Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Contraction Detection Using Uterine Electromyography

Electrohysterography (EHG) is a promising technique for pregnancy monitoring and preterm risk evaluation. It allows for uterine contraction monitoring as early as the 20th gestational week, and it is a non-invasive technique based on recording the electric signal of the uterine muscle activity from electrodes located in the abdominal surface. In this work, EHG-based contraction detection methodologies are applied using signal envelope features. Automatic contraction detection is an important step for the development of unsupervised pregnancy monitoring systems based on EHG. The exploratory methodologies include wavelet energy, Teager energy, root mean square (RMS), squared RMS, and Hilbert envelope. In this work, two main features were evaluated: contraction detection and its related delineation accuracy. The squared RMS produced the best contraction (97.15 ± 4.66%) and delineation (89.43 ± 8.10%) accuracy and the lowest false positive rate (0.63%). Despite the wavelet energy method having a contraction accuracy (92.28%) below the first-rated method, its standard deviation was the second best (6.66%). The average false positive rate ranged between 0.63% and 4.74%—a remarkably low value.
Cupriavidus necator strains: zinc and cadmium tolerance and bioaccumulation

Among soil microorganisms, the genus Cupriavidus has garnered particular scientific, economic and ecological interest because of its ability to fix nitrogen and tolerate high concentrations of metals. The aim of this study was to analyze four strains of Cupriavidus necator for their ability to tolerate and bioaccumulate cadmium and zinc. The tolerance of these strains to these metals was assessed in liquid culture medium containing different concentrations of Zn + Cd and in soil solutions and soils contaminated with multiple elements including Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb. The four strains showed high tolerance to Zn and Cd, both in culture medium and when inoculated into contaminated soil solutions or multi-element contaminated soil. The UFLA02-71 strain displayed the highest ability to bioaccumulate these metals. It was able to accumulate 93.76 μmol g cell–1 of Zn and 16.03 μmol g cell–1 of Cd when cultured in liquid medium with a total heavy metal concentration of 9,140 μmol L–1 (9,000 Zn + 140 Cd) and was able to accumulate 16.98 μmol g cell–1 of Cd in the soil solution. An increase in the pH of the culture medium resulting from the growth of the C. necator strains reduced the Zn2+ and Cd2+ ions in the medium and increased the concentrations of the ZnHPO4 and CdHPO4 species in solution. Thus, we concluded that they show great potential for use in the bioremediation of HM-contaminated areas.
Testing camera trap density estimates from the spatial capture model and calibrated capture rate indices against kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spp.) live trapping data

TESTING CAMERA TRAP DENSITY ESTIMATES FROM THE SPATIAL CAPTURE MODEL AND CALIBRATED CAPTURE RATE INDICES AGAINST KANGAROO RAT (DIPODOMYS SPP.) LIVE TRAPPING DATA by Timothy A. Walker Camera trapping studies often focus on estimating population density, which is critical for managing wild populations. Density estimators typically require unique markers such as stripe patterns to identify individuals but most animals do not have such markings. The spatial capture model (SC model; Chandler & Royle, 2013) estimates density without individual identification but lacks sufficient field testing. Here, both the SC model and calibrated capture rate indices were compared against ten sessions of live trapping data on kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp). These camera and live trapping data were combined in a joint-likelihood model to further compare the two methods. From these comparisons, the factors governing the SC model’s success were scrutinized. Additionally, a method for estimating missed captures was developed and tested here. Regressions comparing live trapping density to the SC model density and capture rate were significant only for the capture rate comparison. Missed image rate had a significant relationship with ambient nighttime temperatures but only marginally improved the capture rate index calibration. Results showed the SC model was highly sensitive to deviations from its movement model, producing potentially misleading results. The model may be effective only when movement assumptions hold. Several factors such as camera coverage area, microhabitat, and burrow locations could be incorporated into the SC model density estimation process to improve precision and inference.
Agricultural infrastructure as the driver of emerging farmers’ income in South Africa. A stochastic frontier approach

A stochastic frontier model was applied to cross-sectional data to examine whether availability and accessibility of agricultural infrastructure for emerging farmers enhance their agricultural income through efficiency gains. Using a stratified sampling approach, the study grouped the farmers into two; those who had agricultural infrastructure and those who did not have it. Through a survey, data collected from a sample of 150 smallholder farmers in the study area were analyzed using the frontier model. The explanatory variables that were statistically significant and which influenced the agricultural income of the emerging farmers in the study area included the following: equipment, social, institutional availability and physical accessibility indices, education, access to agricultural extension services, age of farmers, assistance of household members in farming, membership in farmers’ organizations, and marital status of the farmers. Informed policies aimed at improving the income of smallholder farmers might consider the results of the explanatory variables included in this study.
When in doubt: the value of uncertainty for release success among incarcerated women

