Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equal but different: Natural ecotones are dissimilar to anthropic edges

Increasing deforestation worldwide has expanded the interfaces between fragmented forests and non-forest habitats. Human-made edges are very different from the original forest cover, with different microclimatic conditions. Conversely, the natural transitions (i.e., ecotones) are distinct from human-made forest edges. The human-made forest edges are usually sharp associated with disturbances, with abrupt changes in temperature, humidity, luminosity and wind incidence towards the forest interior. However, the natural forest-lake ecotones, even when abrupt, are composed of a complex vegetal physiognomy, with canopy structures close to the ground level and a composition of herbaceous and arboreal species well adapted to this transition range. In the present study, fruit-feeding butterflies were used as models to investigate whether faunal assemblages in natural ecotones are more similar to the forest interior than to the anthropic edges. Butterflies were sampled monthly over one year in the Rio Doce State Park, Southeastern Brazil, following a standardized design using a total of 90 bait traps, in three different forest habitats (forest interior, forest ecotone and anthropic edges), in both canopy and understory. A total of 11,594 individuals from 98 butterfly species were collected (3,151 individuals from 79 species in the forest interior, 4,321 individuals from 87 species in the ecotone and 4,122 individuals from 83 species in the edge). The results indicated that the butterfly richness and diversity were higher in transition areas (ecotones and edges). The ecotone included a combination of butterfly species from the forest interior and from anthropic edges. However, species composition and dominance in the ecotone were similar to the forest interior in both vertical strata. These results suggest that human made forest edges are quite distinct from ecotones. Moreover, ecotones represent unique habitats accommodating species adapted to distinct ecological conditions, while anthropic edges accommodate only opportunistic species from open areas or upper canopies.
Repeatability of Quantitative Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Metrics in Phantoms, Head-and-Neck and Thyroid Cancers: Preliminary Findings

The aim of this study was to establish the repeatability measures of quantitative Gaussian and non-Gaussian diffusion metrics using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data from phantoms and patients with head-and-neck and papillary thyroid cancers. The Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance (QIBA) DWI phantom and a novel isotropic diffusion kurtosis imaging phantom were scanned at 3 different sites, on 1.5T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging systems, using standardized multiple b-value DWI acquisition protocol. In the clinical component of this study, a total of 60 multiple b-value DWI data sets were analyzed for test–retest, obtained from 14 patients (9 head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma and 5 papillary thyroid cancers). Repeatability of quantitative DWI measurements was assessed by within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV%) and Bland–Altman analysis. In isotropic diffusion kurtosis imaging phantom vial with 2% ceteryl alcohol and behentrimonium chloride solution, the mean apparent diffusion (Dapp × 10−3 mm2/s) and kurtosis (Kapp, unitless) coefficient values were 1.02 and 1.68 respectively, capturing in vivo tumor cellularity and tissue microstructure. For the same vial, Dapp and Kapp mean wCVs (%) were ≤1.41% and ≤0.43% for 1.5T and 3T across 3 sites. For pretreatment head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, apparent diffusion coefficient, D, D*, K, and f mean wCVs (%) were 2.38%, 3.55%, 3.88%, 8.0%, and 9.92%, respectively; wCVs exhibited a higher trend for papillary thyroid cancers. Knowledge of technical precision and bias of quantitative imaging metrics enables investigators to properly design and power clinical trials and better discern between measurement variability versus biological change.
Internet of Things (IOT) in Healthcare - Smart Health and Surveillance, Architectures, Security Analysis and Data Transfer: A Review

Wellbeing is fundament requirement. What's more, it is human appropriate to get quality health care. These days, India is confronting numerous medical problems in light of fewer assets. This survey article displays the idea of solving health issues by utilizing a recent innovation, the Internet of Things (IOT). The Internet of Things with their developing interdisciplinary applications has changed our lives. Smart health care being one such IoT application interfaces brilliant gadgets, machines, patients, specialists, and sensors to the web. At long last, the difficulties and prospects of the improvement of IoT-based medicinal service frameworks are talked about in detail. This review additionally summarizes the security and protection worries of IoT, administrations and application of IoT and smart healthcare services that have changed the customary medicinal services framework by making healthcare administration more proficient through their applications.
The complete chloroplast genome of Narcissus poeticus L. (Amaryllidaceae: Amaryllidoideae)

