Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac magnetic resonance in cardiac resynchronization therapy: How useful it can be?

Patients with heart failure, reduced ejection fraction, and signs of myocardial dyssynchrony have a poor prognosis. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is a proven therapeutic modality that reduces symptoms of heart failure as well as morbidity and mortality in these patients. Better identification of patients who could benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy is an important factor because a significant percentage of patients do not experience clinical improvement after CRT implantation. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a useful, non-invasive, sophisticated diagnostic tool that can provide useful information on the aetiology of heart failure and the severity of mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricle. It helps evaluate the myocardial scar burden, which can predict a possible unsatisfactory response to therapy and helps improve clinical outcomes by enabling optimal positioning of the LV lead. Cardiac magnetic resonance in patient follow up after CRT implantation is proven to have significant clinical value. Conclusion: Cardiac magnetic resonance is a non-invasive imaging modality that can provide better identification of the patients who could respond well to cardiac resynchronization therapy. By providing valuable information about the severity of mechanical dyssynchrony, the myocardial scar burden and optimal positioning of the LV lead, it is useful in improving clinical outcomes after CRT implantation.
A dialogical self-approach to understanding teacher identity in times of educational innovations

Scientific literature has repeatedly demonstrated the difficulty of implementing relevant and sustained educational innovations. In this article, we defend that a deep and permanent change can only be achieved if the professional identity of the teachers participating in the innovation is changed. From the perspective of the Dialogical Self Theory, this change of identity implies a change in the I-positions of the individual participants, but also of their identity as a team or We-position.
Gratitude and Resilience among Adolescents Who Have Experienced Parental Divorce

Compared to other cities in Indonesia, DKI Jakarta, as one of the largest urban areas, is ranked quite high in divorce rates. It is known that parental divorce has several impacts on children. For example, adolescents with divorced parents have a greater risk of various psychological problems. Previous studies have shown that gratitude enhances positivity and optimism, and it also helps individuals through difficult times, including parental divorce. This non-experimental study aims to determine the role of gratitude in resilience among adolescents (12 – 21 years old) based in the Jakarta metropolitan area (Jabodetabek), whose parents are divorced. Non-probability sampling was used to recruit the participants (n = 109). The measurements used in this study are the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (α = 0.896) and Gratitude Scale Indonesian Version (Skala Bersyukur Versi Indonesia (SBI)) (α = 0.896). Simple linear regression showed that gratitude plays a significant role in a participant’s resilience (p < 0.05). Further, 28.9% of the variance in resilience can be explained by gratitude. These findings highlight the importance of gratitude interventions to enhance resilience among adolescents with divorced parents.
Equally weighted portfolios and “momentum effect”: an interesting combination for unsophisticated investors?

Este artigo propoe estrategias de investimento focadas em investidores sem sofisticacao e estruturadas com base em persistencia de retornos, especialmente em curto e medio prazos (“efeito momento”). Sessenta e quatro carteiras igualmente ponderadas foram formadas, por meio da variacao de cinco diferentes parâmetros: tamanho, frequencia de revisao, indicador para selecao dos ativos, criterio para escolha e periodo de formacao. Os desempenhos das carteiras propostas foram avaliados no periodo de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2018 e comparados ao desempenho do BOVA11 (fundo de indice que tem como objetivo replicar o Ibovespa, principal indice do mercado acionario brasileiro). Os custos transacionais foram considerados. Os resultados corroboram a hipotese de efeito momento. As carteiras vencedoras se mostraram tambem boas alternativas em termos de estrategia de investimento, visto que apresentaram retorno mediano e Indice de Sharpe superiores aos do benchmark, alem de alfas positivos. Testes adicionais apontaram que os custos transacionais podem impactar de forma significativa os desempenhos dos portfolios. A analise apresentada neste artigo e relevante para investidores nao sofisticados, ao introduzir uma estrategia de investimento competitiva, porem de facil implementacao.
CAN SPOT-6/7 CNN SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION IMPROVE SENTINEL-2 BASED LAND COVER PRODUCTS? SENSOR ASSESSMENT AND FUSION

