Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High quality Region-of-Interest coding for video conferencing based remote general practitioner training

In a video conferencing based remote teaching system, visual quality is of critical importance, specially when it is used for medical training. However, transmission of high quality video data requires substantial amount of bandwidth. Unfortunately, communication systems in remote areas suffer from low transmission rate which demands significant compression of videos at the expense of visual quality. To strike a balance between the requirements of high visual quality and high compression ratio, in this paper, we propose to achieve higher visual quality only in the area of critical importance of a video known as Region of Interest (ROI). In the proposed scheme, the increase in the bit rate due to the improved visual quality in ROI is compensated with a degradation in the visual quality of non-ROI so that the effective bit rate meets the available bandwidth constraint. One of the salient features of the proposed method is that it operates outside the rate-distortion optimization (RDO) process of standard video codecs and thus ensures easy integration of the scheme into existing video coding standards and devices. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed scheme significantly improves the visual quality of ROI without much degradation of the overall visual quality. Keywords-Region-of-interest; video coding; video conferencing.
Structured bandits and applications : exploiting problem structure for better decision-making under uncertainty

We study the problem of decision-making under uncertainty in the bandit setting. This thesis goes beyond the well-studied multi-armed bandit model to consider structured bandit settings and their applications. In particular, we learn to make better decisions by leveraging the application-specific problem-structure in the form of features or graph information. We investigate the use of structured bandits in two practical applications: online recommender systems with an available network of users and viral marketing in social networks. For each of these applications, we design efficient bandit algorithms and theoretically characterize their performance. We experimentally evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of these algorithms on real-world datasets. For applications that require modelling complex non-linear feature-reward relationships, we propose a bootstrapping approach and establish theoretical regret bounds for it. Furthermore, we consider the application of multi-class classification with bandit feedback as a test-bed for evaluating our bootstrapping approach.
Mycobacterium bovis surveillance in European badgers (Meles meles) killed by vehicles in Northern Ireland: an epidemiological evaluation.

A survey of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in badgers killed by cars has been ongoing since 1999, with an annual mean of 78 badgers submitted for laboratory examination. The sample prevalence was 20.0% and temporal trends were similar to those of bovine herd prevalence. TB in badgers and surrounding cattle herds was spatially associated at distances up to five kilometres. The survey provides valuable epidemiological information and is a useful monitoring tool, but is constrained by several inherent weaknesses. Validation, through comparison with badgers captured at setts, is therefore required before the survey can be fully utilized.
Comparison of Two Deparaffinization Techniques and Three DNA Extraction Methods from Paraffin-Embedded Biopsies

| The formalin fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPET) represent an important source of biological material. However, the quality of the extracted DNA from such biopsies is often poor probably because of the type of fixative, fixation duration, block age and persistence of paraffin residues. The objective of the current study was to compare two deparaffinization techniques in combination with three extraction methods in order to select the best one to be used in routine diagnosis. Two deparaffinization techniques; xylene and temperature were tested. They were combined with three commonly used extraction methods namely phenol-chloroform, the commercial kit QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) and the salting-out method. Thirteen samples of FFPET, among which three infected by Entamoeba histolytica, were used for this evaluation. The quantity and quality of obtained DNA were measured using NanoDrop. The IL6 human gene was also amplified for further validation. The combination temperature/commercial kit revealed the most efficient with good DNA yield and high purity (p≤0,001). It also provided the best success rate of PCR amplification. This method is simple and does not use toxic substances. Amplification products confirmed the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in 2 out of 3 amoebiasis biopsies tested. The combination temperature/commercial kit allows the DNA extraction with good quantities and high purity from FFPET. Such biological samples may represent a possible alternative in research and diagnosis.
Application of Daubechies wavelets for solving Kuramoto-Sivashinsky type equations

We show how Daubechies wavelets are used to solve Kuramoto-Sivashinsky type equations with periodic boundary condition‎. ‎Wavelet bases are used for numerical solution of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky type equations by Galerkin method‎. ‎The numerical results in comparison with the exact solution prove the efficiency and accuracy of our method‎.
CONTRIBUTION OF ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE, LEADERSHIP & RELATIONSHIP STYLES AND INNOVATION PROCESS TOWARD ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATIVENESS LITERATURE REVIEW AND PROPOSED FRAMEWORK