Abstract The first complete chloroplast genome sequence for Narcissus is assembled and annotated in this study. The total length of the N. poeticus chloroplast genome is 160,099 bp and comprises the large single copy (LSC) spanning 86,445 bp, the small single copy (SSC) spanning 16,434 bp, and two inverted repeat regions each of 28,610 bp length. The truncated copy of ycf1 before the junction between IRB and SSC was 1277–2428 bp longer than in other included Asparagales samples. A potential pseudogene, cemA, was also identified. This is the first reported plastome for Amaryllidaceae subfamily Amaryllidoideae.
The Impact of Arterial Input Function Determination Variations on Prostate Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pharmacokinetic Modeling: A Multicenter Data Analysis Challenge, Part II

This multicenter study evaluated the effect of variations in arterial input function (AIF) determination on pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) data using the shutter-speed model (SSM). Data acquired from eleven prostate cancer patients were shared among nine centers. Each center used a site-specific method to measure the individual AIF from each data set and submitted the results to the managing center. These AIFs, their reference tissue-adjusted variants, and a literature population-averaged AIF, were used by the managing center to perform SSM PK analysis to estimate Ktrans (volume transfer rate constant), ve (extravascular, extracellular volume fraction), kep (efflux rate constant), and τi (mean intracellular water lifetime). All other variables, including the definition of the tumor region of interest and precontrast T1 values, were kept the same to evaluate parameter variations caused by variations in only the AIF. Considerable PK parameter variations were observed with within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV) values of 0.58, 0.27, 0.42, and 0.24 for Ktrans, ve, kep, and τi, respectively, using the unadjusted AIFs. Use of the reference tissue-adjusted AIFs reduced variations in Ktrans and ve (wCV = 0.50 and 0.10, respectively), but had smaller effects on kep and τi (wCV = 0.39 and 0.22, respectively). kep is less sensitive to AIF variation than Ktrans, suggesting it may be a more robust imaging biomarker of prostate microvasculature. With low sensitivity to AIF uncertainty, the SSM-unique τi parameter may have advantages over the conventional PK parameters in a longitudinal study.
Virtual enriched environments in paediatric neuropsychological rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury: Feasibility, benefits and challenges

A frequent consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant reduction in patients’ cerebral activation/arousal, which clinicians agree is not conducive to optimal rehabilitation outcomes. In the context of paediatric rehabilitation, sustained periods of inactivity are particularly undesirable, as contemporary research has increasingly called into question the Kennard principle that youth inherently promotes greater neural plasticity and functional recovery following TBI. Therefore, the onus to create rehabilitation conditions most conducive to harnessing plasticity falls squarely on the shoulders of clinicians. Having noted the efficacy of environmental enrichment in promoting neural plasticity and positive functional outcomes in the animal literature, some researchers have suggested that the emerging technology of Virtual Reality (VR) could provide the means to increase patients’ cerebral activation levels via the use of enriched Virtual Environments (VEs). However, 10 years on, this intuitively appealing concept has received almost no attention from researchers and clinicians alike. This paper overviews recent research on the benefits of enriched environments in the injured brain and identifies the potential and challenges associated with implementing VR-based enrichment in paediatric neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Dual role of DMXL2 in olfactory information transmission and the first wave of spermatogenesis

Gonad differentiation is a crucial step conditioning the future fertility of individuals and most of the master genes involved in this process have been investigated in detail. However, transcriptomic analyses of developing gonads from different animal models have revealed that hundreds of genes present sexually dimorphic expression patterns. DMXL2 was one of these genes and its function in mammalian gonads was unknown. We therefore investigated the phenotypes of total and gonad-specific Dmxl2 knockout mouse lines. The total loss-of-function of Dmxl2 was lethal in neonates, with death occurring within 12 hours of birth. Dmxl2-knockout neonates were weak and did not feed. They also presented defects of olfactory information transmission and severe hypoglycemia, suggesting that their premature death might be due to global neuronal and/or metabolic deficiencies. Dmxl2 expression in the gonads increased after birth, during follicle formation in females and spermatogenesis in males. DMXL2 was detected in both the supporting and germinal cells of both sexes. As Dmxl2 loss-of-function was lethal, only limited investigations of the gonads of Dmxl2 KO pups were possible. They revealed no major defects at birth. The gonadal function of Dmxl2 was then assessed by conditional deletions of the gene in gonadal supporting cells, germinal cells, or both. Conditional Dmxl2 ablation in the gonads did not impair fertility in males or females. By contrast, male mice with Dmxl2 deletions, either throughout the testes or exclusively in germ cells, presented a subtle testicular phenotype during the first wave of spermatogenesis that was clearly detectable at puberty. Indeed, Dmxl2 loss-of-function throughout the testes or in germ cells only, led to sperm counts more than 60% lower than normal and defective seminiferous tubule architecture. Transcriptomic and immunohistochemichal analyses on these abnormal testes revealed a deregulation of Sertoli cell phagocytic activity related to germ cell apoptosis augmentation. In conclusion, we show that Dmxl2 exerts its principal function in the testes at the onset of puberty, although its absence does not compromise male fertility in mice.
[18F] FDG Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Tumor and Penumbra Imaging Features Predict Recurrence in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