Abstract Reentry can be complicated and daunting, yet people leaving prison tend to be overly optimistic about their capability to remain crime-free. This optimism could be good—where a hopeful mindset could be indicative of a prosocial future narrative. Or this optimism could be bad—where a naïve mindset could be indicative of a lack of preparation for the challenges ahead. Our goal is to explore the concept of perceived uncertainty for reentry success with a focus on how it may be useful in better preparing people to rejoin society. Using data from 200 women incarcerated in Arizona, we explore (1) the demographic characteristics that are associated with perceived uncertainty for reentry success and (2) the extent to which perceived uncertainty is associated with the identification of specific obstacles upon their release. Our findings suggest that most women are optimistic about their capability to stay out of prison, but that age, education, and custody level are associated with perceived uncertainty in this capability. Women with uncertainty are more likely to identify employment as a barrier that could bring them back to prison. We suggest that a focus on perceptions of uncertainty is critical for research and programming on prison reentry.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis for Effects of Exercise Interventions on Accumulation of Subcutaneous, Visceral, and Ectopic Fat in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Overweight and obese adults seek effective exercise interventions to reduce accumulated fat, but the effectiveness of these interventions vary across studies. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of exercise interventions in overweight and obese adults based on measurement of accumulated fat distributions. (2) Methods: Databases were used to select eligible studies for this meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials with a control and experimental group were included. Degrees of effectiveness of exercise interventions were computed to assess the benefits on reducing weight and subcutaneous, visceral, and ectopic fat accumulation. (3) Results: A total of twenty-one studies were included in this meta-analysis. Participation in exercise interventions showed beneficial effects in reducing weight and subcutaneous and visceral fat. The effectiveness of exercise interventions on ectopic fat accumulation could not be assessed due to the limited number of studies measuring ectopic fat. Additionally, effectiveness of exercise interventions that depended on measurements of accumulated fat varied. The average exercise intervention for overweight and obese individuals was moderate to vigorous intensity, 4 times per week, 50 minutes per session, and 22 weeks duration. (4) Conclusions: Participating in exercise interventions has favorable effects on reducing weight and accumulation of subcutaneous and visceral fat.
Diel and Seasonal Variations of Vocal Behavior of the Neotropical White-Tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)

Current knowledge regarding the vocal behavior in tropical non-passerines is very limited. Here, we employed passive acoustic monitoring to study the vocal activity of the white-tipped dove (Leptotila verreauxi) at three sites over a year in the Brazilian Pantanal. The diel pattern of vocal activity showed a bimodal pattern, with significantly higher vocal activity after sunrise than during the other hours of the day, in agreement with prior studies on this species and other members of Columbidae. The species was vocally active throughout the year, but vocal activity was maximum during May-June and lowest during January-February. Relative air humidity was positively associated with vocal activity, which may be related to the improvement of sound transmission under more humid conditions, but it could also be related to foraging efficiency due to a higher availability of invertebrates on wetter days. Vocal activity was not related to the mean air temperature or daily rainfall. Acoustic monitoring proved to be a useful tool for monitoring this shy forest species, for which a minimum number of three monitoring days was needed to detect a reliable vocal activity rate. Future studies should evaluate its use for monitoring other species of doves and pigeons that are secretive or threatened.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the causative agent of the human cercarial dermatitis, the visceral bird schistosome species Trichobilharzia szidati (platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Schistosomatidae)

Abstract We report the first complete mitochondrial genome of visceral bird schistosome Trichobilharzia szidati (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda: Schistosomatidae). The circular genome is 14293 bp in length and contains 12 protein-coding genes, 12S and 16S rRNAs genes, 22 tRNAs and one non-coding region (202 bp) (accession number MF136777). Phylogenetic relationships based on 12 protein-coding gene sequences (PCG) of mitogenomes of a number of trematode and cestode species have shown that T. szidati is the closest genetic relative to nasal bird schistosome T. regenti. The complete mitogenome sequence of T. szidati may serve as a resource for comparative mitogenomics and trematode evolution studies.
Social representations of risk in Cameroon: Influence of sociopolitical and cultural context

The threat of sociopolitical instability is a perennial subject of political debate in Cameroon, even though the country’s stability has never really been challenged since independence. Given this omnipresent discussion on the need to preserve social cohesion, the aim of the present study was to analyze social representations of risk. Two studies were carried out among two samples (N1 = 31 and N2 = 156) of Cameroonians with higher education diplomas. Data collected by means of free association and characterization questionnaires were subjected to hierarchical, similarity and Q-sort analyses. These revealed that governance failures are regarded as factors that might undermine social cohesion. Comparative analysis of the risk representations of the country’s different ethnic groups revealed several differences. Previous research had emphasized the importance of proximity to the object in the construction of a social representation, and this was also evident in the present study, as social representations of risk for both the whole sample and the different ethnic groups were structured around specific threats or ills that undermine Cameroonian society.
Electrostatic-responsive microdroplet lasers for ultrasensitive molecular detection