Based on the review of the theory of organizational knowledge creation and extant literature in strategic management, this study proposed a framework that is expected to investigate the innovativeness of organizations. The framework is put forward as propositions thus: the organic structure is significantly related to transformational leadership style; the mechanistic structure is significantly related to transactional leadership style; the transformational leadership style is significantly related to the idea generation stage in the innovation process; the transactional leadership style is significantly related to the implementation stage of the innovation process; the relationship style moderates the impact of transformational leadership on the idea
Dispersal kernels and their drivers captured with a hydrodynamic model and spatial indices : A case study on anchovy ( Engraulis encrasicolus ) early life stages in the Bay of Biscay

Dispersal of fish early life stages explains part of the recruitment success, through interannual variability in spawning, transport and survival. Dispersal results from a complex interaction between physical and biological processes acting at different temporal and spatial scales, and at the individual or population level. In this paper we quantify the response of anchovy egg and larval dispersal in the Bay of Biscay to the following sources of variability: vertical larval behaviour, drift duration, adult spawning location and timing, and spatio-temporal variability in the hydrodynamics. We use simulations of Lagrangian trajectories in a 3-dimensional hydrodynamic model, as well as spatial indices describing different properties of the dispersal kernel: the mean transport (distance, direction), its variance, occupation of space by particles and their aggregation. We show that larval drift duration has a major impact on the dispersion at scales of not, vert, similar100 km, but that vertical behaviour becomes dominant reducing dispersion at scales of not, vert, similar1–10 km. Spawning location plays a major role in explaining connectivity patterns, in conjunction with spawning temporal variability. Interannual variability in the circulation dominates over seasonal variability. However, seasonal patterns become predominant for coastal spawning locations, revealing a recurrent shift in the direction of dispersal during the anchovy spawning season.
TiO2 FILMS PRODUCED BY ELECTRON BEAM VACUUM DEPOSITION FROM NANOMETRIC POWDER OBTAINED BY PECHINI'S METHOD

Nanometric TiO2 powders were obtained from low tem- perature calcination of a TiO2 resin prepared using the Pechini's method. Firing the TiO2 resin at 500 o C/2h a powder with anatase phase was obtained, otherwise firing the TiO2 resin at 700 o C/2h a powder with rutile phase was achieved as measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The anatase powder presented average particle size of 60 nm observed by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM-FEG) micrographs and average crystallite size of 13 nm calcu- lated from the XRD, while the rutile powder presented av- erage crystallite size of 34 nm. Nanocrystalline TiO2 films with good homogeneity and optical quality were obtained with 80 nm and 320 nm in thickness by Electron Beam Physical Vapour Deposition (EB-PVD) in vacuum on amorphous quartz substrates submitted at 350 o C during the evaporation. The 80 nm-thick film presented average particle size of 140 nm and roughness (Ra) of 1.08 nm and the 320 nm-thick film showed average particle size of 350 nm and roughness (Ra) of 2.14 nm measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In these conditions of deposi- tion the films presented only anatase phase observed by XRD and MicroRaman spectroscopy.
Trust as a Mechanism of Social Regulation the Modern Youth's Behaviour

The problem of regulation of social behaviour has been studied of social representations of modern youth. The authors consider that the mechanism of trust can be seen as the basic principle for constructing relations. This article covers issues related to social representations of trust, manifestations of credulity, direction and basic functions of trust. About 380 people have become the subject of the study: 190 men and 190 women aged between 20 and 30 (the average age being 23.78). The study used the following tools: A questionnaire, the authors’ modification of Sachs and Levy’s Sentence Completion Test and the “Trust Situation” projective technique. The data-processing included content analysis, correlation and factor analysis. The results enabled us to create a classification of people based on differences in perception of the trust phenomenon, trust situations, objects and basic functions of trust. The phenomenon of “trust blindness” has been identified and described for the first time.
On CO 2 Emissions and Major Macroeconomic Variables:A Var Model; Case of China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Objectives : This paper investigates the association between carbon dioxide emanations, energy utilization, real gross domestic product, trade, financial development and urbanisation in an econometric time series model. Methods : The statistical specification is -Test of stationarity of data. Testing the existence of cointegrating relation. Finding an error correction model. Finally for robust results the study employs impulse response function and vari-ance decomposition method . The impulse response function traces the responsiveness of the endogenous variables to shocks to each of the other exogenous variables over a certain period of timeThe software used is STATA (12). Findings : Gross Domestic product and energy consumption continues to be the explanatory variables for carbon emissions in the Asian region. The coefficient of gross domestic product is a positve and statistically signficant for all countries ; so growth of income leads to environmental degradation proxied by carbon emissions. For India the bulk of the shock of the dependent variable is due to improvement in gross domestic product and trade openness. For Pakistan the bulk of the shock in the dependent variable is on account of gross domestic product, energy utilization. In the long run, the countries need to embrace more energy conservation policies no matter what the directional approach in the short run may be. The contribution of the current paper is to assess the short and long run equilibrium association of carbon emanations, economic expansion, energy use, urban development and trade for India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China under a Vector Error Correction Model. Improvements: The study contributes in examining the dynamics of short run association among the variables; to explore the presence of long term equilibrium relation, to capture the linear dependencies among the variables under study and to test the responsiveness to shocks in the system.
Melatonin as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study

