressources radio (RRM) et adaptation du lien radipe (FLA) afin d'optimiser conjointement les couches MAC et PHY. En parallele, la technologie d'antenne multiples et turbo recepteurs avances ont un grand potentiel pour augmenter l’efficacite spectrale dans les futurs systemes de communication sans fil. Ces deux tendances, a savoir, l'optimisation inter couche et le traitement de turbo, necessitent le developpement de nouvelles abstractions de la couche PHY (aussi appelee methode de prediction de la performance) qui peuvent capturer les performances du recepteur iteratif par iteration pour permettre l'introduction en douceur de ces recepteurs avances dans FLA et RRM.La these de doctorat revisite en detail l'architecture du turbo recepteur, plus particulierement, la classe d'algorithme iteratif effectuant la detection lineaire par minimisation d’erreur quadratique moyenne avec l'annulation d’interference (LMMSE-IC). Ensuite, une methode semi-analytique de prediction de la performance est proposee pour analyser son l'evolution par la modelisation stochastique de chacun des composants. Intrinsequement, la methode de prediction de la performance est subordonnee a la disposition de connaissance d’information d’etat du canal au niveau du recepteur (CSIR), le type de codage de canal (code convolutif ou un code turbo), le nombre de mots de code ainsi que le type d’information probabilistic sur les bits codes reinjectee par le decodeur pour la reconstruction et l'annulation d'interference a l'interieur d’algorithme de LMMSE -IC iteratif.Dans la deuxieme partie, l’adaptation du lien en boucle fermee dans les systemes MIMO codes bases sur les abstractions de la couche PHY proposees pour les recepteurs LMMSE -IC iteratifs ont ete abordes. Le schema propose d'adaptation de liaison repose sur un faible taux de retroaction et exploite la selection du precodeur spatiale (par exemple, la selection d'antennes) et du schema de modulation et de codage (MCS) de facon a maximiser le taux moyen soumis a une contrainte de taux d'erreur de bloc. Differents schemas de codage sont testes, tels qu’un codage parcourant tous les antennes ou un codage par antenne. Les simulations montrent bien le gain important obtenu avec les turbo recepteurs comparee a celui d’un recepteur MMSE classique.
Carbon indices to assess quality of management systems in a Subtropical Acrisol

: Management systems to improve soil quality are essential for agricultural and environmental sustainability. We assessed the quality of soil management systems applied to a subtropical Acrisol in terms of the carbon management index (CMI), the stratification ratio for total organic carbon (SR-TOC) and light fraction of organic matter (SR-LF). In addition, we examined their relationship to chemical, physical and biological soil quality indicators, as well as to maize yield. The study was conducted on a long-term experiment (18 years) in southern Brazil involving two different systems [no tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)], two cropping systems [black oat/maize (O/M) and black oat + vetch/maize + cowpea (OV/MC)] and two nitrogen fertilizer rates for maize (0 and 180 kg ha –1 ). Based on the three indices, the best managements for soil quality comprised NT (50-212 % better than CT), legume cover crops (10-47 % better than O/M) and N fertilization (8-33 % better than no fertilizer). All three indices proved accurate to assess the impact of soil management systems, especially SR-LF, which showed increased sensitivity and close relationships with chemical, physical and biological soil quality indicators. On the other hand, a poor relationship was observed between soil C indices and maize yield, which was improved only by legume cover crops and N fertilization. The results showed that the association of no-till system to an abundant supply of crop residues is key to ensure high soil quality and crop yields in humid subtropical regions.
Enhancing 15N-uptake in maize (Zea mays L.) by native Trichoderma spp. strains in Central Mexico

A study was undertaken to evaluate the role of Trichoderma strains on 15N-uptake by maize under greenhouse and field conditions. The Trichoderma strains were isolated from different maize production systems in Guanajuato State, Central Mexico. A total of 39 Trichoderma isolates were obtained, 23 correspond to Trichoderma harzianum (Intra-Genic-Segment). Some colonized the endorhizosphere of maize better than others; however, Trichoderma diversity did not correlate with the maize production system (rainfall vs. irrigation conditions). In greenhouse conditions, biomass production and 15N-uptake were equally variable; maize plants inoculated with selected Trichoderma species (high root colonization) and fertilized with 140 mg N kg-1 soil, showed similar increase in grain yield and 15N-uptake vs. those fertilized with 280 mg N kg-1 soil. Biomass and 15N-uptake directly correlated with the capacity of Trichoderma spp. to colonize the rhizosphere. Under field conditions, the N-fertilizer use efficiency was the highest when maize cv. P30G40 was inoculated with T. harzianum T35 at a N fertilization rate of 180 kg N ha-1 (78%). All measured parameters showed positive effects of inoculation under-scoring the feasibility of inoculants with these fungi based on Trichoderma to increase the N-fertilizer use efficiency applied to maize. Key words: Biofertilizers, N-fertilizer use efficiency, 15N isotope.
Discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS by health care students of Islamic University in Uganda