Abstract. Needs for fine-grained, accurate and up-to-date land cover (LC) data are important to answer both societal and scientific purposes. Several automatic products have already been proposed, but are mostly generated out of satellite sensors like Sentinel-2 (S2) or Landsat. Metric sensors, e.g. SPOT-6/7, have been less considered, while they enable (at least annual) acquisitions at country scale and can now be efficiently processed thanks to deep learning (DL) approaches. This study thus aimed at assessing whether such sensor can improve such land cover products. A custom simple yet effective U-net - Deconv-Net inspired DL architecture is developed and applied to SPOT-6/7 and S2 for different LC nomenclatures, aiming at comparing the relevance of their spatial/spectral configurations and investigating their complementarity. The proposed DL architecture is then extended to data fusion and applied to previous sensors. At the end, the proposed fusion framework is used to enrich an existing S2 based LC product, as it is generic enough to cope with fusion at distinct levels.
Effect of yarn structure variables on comfort properties for cotton towels

The main purpose of this research is to study the effects of yarn structure variables as key factors influencing the comfort characteristics of cotton towel fabrics. Results of this work can help the producers or manufacturer to create desired quality towel fabric using optimum yarn parameters. The heaviest Grams per Square Meter (GSM) and the highest water vapor permeability were recorded by the Egyptian variety (Giza 90) while the maximum water absorption and air permeability were recorded by the Sudan variety (Acala). It is shown that the mean values of all comfort properties except air permeability decreased when the yarn count and twist multiplier increased. It is obvious that most interaction effects among the yarn parameters (cotton materials, yarn count and twist multiplier) were no significant for all towel comfort properties. It is found negatively and highly significant correlation coefficient between air permeability and each one of the other towel comfort properties. On the other hand, it is indicated that the heavier and thicker towel had more ability to water absorption and water vapor permeability. Also, there was positive and highly significant relation between water absorption and water vapor permeability. Results indicated that there were positively and highly significant associations between yarn hairiness and all towel comfort properties except air permeability. On the contrary, negatively and highly significant associations were obtained between yarn properties being number of neps, thin and thick places and evenness CV % from one side and all towel comfort properties except air permeability from the other side. It is clear that the yarn elongation and yarn tenacity had weak and ineffective effects on the towel comfort properties.
A novel research approach for whole-life-cycle electrical power systems asset management using retroductive case study method.

There are a vast number of complex influences on power systems assets both individually and as a collection of systems of assets. The complexities when governing what and when to intervene with these assets is played out over varying time frames and represents a mixture of engineering, processes, technology, people and economic contributions. The importance of governing power systems holistically has been shown across decades with outages, safety issues, investment needs etc. As of today, research is yet to provide the effective governance framework to manage power systems assets holistically as-a-system; whilst aggregating decisions made at single asset level to generate consistently better outcomes. This paper sets out an approach to researching the phenomenon of asset management applied to power systems by utilising advancements in engineering asset management research and complex adaptive systems; whilst combining industry contributions and technical practices to ensure the suitability of future work. Ultimately the aim of this paper is to provide guidance and method to holistic decision making for power system companies and the management of power systems assets across the whole life.
The effect of strength training with different frequency on untrained university students

