Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental effects on the reproduction and fecundity of the introduced calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The calcareous sponge Paraleucilla magna (Porifera, Calcarea) has been the subject of several studies in the last decade. It was first described along the Brazilian coast, where it is considered cryptogenic, and was subsequently found in the Mediterranean, where it is considered invasive. The wide artificial distribution of this species allows us to compare different aspects of the biology of an introduced species in different locations. Here, we analysed the effects of selected environmental parameters on the reproductive dynamics of P. magna in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) over 18 months and compared our results with those obtained for the same species in the Mediterranean Sea. Specimens were collected monthly and analysed through histological methods. The density of reproductive elements in each month was calculated, and the effects of environmental parameters (photoperiod, precipitation, temperature, phytoplankton and bacterioplankton) were analysed using a regression tree analysis. Paraleucilla magna was reproductive throughout the study period. The densities of the reproductive elements (oocytes, embryos and larvae) showed no seasonality, and this species presented one of the highest reproductive efforts documented to date in the phylum Porifera (99.0 oocytes · mm−3; 89.0 embryos · mm−3; 319.0 larvae · mm−3). The main environmental parameters related to the reproduction of P. magna were temperature, photoperiod and bacterioplankton. Temperature was the main driver associated with the densities of oocytes and embryos, while bacterioplankton was the main driver of larvae (positive relationships). In Rio de Janeiro, larvae were present and continuously released. This strategy is different from that observed in the Mediterranean, where a larger larval output was observed but only during the summer months. Our results show that P. magna is a species with a strong invasive potential, considering its high and continuous reproductive effort. This high fecundity stimulated by high temperatures may be a key factor contributing to the growth of P. magna populations and its invasion of new areas.
A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis of Mozart's Music for drug-resistant epilepsy

Abstract Background: This study will aim to assess the effectiveness of Mozart's Music (MM) for the management of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Methods: In this study, we will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, Chinese Scientific Journal Database Information, WANGFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from their inauguration to March 1, 2020 without language and publication time restrictions. We will also identify other literature resources, such as reference lists of any related reviews. Trial quality will be examined by Cochrane risk of bias tool; reporting bias will be identified by a funnel plot and Egger test; and statistical analysis will be undertaken by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: This study will summarize high quality randomized controlled trials to appraise the effectiveness and safety of MM for the treatment of patients with DRE. Conclusions: The findings of this study will supply evidence to judge whether MM is effective on DRE at evidence-based medicine level. Study registration number: CRD42020170512.
Dynamics of item reading and answer changing in two hearings in a computerized while-listening performance test: an eye-tracking study

Abstract The aim of the present study is two-fold. First, it uses eye-tracking to investigate the dynamics of item reading, both in multiple choice and matching items, before and during two hearings of listening passages in a computerized while-listening performance (WLP) test. Second, it investigates answer changing during the two hearings, which include four rounds of item reading taking place during: pre-listening in hearing 1, while-listening in hearing 1, pre-listening in hearing 2, and while-listening in hearing 2. The listening test was completed by 28 secondary school students in different sessions. Using time series, cross-correlation functions, and multivariate data analyses, we found that listeners tended to quickly skim the test items, distractors, and answers during pre-listening in hearing 1 and pre-listening in hearing 2. By contrast, during while-listening in hearing 1 and while-listening in hearing 2, significantly more attention was paid to the written stems, distractors, and options. The increment in attention to the written stems, distractors, and options was greater for the matching items and interactions between item format and item reading were also detected. Additionally, we observed a mixed answer changing pattern (i.e., incorrect-to-correct and correct-to-incorrect), although the dominant pattern for both item formats (67%) was wrong-to-correct. Implications of the findings for language research are discussed.
Graphical enhancements to summary receiver operating characteristic plots to facilitate the analysis and reporting of meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy data

Diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) systematic reviews are conducted to summarize evidence on the accuracy of a diagnostic test including a critical evaluation of the primary studies. Where appropriate, the evidence is meta‐analyzed to obtain pooled estimates of effectiveness.In this study, we reviewed and critiqued three DTA guidance documents with respect to the graphical presentation of DTA meta‐analysis results. All three documents recommended the use of two forms of graphical presentation: (a) forest plots displaying meta‐analysis results for sensitivity (ie, the true positive rate) and specificity (ie, true negative rate) separately, and (b) Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curve to provide a global summary of test performance. Two primary shortcomings were identified: (a) lack of incorporation of quality assessment results into the main analysis and; (b) ambiguity with which the contribution of individual studies is represented on SROC curves. In response, two alternative graphical approaches were developed: A quality assessment enhanced SROC plot which displays the results from individual studies in the meta‐analysis with multiple indicators of quality assessed using QUADAS‐2; and A percentage study weights enhanced SROC plot which accurately portrays the percentage contribution each study makes to the meta‐analysis. The proposed enhanced SROC curves facilitate the exploration of DTA data, leading to a deeper understanding of the primary studies included in a DTA meta‐analysis including identifying reasons for between study heterogeneity and why specific study results may be divergent. Both plots can easily be produced in the free online interactive application, MetaDTA (https://crsu.shinyapps.io/dta_ma/).
Eradication of an invasive cyprinid (Gila bicolor) to achieve water quality goals in Diamond Lake, Oregon (USA)

Abstract We used a case study of whole-lake fish removal to demonstrate the importance of the fish community to nutrient cycling in Diamond Lake, Oregon, USA, to meet regulated water quality standards for pH, dissolved oxygen and nuisance algae. The cyprinid tui chub (Gila bicolor) was removed through a process beginning with netting and ending with a whole-lake and tributary rotenone treatment in September 2006. The lake was stocked with rainbow trout in spring 2007. Between 2007 and 2009, lake transparency increased 250%, accompanied by decreases in epilimnetic pH, total nitrogen, and total organic carbon. Mean concentrations of total phosphorus and ortho-phosphorus remained unchanged in epilimnetic waters. Chlorophyll a, phytoplankton biovolume, Anabaena biovolume, and Anabaena cell density declined. Daphnia pulicaria, a large herbivorous cladoceran virtually absent for 10 years, returned in abundance, and benthic biomass increased more than 12-fold. The project successfully demonstrated that water quality and fishery goals can be met through eradication of the invasive cyprinid. Fish populations need to be considered in some lakes to achieve water quality standards.
The effect of aging and antioxidants on photoreactivity and phototoxicity of human melanosomes: An in vitro study

Aging may significantly modify antioxidant and photoprotective properties of melanin in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here, photoreactivity of melanosomes (MS), isolated from younger and older human donors with and without added zeaxanthin and α‐tocopherol, was analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry, time‐resolved singlet oxygen phosphorescence, and protein oxidation assay. The phototoxic potential of ingested melanosomes was examined in ARPE‐19 cells exposed to blue light. Phagocytosis of FITC‐labeled photoreceptor outer segments (POS) isolated from bovine retinas was determined by flow cytometry. Irradiation of cells fed MS induced significant inhibition of the specific phagocytosis with the effect being stronger for melanosomes from older than from younger human cohorts, and enrichment of the melanosomes with antioxidants reduced the inhibitory effect. Cellular protein photooxidation was more pronounced in samples containing older melanosomes, and it was diminished by antioxidants. This study suggests that blue light irradiated RPE melanosomes could induce substantial inhibition of the key function of the cells—their specific phagocytosis. The data indicate that while photoreactivity of MS and their phototoxic potential increase with age, they could be reduced by selected natural antioxidants.
Structural defects and the diagnosis of amyloidogenic propensity

Disease-related amyloidogenic propensity has been unexpectedly found in proteins driven to adopt a monomeric uncomplexed state at high concentrations under near-physiological conditions. This situation occasionally arises in new health treatments, such as kidney dialysis. Assuming that under such conditions a partial retention of native structure takes place, this work identifies a structural characteristic indicating amyloidogenic propensity: a high density of backbone hydrogen bonds exposed to water attack in monomeric structure. On this basis, we propose a diagnostic tool based on the identification of hydrogen bonds with a paucity of intramolecular dehydration or “wrapping. ” We use this predictor to identify potentially pathogenic mutations that foster amyloidogenic propensity in human prions. Such mutations either enhance the intramolecular dehydration of β-sheet hydrogen bonds, thus stabilizing the nucleus for rearrangement into the scrapie fold, or contribute to the destabilization of the cellular form by introducing additional underwrapped hydrogen bonds. Our predictions are consistent with known disease-related mutations and lead to a cogent explanation of the pathogenic nature of specific mutations affecting the cellular prion protein structural wrapping. On the other hand, a different wrapping of a very similar fold, mouse doppel, induces a dramatically different level of amyloidogenic propensity, suggesting that the packing within the fold, and not the fold itself, contains the signal for aggregation.
Spectral-Spatial Feature Transformations With Controlling Contextual Information Through Smoothing Filtering and Morphological Analysis