In May 2016, the World Health Assembly developed the Global Health Sector Strategy on HIV for 2016–2021 which strives to ensure zero HIV related discrimination especially in health institutions and settings. The main objective of this study is to determine the influence of HIV/AIDS fear, knowledge and attitude on discrimination of PLWHA by health care students. A cross sectional design was used for the study while stratified sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) while bivariate (chi square) was used to make inference regarding the entire population. Results indicate that a majority, 133 (67.2%) of the respondents, were found to have low levels of discrimination. Over half of the respondents, 114 (57.6%), entertained high fear on HIV/AIDS issues. Almost all the respondents, 189 (95.5%), had high knowledge of HIV/AIDS. On HIV/AIDS related attitude majority of the respondents, 115 (58.1%), had positive attitudes. Fear and knowledge do not influence discrimination of PLWHA, while attitude towards HIV/AIDS patients influences discrimination of PLWHA. The findings on the level of discrimination of PLWHA by health care students calls for concerted efforts by the management of IUIU, tutors in School of Nursing and relevant HIV/AIDS agencies and donors to harmonize strategies and actions towards addressing discrimination of PLWHA in order to achieve global and national aspirations of zero discrimination. There is need for tutors in School of Nursing to ensure appropriate delivery of HIV/AIDS instruction targeting behavioral (negative attitude) aspects of HIV/AIDS discrimination in order to ensure its reduction and possible termination.
Using a nitrogen mineralization index will improve soil productivity rating by artificial neural networks

ABSTRACT In the Pampas, nitrogen fertilization rates are low and soil organic matter impacts crop yield. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield was related to total soil nitrogen (total N) and to nitrogen mineralization potential (mineralized N) to determine whether the effects of organic matter may be attributed to its capacity to act as a nitrogen source or to the improvement of the soil physical condition. Data of 386 sites from throughout the region comprised in a recent soil survey were used, in which climate and soil properties to 1 m depth were determined. Artificial neural networks were applied for total N and mineralized N estimation using climate and soil variables as inputs (R2 = 0.59–0.70). The models allowed estimating total N and mineralizable N at county scale and related them to statistical yield information. Neural networks were also used for yield prediction. The best productivity model fitted (R2 = 0.85) showed that wheat yield could be predicted by rainfall, the photothermal quotient, and mineralized N. The soil organic matter effect on crop yield seems to be mainly related to its nitrogen mineralization capacity. Using mineralized N as predictor would be a valuable tool for rating soil productivity.
Medical Error and Medical Truth: The Placebo Effect and Room for Choice in Ayurveda

I attempt to relativize allopathic medicine, or Modern Establishment Medicine (MEM), specifically in the context of the ayurvedic medical system of India, and to promote Daniel Moerman’s concept of the medical “meaning response” as a preferable conceptualization of the phenomena usually subsumed under the name “placebo. ” Finally, I suggest that once these steps have been taken, a space opens up in which informed ayurvedic practice – indeed, any human activities aimed at promoting health – may find a valid place.
Upper limb weight-bearing effect on the body alignment of individuals with cerebral palsy who have spastic hemiparesis: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients who have spastic hemiparesis usually present asymmetrical weight shift between the affected and non-affected side. Objective: To assess the effects of upper limb (UL) weight-bearing exercises on trunk symmetry, weight shift to the affected side and possible secondary effects on gait (speed and quality). Method: eleven participants with CP were randomized into two groups: Intervention Group (IG) and Control Group (CG); IG (n = 6) performed stretching exercises of the major muscle groups of UL and lower limbs (LL) and UL weight-bearing exercises in prone and seated position for 12 weeks. The CG (n = 5) did not undergo any kind of motor therapy during the study period but received the same exercises that IG after the study. The variables analyzed were: Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88); Pediatric Berg Scale; Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS); Six-minute walking test (6MWT); Ten meters walking test (10MWT); Timed Up & Go (TUG); Edinburgh Visual Gait Scale (EVGS); and ground reaction force. Results: The IG showed improvement on 6MWT, TUG, TIS and Pediatric Berg Scale (p < 0.01), and CG showed improvement on GMFM-88 (p < 0.04) only for the intragroup analysis. Conclusion: The exercises were effective to improve static and dynamic balance, increasing gait speed and identifying a trend of improvement on body alignment and weight shift to the affected side.
Analysis and Extraction of Structural Features of Off-line Handwritten Letters Based on Principal Curves

Extraction and choice of features are critical to improve the recognition rate of off-line handwritten letters.Principal curves are nonlinear generalizations of principal components analysis.They are smooth self-consistent curves that pass through the "middle" of the distribution.They preferably reflect the structural features of the data.Firstly principal curves were used to extract the structural features of training data.Secondly we chose the classification features used for letters coarse classification and precise classification by analyzing the structural features of principal curves in detail.Finally we separately carried out coarse classification and precise classification in the handwritten letters recognition,and we used fuzzy mathematics method to classify several similar letter once again.The CEDAR handwritten lowercase letter database was used in the experiment.The result of experiment shows that these features have good discriminating power of similar letters.The proposed method can effectively improve the recognition rate of off-line handwritten letters and provide a new approach to the research for off-line handwritten words recognition.