Background and Study Aim: The target of this paper was to examine the effects of strength training with different frequency on physical, performance and strength features on untrained university male students. Material and Methods: 24 subjects (age= 21.47+1.50) were divided into three groups; 8 for strength training group once a week (ST1), 8 for strength training group three times a week (ST3) and 8 for control group (CG). The training groups were applied a 6-week ST that lasted approximately 80-90 minutes for each training 3 days a week for ST3 and once a week for ST1. Analysis of intergroup, intragroup and the effect of training were carried out with repeated measures ANOVA. Significance was set at 0.05. Results: There was no difference in body weight and body mass index values in training groups, while a significant increase was found in CG. In addition, there was a significant decrease in body fat percentage and a significant increase in skeleton muscle mass without any change in body weight and body mass index in ST3. No statistical difference was seen in 10-20 m sprint and agility tests in all groups. For vertical jump, balance test for right and left leg, there was a significant difference between the pre and post-test measurements of ST1 and ST3. In standing long jump measurements, significance was seen in favor of ST3. In strength parameter, while a significant difference was detected in bench press, shoulder press and push-up due to the development of training groups, a statistically significance was found in squat and biceps curl by reason of improvement in ST3. Conclusion: As a conclusion, it can be said that 6-week strength training with different frequency applied on untrained male students has a positive effect on physical, performance and strength features.
A molecular analysis of fungal mating type genes

This work is concerned with the molecular analysis of ascomycete mating type genes of various Sordaria species. Work previously published has reported the cloning and characterisation of mating type genes from several Neurospora species. In heterothallic species the genotype at the mating type locus (mtA or mta) determines the mating type. Homothallic species, which proceed through the sexual cycle without the need to mate, have no obvious mating types but molecular analysis has been used to demonstrate the presence of mating type genes in species with this life cycle. Neurospora species and Sordaria species both belong to the Sordariaceae and are closely related. Several ? clones containing putative Sordaria mating type genes from heterothallic and homothallic species had been isolated previously using N. crassa mtA and mta probes. In this study the mtA1 gene of the heterothallic species S. scierogenia was subcloned from a ? clone and sequenced. The equivalent gene from S. equina (a homothallic species containing only the mtA sequence) was also subcloned and sequenced. A ? clone for the species S. fimicola was found to hybridise with both the mtA and mta probes. S. JImicola is a homothallic species containing mtA and mta in the same nucleus. On sequencing the lambda clone it was found that the mtA and mta genes are linked in this species. All the Sordaria mtA1 genes contained putative DNA binding domains, a domains. The mta-1 gene sequenced from S. firnicola contained a putative HMG box. The S. equina mtA1 gene was expressed in a sterile N. crassa mta mutant and was found to restore mating type function to the mutant. The mtA-1 gene did not however confer homothallic behaviour on the recipient mutant. S. equina and S. scierogenia contain a 59bp common region following on from the mtA-1 gene which is conserved in both these species and in Neurospora species. A variable region continues on from the common region in S. equina and S. scierogenia and in Neurospora species. The variable region can differ between species and between mating types. The evolutionary relationships between Sordaria species and Neurospora species were examined also although the limited amount of data available means any conclusions reached are tentative.
Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes (MAMs) and Their Prospective Roles in Kidney Disease

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs) serve as essential hubs for interorganelle communication in eukaryotic cells and play multifunctional roles in various biological pathways. A defect in ER-mitochondria signaling or MAMs dysfunction has pleiotropic effects on a variety of intracellular events, which results in disturbances of the mitochondrial quality control system, Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, apoptosis, ER stress, and inflammasome activation, which all contribute to the onset and progression of kidney disease. Here, we review the structure and molecular compositions of MAMs as well as the experimental methods used to study these interorganellar contact sites. We will specifically summarize the downstream signaling pathways regulated by MAMs, mainly focusing on mitochondrial quality control, oxidative stress, ER-mitochondria Ca2+ crosstalk, apoptosis, inflammasome activation, and ER stress. Finally, we will discuss how alterations in MAMs integrity contribute to the pathogenesis of kidney disease and offer directions for future research.
Cohort study of electroencephalography markers of amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration pathology