ABSTRACT Background: There are only a few studies involving the use of melatonin for premedication for anaesthesia. The goal of our study was to compare the effects of melatonin and midazolam administered as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 53 patients (ASA I, II) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 18) included patients receiving 3 mg melatonin the night before and as premedication; group 2 (n = 17) included the patients receiving 3,75 mg midazolam (1/2 of a 7,5 mg tablet) by the same protocol as for melatonin; and group 3 (n = 18) included patients receiving placebo tablets. Preoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores, as well as the quality of preanaesthetic sleep, were evaluated. Postoperatively, the anxiety and sedation scores and the number of remembered pictures were evaluated at 15 and 60 minutes and 6, 12 and 24 hours respectively. The intra-anaesthetic opioid requirements were also evaluated. Results: Preoperatively the lowest anxiety score was registered in the midazolam group; also the difference between the melatonin and midazolam groups was not significant. In the placebo group the anxiety score was significantly higher as compared with melatonin or midazolam. Postoperatively anxiety scores were lowest in the melatonin group at every time interval. The scores for the remembered pictures were consistently better in the melatonin group. The sedation score was lower in the melatonin group as compared with midazolam, as were the intra-anaesthetic opioid requirements. Conclusions: Melatonin (3 mg) can be successfully used as premedication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially for day case surgery. Advantages over midazolam and placebo include better perioperative anxiolysis, and a better recovery profile as assessed by sedation and memory.
Cultural and pathogenic characterization of Fusarium fungi isolated from dieback branches of cacao

Fusarium species are known as pathogens on cacao causing dieback, but field observation showed apparent variation in suspected Fusarium-caused dieback. We hypothesized that many strains or species infect cacao trees, and, therefore, we evaluated isolates by culturing in semi synthetic PDA medium and infecting cacao seedlings artificially. Of four isolates from cacao branch collected in Luwu, Soppeng, Banyuwangi, and Luwu Timur, one had red maroon mycelia, the second white creamy mycelia, the third pink and white mycelia, and the fourth white mycelia. Symptoms on seedling leaves eight weeks after inoculation of roots with the four isolates were respectively yellowing with green spots, yellowing with green veins, wrinkling, and yellowing with brown spots and green veins. Incidence of disease in seedlings caused by the four isolates was respectively 25.4%, 28.9%, 8.4%, and 29.2%. These data support the occurrence of four Fusarium pathotypes, which are perhaps different species, that infect cacao trees in the field.
Research Articles : MdMADS2-transgenic chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura) showing the reduction of the days to flowering

This study was conducted to develop new lines expressing the characteristic of early flowering by introducing MdMADS2 gene in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura) ‘Zinba`. Transformation of chrysanthemum was conducted by Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 harboring the binary vector containing MdMADS2 controlled by double CaMV 35S promoters. Ninety three shoots were regenerated from 1,463 leaf segment explants cultured on the first selection medium (MS basal salts + 1.0 mg/L BA + 0.5 mg/L IAA + 10 mg/L kanamycin + 400 mg/L cefotaxime, pH 5.8) after co-cultivation, and 20 out of the 93 shoots rooted on the second selection medium containing 20 mg/L kanamycin and 400 mg/L cefotaxime. Many escapes (98.6%) were removed on the selection stage for rooting. Nineteen lines were confirmed as transgenic plant with transgene by PCR analysis. Six transgenic plants flowered 2-11 days earlier than non-transgenic plant without big change of phenotype, and especially, 3 (Mo-7, Mo-11, Mo-17) out of 6 transgenic lines showed a significant reduction in days to flowering compared to non-transgenic plant. Introduction and expression of MdMADS2 gene in them were confirmed by Southern and real-time PCR analyses, respectively.
The Stripe 82 Massive Galaxy Project – II. Stellar mass completeness of spectroscopic galaxy samples from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey

This work was supported by World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI Initiative), MEXT, Japan. RT acknowledges support from the Science and Technology Facilities Council via an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (grant number ST/K004719/1). Funding for SDSS-III has been provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Participating Institutions, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Energy Office of Science.
The Characteristic of Energy Metabolism and Nutritional Supplement of Volleyball Athletes