— A fusion method for spectral-spatial classification of hyperspectral images is proposed in this paper. In the proposed framework, at first, the dimension of hyperspectral image is reduced by several state-of-the-art spectral feature extraction methods, i.e., Binary Coding Based Feature Extraction (BCFE), Clustering Based Feature Extraction (CBFE), Feature Extraction Based on Ridge Regression (FERR), Feature Extraction Using Attraction Points (FEUAP), Feature Extraction using Weighted Training samples (FEWT), and Feature Space Discriminant Analysis (FSDA). Then, the spatial features are calculated from the spectral features extracted from each spectral feature extraction method individually using the proposed smoothing filters and morphological operators. Finally, majority voting decision rule is used to obtain the final classification map. The proposed framework, in addition to removing the useless spatial information such as noise and distortions, adds useful spatial information such as shape and size of objects presented in scene image. The use of complement information obtained from six spectral feature extraction methods with different ideas for class discrimination, significantly improves the classification results. The proposed framework provides in average 6.64%, 7.07%, 8.23%, 7.52% and 20.52% improvement in classification results of three real hyperspectral images compared to generalized composite kernel (GCK), multiple feature learning (MFL), weighted joint collaborative representation (WJCR), original hyperspectral bands stacked on extended morphological profile (HS+EMP) and original hyperspectral bands (HS), respectively in terms of overall accuracy.
Moderators of Psychosocial Treatment for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Summary and Recommendations for Future Directions

ABSTRACT This brief report examines the evidence for moderators of psychosocial treatment for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Understanding treatment moderators can help clinicians select the most appropriate intervention for a particular patient and consequently increase the likelihood of initial response. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify randomized trials and meta-analyses reporting on moderators of psychosocial treatment for pediatric OCD. All studies included a comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to active or control conditions. Few studies have evaluated moderators of psychosocial treatment for youth with OCD, and among those studies, few variables have demonstrated a differential effect on treatment response. Moderator analyses require large samples to garner the statistical power necessary to adequately evaluate differential responding in subgroups, and unfortunately, most reports of moderators in this review are post-hoc investigations of datasets from trials with relatively small sample sizes. Given the overwhelming number of CBT treatment variants and potential moderators, it would be impossible to conduct all the necessary head-to-head trials with sufficient sample sizes to develop helpful clinical guidelines. The best option for advancing the moderator literature is to utilize advanced statistical approaches for pooling existing data sets. Recommendations for leveraging emerging techniques in individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) are briefly discussed.
An optically transparent multi-electrode array for combined electrophysiology and optophysiology at the mesoscopic scale

Objective. A number of tissue penetrating opto-electrodes to simultaneously record and optogenetically influence brain activity have been developed. For experiments at the surface of the brain, such as electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings and surface optogenetics, fewer devices have been described and no device has found widespread adoption for neuroscientific experiments. One issue slowing adoption is the complexity and fragility of existing devices, typically based on transparent electrode materials like graphene and indium-tin oxide (ITO). We focused here on improving existing processes based on metal traces and polyimide (PI), which produce more robust and cost-effective devices, to develop a multi-electrode array for optophysiology. Approach. The most widely used substrate material for surface electrodes, PI, has seen little use for optophysiologicalμECoG/ECoG arrays. This is due to its lack of transparency at optogenetically relevant short wavelengths. Here we use very thin layers of PI in combination with chrome-gold-platinum electrodes to achieve the necessary substrate transparency and high mechanical flexibility in a device that still rejects light artifacts well. Main results. The manufactured surface arrays have a thickness of only 6.5 µm, resulting in 80% transparency for blue light. We demonstrate immunity against opto-electric artifacts, long term stability and biocompatibility as well as suitability for optical voltage imaging. The biocompatible arrays are capable of recording stable ECoGs over months without any measurable degradation and can be used to map the tonotopic organization of the curved rodent auditory cortex. Significance. Our novel probes combine proven materials and processing steps to create optically near-transparent electrode arrays with superior longevity. In contrast to previous opto-electrodes, our probes are simple to manufacture, robust, offer long-term stability, and are a practical engineering solution for optophysiological experiments not requiring transparency of the electrode sites themselves.
Computer Aided Reading and Pronunciation Practice System for Elementary Level: Development and Usability