Abstract Electroencephalography signatures of amyloid-β, tau and neurodegenerative pathologies would aid in screening for, tracking progression of, and critically, understanding the pathogenesis of dementia. We hypothesized that slowing of the alpha peak frequency, as a signature of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated ‘pacemaker’ channel activity, would correlate with amyloid and tau pathology burden measured by amyloid (Pittsburgh Compound B) and tau (MK-6240) positron emission tomography or CSF biomarkers. We also hypothesized that EEG power would be associated with neurodegeneration (CSF neurofilament light and hippocampal volume). Wakeful high-density EEG data were collected from 53 subjects. Both amyloid-β and tau pathology were associated with slowing in the alpha peak frequency [Pittsburgh Compound B (+) vs. Pittsburgh Compound B (−) subjects, P = 0.039 and MK-6240 (+) vs. MK-6240 (−) subjects, P = 0.019]. Furthermore, slowing in the peak alpha frequency correlated with CSF Aβ42/40 ratio (r2 = 0.270; P = 0.003), phosphoTau (pTau181, r2 = 0.290; P = 0.001) and pTau181/Aβ42 (r2 = 0.343; P < 0.001). Alpha peak frequency was not associated with neurodegeneration. Higher CSF neurofilament light was associated with lower total EEG power (r2 = 0.136; P = 0.018), theta power (r2 = 0.148; P = 0.014) and beta power (r2 = 0.216; P = 0.002); the latter was also associated with normalized hippocampal volume (r2 = 0.196; P = 0.002). Amyloid-tau and neurodegenerative pathologies are associated with distinct electrophysiological signatures that may be useful as mechanistic tools and diagnostic/treatment effect biomarkers in clinical trials.
The Pedagogical Model of Monitoring , Assessment , and Accompaniment to Teachers of the Unidad Educativa Bilingüe Torremar ( UEBT )

In this paper, the authors offer a new perspective on supervision and pedagogical support that has been developed by the Academic Coordinator of the Unidad Educativa Bilingüe Torremar (UEBT). This perspective has been developed over the last two years as a unique practice in the Ecuadorian educational context, particularly in private schools. It is one of the few perspectives that researchers have systematized and investigated in Latin America. The contextualization of the research processes to the authors’ educational institution was based on the limitations presented by teachers in an initial pedagogical diagnosis, consisting of direct observation of the entire population of teachers throughout the institution in every school term. The Academic Coordinator aimed to obtain pedagogical and methodological results in a comprehensive and individualized manner for each of the UEBT teachers. The objective was to achieve significant results in adherence to the scientific theories that underpin the Teaching for Understanding (EpC, in its Spanish acronym) methodology, which the current authors applied and validated using established educational practices and research techniques. The current conclusions may inform the practical implementation of these techniques and may serve as theoretical and methodological foundations that support the pedagogical model of monitoring, assessment, and pedagogical accompaniment. Palabras clave: pedagogical model; monitoring; assessment; pedagogical accompaniment. Cómo citar este artículo:
Tracking Selection Signatures Based on Variation in OsLEA27 within Myanmar Landraces of Upland and Dryland Rice

To track the selection evident along the genome segment of OsLEA27 gene, a member of dehydrin gene family, 2.9-kbp nucleotide sequence containing the promoter 5’ upstream and transcribed region of OsLEA27 was determined for 35 upland and dryland Myanmar landraces from drought-prone areas. Nucleotide diversity, neutrality tests, haplotype network analysis, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were performed to infer the impact of selection and to investigate nonrandom associations of SNPs within all or part of the entire OsLEA27 region. The evidence for LD, the presence of two distinct haplotype groups across four different geographical regions, and the significant values obtained in a sliding-window analysis of mutation-drift tests all suggest the effects of selection on OsLEA27 in a set of 30 landraces. The neutrality test values for 5’ upstream region of OsLEA27 were significantly negative (p OsLEA27 region was significantly negative in accessions of the northern group, indicating a recent increase in population size or selection pressure. This evidence for selection signatures at OsLEA27 in this study sample provides insight into the roles of selection, crop adaptation, and genetic diversity in establishing present-day variation at the OsLEA27 locus.
Mild inflammation causes a reduction in resting-state amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in healthy adult males