We identified computational imaging features on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) that predict recurrence/progression in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively identified 291 patients with NSCLC from 2 prospectively acquired cohorts (training, n = 145; validation, n = 146). We contoured the metabolic tumor volume (MTV) on all pretreatment PET images and added a 3-dimensional penumbra region that extended outward 1 cm from the tumor surface. We generated 512 radiomics features, selected 435 features based on robustness to contour variations, and then applied randomized sparse regression (LASSO) to identify features that predicted time to recurrence in the training cohort. We built Cox proportional hazards models in the training cohort and independently evaluated the models in the validation cohort. Two features including stage and a MTV plus penumbra texture feature were selected by LASSO. Both features were significant univariate predictors, with stage being the best predictor (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56–2.95], P < . 001). However, adding the MTV plus penumbra texture feature to stage significantly improved prediction (P = .006). This multivariate model was a significant predictor of time to recurrence in the training cohort (concordance = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.66–0.81], P < .001) that was validated in a separate validation cohort (concordance = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.67–0.81], P < .001). A combined radiomics and clinical model improved NSCLC recurrence prediction. FDG PET radiomic features may be useful biomarkers for lung cancer prognosis and add clinical utility for risk stratification.
Game theory, maximum generalized entropy, minimum discrepancy, robust Bayes and Pythagoras

Suppose that, for purposes of inductive inference or choosing an optimal decision, we wish to select a single distribution P* to act as representative of a class /spl Gamma/ of such distributions. The maximum entropy principle ("MaxeEnt") (Jaynes 1989; Csiszar 1991) is widely applied for this purpose, but its rationale has often been controversial (Shimony 1985; Seidenfeld 1986). Here we emphasize and generalize a reinterpretation of the maximum entropy principle (Topsoe (1979); Walley (1991); Grunwald (1998)): that the distribution P* that maximizes the entropy over /spl Gamma/ also minimizes the worst-case expected logarithmic score (log loss). In the terminology of decision theory (Berger 1985), P* is a robust Bayes, or /spl Gamma/-minimax, act, when loss is measured by the log loss. This gives a decision-theoretic justification for maximum entropy.
A Decentralized and Non-reversible Traceability System for Storing Commodity Data

In the field of traceability systems, researchers focus on applications in the agricultural food traceability and scanning commodities. The purposes of this paper, however, is to propose an efficient and reliable traceability system that can be applied to all kinds of commodities. Currently, most traceability systems store data in a central server, which is unreliable when the system is under attack or if the administrator tampers with the data for personal interests. Therefore, it is necessary to design a system that can eliminate these threats. In this paper, we propose a decentralized and non-reversible traceability system for storing commodity data. This system depends on blockchain technology, which organizes data in the form of chains without a central server. This chain-style storage mechanism can prevent malicious modifications. In addition, some strategies are adopted to reduce the storage pressure and response time when the system has stored all kinds of commodity data.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Nigella sativa Oil in Human Pre-Adipocytes

The oil obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa), also known as black cumin, is frequently used in the Mediterranean area for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil extracted from seeds of a N. sativa cultivar produced in the Marche region of Italy, and to determine if the thymoquinone content, antioxidant properties, and biological activity would decay during storage. Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of N. sativa oil were tested in an in vitro model of low-grade inflammation in Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome human pre-adipocytes. The fresh extracted oil (FEO) contained 33% more thymoquinone than stored extracted oil (SEO), demonstrating that storage affects its overall quality. In addition, the thymoquinone content in the N. sativa oil from the Marche region cultivar was higher compared with other N. sativa oils produced in the Middle East and in other Mediterranean regions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) were differently modulated by fresh and stored extracts from N. sativa oils: FEO, containing more thymoquinone reduced IL-6 levels significantly, while SEO inhibited IL-1beta and had a higher antioxidant activity. Total antioxidant activity, reported as µM of Trolox, was 11.273 ± 0.935 and 6.103 ± 0.446 for SEO and FEO (p = 1.255 × 10−7), respectively, while mean values of 9.895 ± 0.817 (SEO) and 4.727 ± 0.324 (FEO) were obtained with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay (p = 2.891 × 10−14). In conclusion, the oil capacity to counteract proinflammatory cytokine production does not strictly depend on the thymoquinone content, but also on other antioxidant components of the oil.
The German version of the Quality of Marriage Index: Psychometric properties in a representative sample and population-based norms

The Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) is a 6-item internationally widely-used instrument assessing relationship satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the psychometric properties of the German version in a representative sample of the German general population (N = 1431) as well as (2) effects of gender and age on relationship satisfaction. All participants were in a relationship. The German QMI demonstrates good item characteristics and excellent reliability (α = .94). The proposed one-factor solution was replicated. Differences in scoring on the QMI showed that males scored higher than females and differences between younger and older participants were found. The findings suggest that the German version of the QMI is suitable to reliably measure relationship satisfaction and may therefore be used as a brief screening instrument in a variety of settings and research questions. A cross validation in a sample of couples seeking help for relationship difficulties should be considered in future research. The limited number of items and the one-factor-solution do not suggest this instrument as a fine-tuned assessment tool for different dimensions of relationship satisfaction.
MicroRNA-16 inhibits migration and invasion via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in ovarian cancer

As small non-coding RNA molecules, microRNAs (miRs) function in the regulation of tumorigenesis. Proliferation in ovarian cancer is considered to be associated with miR-16; however, the role of miR-16 in the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells remains unclear. The results of the present study demonstrated that miR-16 expression is downregulated in the ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cell lines compared with that in normal ovarian epithelial cells (OECs). miR-16 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells, and decreased the expression of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)2 and MMP9. Additionally, miR-16 upregulated the expression of cadherin 1, an intercellular adhesion molecule, and downregulated the expression of some mesenchymal markers, including snail family transcriptional repressor 2, snail family transcriptional repressor 1, Vimentin, twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 and cadherin 2 in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Furthermore, it was indicated that miR-16 overexpression in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells resulted in a significant increase in anti-glycogen synthase kinase 3 β expression and a decrease in the expression of Wnt family member 3A, β-catenin, MYC proto-oncogene, BHLH transcription factor and cyclin D1 compared with the NC group. The results of the present study indicated that miR-16 exerts a suppressive effect on cell migration and invasion in ovarian cancer in vitro, through inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The data suggest that miR-16 may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer.
Mobile genomic element diversity in world collection of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) panel using iPBS-retrotransposon markers

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a multipurpose crop of dry land yielding very high quality of edible oil. Present study was aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 131 safflower accessions originating from 28 different countries using 13 iPBS-retrotransposon markers. A total of 295 iPBS bands were observed among which 275 (93.22%) were found polymorphic. Mean Polymorphism information content (0.48) and diversity parameters including mean effective number of alleles (1.33), mean Shannon’s information index (0.33), overall gene diversity (0.19), Fstatistic (0.21), and inbreeding coefficient (1.00) reflected the presence of sufficient amount of genetic diversity in the studied plant materials. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that more than 40% of genetic variation was derived from populations. Model-based structure, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) algorithms clustered the 131 safflower accessions into four main populations A, B, C, D and an unclassified population, with no meaningful geographical origin. Most diverse accessions originated from Asian countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Turkey, and India. Four accessions, Turkey3, Afghanistan4, Afghanistan2, and Pakistan24 were found most genetically distant and might be recommended as a candidate parents for breeding purposes. The findings of this study are most probably supported by the seven similarity centers hypothesis of safflower. This is a first study to explore the genetic diversity and population structure in safflower accessions using the iPBS-retrotransposon markers. The information provided in this work will therefore be helpful for scientists interested in safflower breeding.
Software engineering principles to improve quality and performance of R software

Today’s computational researchers are expected to be highly proficient in using software to solve a wide range of problems ranging from processing large datasets to developing personalized treatment strategies from a growing range of options. Researchers are well versed in their own field, but may lack formal training and appropriate mentorship in software engineering principles. Two major themes not covered in most university coursework nor current literature are software testing and software optimization. Through a survey of all currently available Comprehensive R Archive Network packages, we show that reproducible and replicable software tests are frequently not available and that many packages do not appear to employ software performance and optimization tools and techniques. Through use of examples from an existing R package, we demonstrate powerful testing and optimization techniques that can improve the quality of any researcher’s software.