Electrostatics plays a critical function in most biomolecules, therefore monitoring subtle biomolecular bindings and dynamics via the electrostatic changes of biomolecules at biointerfaces has been an attractive topic recently and has provided the basis in diagnosis and biomedical science. Here we present a bioelectrostatic responsive microlaser based on liquid crystal (LC) droplet and explored its application for ultrasensitive detection of negatively charged biomolecules. Whispering gallery mode (WGM) lasing from positively charged LC microdroplets was applied as the optical resonator, where the lasing wavelength shift was employed as a sensing parameter. With the dual impacts from whispering-gallery mode and liquid crystal, molecular binding signals will be amplified in such LC droplet sensors. It is found that molecular electrostatic changes at the biointerface of droplet triggered wavelength shift in lasing spectra. The total wavelength shift increased proportionally with the adhering target concentrations. Compared to a conventional polarized optical microscope, significant improvements in sensitivity and dynamic range by four orders of magnitude were achieved. Our work indicated that the surface-to-volume ratio plays a critical role in the detection sensitivity in WGM laser-based microsensors. Finally, bovine serum albumin and specific biosensing using streptavidin and biotin were exploited to demonstrate the potential applications of microlasers with a detection limit on the order of 1 pM. We anticipate this approach will open new possibilities for the ultrasensitive label-free detection of charged biomolecules and molecular interactions by providing a lower detection limit than conventional methods.
Stationary Equations for Non-Markovian Biochemical Systems

We develop a new approach for stochastic analysis of biochemical reaction systems with arbitrary distributions of waiting times between reaction events. Specifically, we derive a stationary generalized chemical master equation for a non-Markovian reaction network. Importantly, this equation allows to transform the original non-Markovian problem into a Markovian one by introducing a mean reaction propensity function for every reaction in the network. Furthermore, we derive a stationary generalized linear noise approximation for the non-Markovian system, which is convenient to the direct estimation of the stationary noise in state variables. These derived equations can have broad applications, and exemplars of two representative non-Markovian models provide evidence of their applicability.
Role of Serum Glypican - 3 ( GPC-3 ) in Early Detection of Hepatocellular Carcenoma

Background The false negative rate of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level alone may be as high as 40% for patients with early stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may be elevated in non-malignant chronic liver diseases and other malignancies. Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is a new tumor marker for HCC. Objective: Evaluation of the role of serum GPC-3 in the early diagnosis of HCC. Results: There was a highly significant difference between control and HCC group as regard AFP and serum GPC-3. There was a highly significant difference between liver cirrhosis and HCC group as regard AFP and serum GPC-3. No significant difference between control and liver cirrhosis groups as regard AFP and GPC-3. AFP showed sensitivity (75%), specificity (63%), positive predictive value (PPV) (62.8%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (69.9%) at cut-off value 195ng/ml for HCC group. Serum GPC-3 showed sensitivity of (87%), specificity of (95%), PPV of (93.8%) and NPV of (91.2%) at cut-off 5.1ng/ml for HCC group. Combined serum GPC-3 and AFP showed sensitivity (85.9%), specificity (88%) PPV (85.4%) and NPV (84.1%) at cut of value 5.1 ng/ml and 195 ng/ml respectively for HCC group.No significant correlation of serum GPC- 3 or AFP to the tumor size, number or vascular invasion in HCC group. Conclusion:GPC-3 is a promising diagnostic marker with high sensitivity and specificity for HCC than AFP in detection, screening HCC and follow up treatment of HCC.
Throughput Maximization for Multiple D2D Group Communications Underlaying Cellular Networks

In the scenario where multiple device-to-device (D2D) users and cellular users coexist, the large number of D2D users not only results in the shortage of spectrum resources but also brings interference to the communication of cellular users. In this paper, we establish a clustering model centered on cellular users and propose a resource allocation algorithm based on a D2D clustering model. On the basis of ensuring the throughput requirements of cellular users, this algorithm reconstructs various matrices in the graph theory through probability models, sets the priority of D2D pairs, and maximizes the number of user accesses under interference tolerance. Besides, on the optimization of the number of users, we adopt the Rubinstein game model to adjust the game order according to the priority and optimize the bandwidth allocation mode, so as to improve the overall throughput of the network. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can increase the number of users and the network throughput, while shortening the spectrum allocation time by more than half.
Interference resonant propagation of two-colour femtosecond Gaussian pulses in three-level Λ-type atomic medium