Systemic inflammation has been associated with negative mood states and human sickness behaviour. Previous studies have shown an association between systemic inflammation and changes in task-related blood-oxygen-level-dependent activity and functional connectivity within large-scale networks. However, no study has examined the effect of inflammation on the magnitude of blood-oxygen-level-dependent low-frequency fluctuations at rest. We used a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design to randomise 20 male subjects (aged 20–50 years) to receive either a Salmonella typhi vaccine or a placebo saline injection at two separate sessions. All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance scan and a measure of inflammation (interleukin 6) and mood (Profile of Mood States) 3 h after injection. We compared the whole brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations between the vaccine and placebo conditions using a repeated measures design. Vaccine condition was associated with greater interleukin 6 levels (p < 0.001). Vaccine condition was also associated with lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in the right and left frontal pole, superior frontal gyrus, paracingulate gyrus (Cluster 1) and the right mid and inferior frontal gyrus (Cluster 2) (p < 0.001, false discovery rate corrected). Lower amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations pertaining to first cluster correlated with greater total Profile of Mood States score (worse mood) (r = −0.38; p = 0.04). These results imply possible excitation/inhibition imbalance mechanisms during inflammation that may be a relevant target in psychiatric disease, especially mood disorders.
Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite-Ag Composite as Antimicrobial Agent

Innovative and improved antimicrobial agents by nanotechnology are developed to control and mitigation of resistant microorganisms. Nanoparticles of metals or oxide metals be able to be toxic to bacteria, demonstrating biocidal behaviors at low concentrations. The integration of silver nanoparticles in ceramic matrices has enhanced the antimicrobial performance, resulting in the search for new composites with improved bactericidal properties. The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize hydroxyapatite-silver nanocomposite and evaluate its antimicrobial properties against various Gram-positive and negative bacteria related to drug-resistance infections. Hydroxyapatite nanopowders were produced by sol-gel and silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction of Ag+ions with the simple addition of gallic acid. Hydroxyapatite-silver composite (HAp-AgNPs) was prepared by adsorption of AgNPs at several concentrations. The results of UV–visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission scanning electron microscopy revealed the existence of AgNPs with diameters around 6 nm. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy corroborated the presence of silver disseminated over the surface of hydroxyapatite nanopowders. All HAp-AgNPs composites demonstrated excellent antibacterial effect even at lower silver concentration. HAp-AgNPs composites have a higher possibility for medical applications focused no the control of microorganisms with drug-resistance.
A Variational Autoencoder Approach for Representation and Transformation of Sounds

Deep Learning introduces new way to handle audio data. In the last few years, audio synthesis domain started to receive many contributions in sound generation and simulation of realistic speech from the Deep Learning field. Specifically, a model based on a Variational Autoencoder is hereby introduced. This model can reconstruct an audio signal 4096 samples long (512ms with 8KHz sample rate) after a ×32 compression factor from which 20 features have been collected to describe the whole audio. The 20 features are then used to reconstruct back the input. The model is adapted to collect items of the same class in the same sub-region of the compressed features space. This approach allows morphing operations between sub-regions corresponding to different types of audio. In order to reach this goal two loss functions are used in the model: a reconstruction loss regularised with a variational loss and a classification loss applied at the bottleneck. This report compares the results of three Variational Autoencoders based on convolution layers, dilation layers and a combination of them. The evaluation of the models is based on 1-Nearest Neighbour classification at the bottleneck and a Dynamic Time Warping based on MFCC features to evaluate respectively the instances distribution in the bottleneck layers and the goodness of the reconstruction task. Finally a music application is introduced for drum samples. Fakultet for IT og Design, Aalborg Universitet København Ophavsmand: Matteo Lionello Tilsynsførende: Dr. Hendrik Purwins