Substantial metabolism and energy metabolism is the base of the normal operation for every organ. Nutrition arrangement instructed by the knowledge about the regularities of metabolism is very significant. The purpose of the presented study was the examination of nutrition intake influence on energy metabolism in young volleyball players. The study was performed in twenty four 16-18 years old male volleyball players in the competition period. Subjects were divided into 2 groups, depending on the calcium intake: more than 1300 mg/day in the first group (13 athletes); and less than 1300 mg/day in the second group (11 athletes). The nutrition mode assessment was based on the 24-h dietary history using the recall method. In the blood serum concentrations of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase (bALP), C-terminal telopeptide of collagen I (ICTP), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like-growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), growth hormone (hGH) and ionized calcium and magnesium were determined. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between both groups investigated in respect to the calcium (p<0.01) and protein (p<0.05) intake and the bALP and (IGFBP-3) concentrations (p<0.05). The results of the study led us to conclude that low calcium and protein intake together with systematic sport activity negatively influenced the bone formation level. At last to improve the capacity of sports man we give some advice such as the methods of volleyball train and supplying some nutrient matter in the training.
Methodology of Assessing the Quality of Surfaced Layers on the Basis of Internal Welding Imperfections

In manufactured or refurbished machinery parts, surfaced layers are often characterised by the presence of welding imperfections, usually reducing the active life of equipment and machinery. The development of an appropriate methodology and the specification of assessment criteria concerning the quality of surfaced layers could facilitate the assessment of surfaced elements in relation to their load transferring capability. The article describes tests involving specimens surfaced using various methods, proposes a methodology of testing the quality of overlay welds on the basis of macroscopic observations and specifies criteria to be applied when assessing the above named quality on the basis of established dependences.
A Different Mind: Developing Museum Programs for Children with Autism

Museums are in a position to provide educational programs for children with autism. A D~fferent Mind. : Developing Museum Programs for Children with Autism addresses the unique challenges that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) may face in an informal learning environment. The purpose of this thesis is to present an overview of programs that can include children with ASDs. Model case studies are included: "CreateAbilityn at the Museum of Modem Art, New York City; "Discoveries" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City; and "Saturday Morning Stripes" at the Children's Museum of the Arts, New York City. This thesis also discusses museum program around the country that include children with autism. With an understanding of educational techniques that help children with autism, museum professionals can implement successful programs for this population.
Relationships Among Risk, Sense of Coherence, and Well‐Being in Parents of Children With and Without Intellectual Disabilities

The authors studied the nature and function of the relationships of the comparative level of risk, sense of coherence (SOC), and well-being, over time, in mothers and fathers of preschool children with and without intellectual disabilities (IDs). The hypothesis that SOC functions as a moderator between risk and well-being was tested. Parents of children with IDs (mothers: n = 62 (46 at follow-up) and fathers: n = 49 (37 at follow-up)) and control parents (mothers: n = 178 (131 at follow-up) and fathers: n = 141 (97 at follow-up)) answered self-report measures on risk factors (i.e., child behavior problems, negative impact on the family and socioeconomic situation) and sense of coherence. Well-being and quality of life were used as outcomes, and were measured at baseline and at a one-year follow-up. The hypothesis of moderation was tested conducting multiple linear regression analyses. The level of well-being was moderately stable over the two time points, with parents of children with ID having lower level of well-being than control parents both initially and after one year. Well-being was also related to level of SOC and cumulative risk with parents experiencing lower SOC or more risk also reporting lower well-being. The hypothesis of SOC acting as a moderator in the relation between cumulative risk and well-being found some support in the longitudinal analyses, but only for well-being (BDI-2r) among control mothers.
Increased folivory in brown spider monkeys Ateles hybridus living in a fragmented forest in Colombia

Habitat loss and fragmentation are globally pervasive processes that have increased in recent decades in the remaining tropical forests of the world (Achard et al. 2002, Fahrig 2003). For example, in Latin America and the Caribbean, Aide et al. (2013) estimated that between 2001 and 2010 deforestation resulted in the conversion of >540 000 km2 of tropical woody vegetation into agricultural fields and pastures. Although other large areas also began natural recovery processes during this time (Aide et al. 2013), it may be decades before these areas attain the structure, composition and functionality of the original habitats and ecosystems. For New World primates, fragmentation poses a major threat to wild populations, given their almost strictly arboreal habits (Rosenberger & Strier 1989).