This paper examines the initial study on teachers perception on the usability of computer-aided reading and pronunciation practice system and system development for elementary level in a rural area. The sample of this study consists of twelve (12) teacher, who teaches in an elementary level in the southern part of Antique, Philippines. The usability and user satisfaction questionnaire, which was adapted from Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ), divided into seven categories namely design/layout, functionality, ease of use, learnability, satisfaction, outcome/future use and errors/system reliability was utilized. Prototyping model was used in the development of the system. The internal consistency of the subscale was tested using Cronbach’s and the results are satisfactory.
The use of management control systems for enabling users to assess the trustworthiness of actors on platforms

The aim of this study is to investigate how platform organisations use control systems to create trustworthy platforms. This is done by studying how platform organisations use management control systems for enabling users to assess the trustworthiness of actors on platforms. Platform is a new phenomenon where users, often strangers, interact with each other and the behaviour of the users constitutes a large part of the operations. Therefore, the management control system is crucial for the platform organisation for managing the behaviour of the users. Further, the interaction between strangers on the platform creates a need for the platform to enable users to assess the trustworthiness of other users in order for the users to be willing to participate on the platform. The focus of this study is, therefore, the use of management control systems for assessing trustworthiness. To study this, a qualitative research design has been adopted. Interviews with six companies within three different business models have been conducted. A Framework for Analysis consisting of four different types of management control systems and four different characteristics of trustworthiness is applied to analyse the empirical findings. Based on the findings and analysis, it can be concluded that management control systems are useful for enabling assessment of trustworthiness of users. Also, a pattern of the management control system used in each business model and how these patterns differ between the business models have been found. Moreover, the study has contributed to previous research by adopting the framework of Merchant & Van der Stede (2012) in a new context, the firm boundaryspanning context of platform organisations. Further, the findings have created a wider view of what is important for assessing trustworthiness of the users.
The pretreatment circulating albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a simple, economical, and effective biomarker.

Lung cancer is among the most prevalent malignant diseases and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Disease progression in patients with various types of carcinomas, including lung cancer, is dependent on an intricate interaction among the tumor, host inflammatory response, and nutritional status. There is substantial evidence that the systemic inflammatory response and nutritional status of patients with carcinomas are important predictors of the outcome. The roles of biochemical or hematological markers, such as hypoalbuminemia, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, or others, have been studied by many researchers.
Detection of Visual Positive Sentiment using PCNN

Many people all over the world use online social networks to express their feeling and sharing their experience, and the easiest way from their perspective is using images and videos to do so. This paper shows the utilization of two techniques (Viola et al algorithm and Pulse coupled Neural Network) in visual sentiment analysis using a hand-labeled dataset. The proposed system, which uses the PCNN with NN classifier, achieves 96% right classification, whereas Viola algorithm achieves 94% for the same dataset.
Concerns of Infertile Women Candidates for Egg Donation: A Qualitative Study

Objective: Women with premature ovarian insufficiency, menopause, gonadal dysgenesis, and genetic disorders as well as those with a history of recurrent in vitro fertilization failure may benefit from the assisted fertility techniques. These women experience concerns that directly affect their married life especially in egg donation treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the reproductive health concerns of infertile women who were candidates for egg donation. Materials and methods: This qualitative content analysis was conducted in 17 infertile women who were referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital Infertility Clinic from July 2018 to March 2019. The participants were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected through individual in-depth semi-structured interviews. A conventional qualitative content analysis approach was adopted for data analysis using the MAXQDA12 software. Results: The results of data analysis showed five themes, including threatened married life, lack of supportive situation, religious beliefs, psychosocial damage, and damaged feminine identity. Conclusion: Infertility is usually accompanied by a great psychological sadness referred to as "stress of infertility". Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are also a source of stress for patients; therefore, it has a significant impact on the marital relationship and mental health of infertile women. Hence, there is a need for psychological support from the treatment team to reduce woman reproductive health concerns.
Risky Pleasures

This ethnographic study explores the discourses and practices of male clients of foreign female sex workers (FSWs) who carried out relationships with their regular FSW. Situated in an environment that rejects and stigmatizes sex work, this study explores the paths taken by this small group of men pursuing a relationship with a FSW. Findings from a sample of 23 Malaysian men obtained from an online forum and through snowball sampling display a demand for intimacy that for some clients transcends conventions of commercial sex, while for others display a desire for consumption of commodified intimacy within the sex trade. Participants’ narratives provide an insight as to how FSWs adapt and utilize emotional labor to their advantage. The resulting relationship is one of extreme inequality in power relations, resulting in both sides developing different strategies to compensate for their vulnerabilities.