The interference resonant propagation of two-color 4π-4π femtosecond Gaussian pulses in three-level Λ-type atomic medium with different values of the relative phase φ is investigated by using numerical solution, which is obtained by the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method and the iterative predictor–corrector (PC) method for the full Maxwell-Bloch equations. It is found that, for a smaller value of the φ, the pulse splitting occurs, and when the value of the φ increases to a certain value, only the variation of pulse shape present but the pulse splitting no longer occurs; accordingly, their spectral strengths and frequency ranges of the two-color pulses decrease remarkably with the value of φ increasing; Moreover, the relative phase also has an obvious effect on population, different population evolutions can be achieved by adjusting the value of φ.
APISonar: Mining API usage examples

Developers spend a significant part of their time searching for code examples on the web. Often, they look for Application Programming Interface (API) usage examples, that is, how to use APIs provided by libraries and frameworks. For this purpose, several programming websites are available. Some programming websites provide manually created examples: unfortunately, as millions of APIs are available nowadays, they do not cover the majority of the APIs. To alleviate this limitation, other programming websites focus on automatically mining API usage examples from code repositories. To the best of our knowledge, however, these solutions are still very limited: they often present poor, duplicated, and similar API usage examples. In this article, we propose an approach, APISonar, to automatically mine API usage examples from code repositories. Our approach aims to overcome the limitations of current solutions: we focus on presenting readable and reusable API usage examples. We analyze millions of source files provided by 4486 software projects hosted on GitHub. Based on this data, we extract 11 million API usage examples about 1.5 million distinct APIs. We evaluate APISonar by assessing its quality and usage. We show that APISonar is a competitive solution, providing the best API examples in terms of readability and reusability, as compared with popular programming websites. Moreover, despite being a novel website, APISonar attracted a significant amount of users in a short period (3.7K users from 119 countries during 5 months). APISonar is available at www.apisonar. com.
The Impact of Imitation Strategies, Managerial and Entrepreneurial Skills on Startups’ Entrepreneurial Innovation

The scope of this paper is to investigate whether imitation strategies adopted by startups are effective in the pursuit of enhanced entrepreneurial innovation. To this end, a literature review was carried out in order to develop a research framework with factors related to imitation predicting entrepreneurial innovation. Moreover, managerial skills and entrepreneurial skills were incorporated as predictors of entrepreneurial innovation. In this respect, a structured questionnaire was developed to address these research objectives, based on scales tested in previous studies. In 2020, a survey was conducted on 486 startup owners operating in Greece, and a total of 289 responses were received. A hierarchical regression analysis was employed in order to examine the research framework. In congruence with the hypotheses, the findings demonstrated that outcome-based imitation strategies and trait-based imitation strategies positively affect the development of entrepreneurial innovation. Moreover, the positive impact of managerial and entrepreneurial skills on the development of entrepreneurial innovation was also confirmed. In contrast, the findings suggest that frequency-based imitation strategies negatively predict entrepreneurial innovation. However, outcome-based imitation and trait-based imitation strategies have been shown as the determinants with a positive impact on entrepreneurial innovation.
Monoecious Mutant Reveals New Insights into Male and Female Inflorescence Development in the Chinese Bayberry (Morella rubra)

To identify the dynamic differences in transcriptome and gene expression in chinese bayberry ﬂowers of different sex types, the female ‘Fugong-1’ (WT) and its monoecious mutant (MT) were used as experimental materials. Using Illumina HiSeq TM 2500, ﬂowers at the inﬂorescence germination, inﬂorescence elongation, and initial ﬂowering stages were sequenced by RNA-seq technology and 6 libraries were obtained. After sequence assemble, 84,945 unigenes greater than 200 bp were found and the total length was 71.66 Mb. Transcriptomic expression analysis of the six libraries indicated that there was only 297 genes showed different expression at the inﬂorescence germination stage between MT and WT, the difference of which was the minimum. At the elongation stage and the initial ﬂowering stage, such numbers increased to 787 and 2722, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched differentially expressed genes (DEGs) included those related with transcription in DNA-templated (GO: 0006355), pollen exine formation (GO: 0010584), plasma membrane (GO: 0005886), sequence-speciﬁc DNA binding transcription factor activity (GO: 0003700), and 2-alkenal reductase [NAD(P)] activity (GO: 0032440) GO categories, etc. Among these processes, pollen exine formation plays an important role in pollen cell wall synthesis and sporopollen participates in the biosynthesis of sporopollenin. High expression levels of these related genes were closely related to the MT’s male ﬂower traits during the initial ﬂowering stage, which resulted in