Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of liver fat among children and adolescents from five different ethnic groups

As rates of obesity around the world have increased, so has the detection of high level of liver fat in children and adolescents. This may put them at risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. This analysis of a cross‐sectional population‐based study of children and adolescents evaluated demographic and lifestyle determinants of percent liver fat.
Verhulst-Pearl growth model versus Malthusian growth model for in vitro evaluation of lead removal in wastewater by Photobacterium sp

Mathematical modeling of microbial populations has a long history of application in the fields of ecology and environmental remediation. In the present study, the Verhulst-Pearl growth model and the Malthusian growth model were used to model and understand the kinetics of Photobacterium sp exposed to lead. The results show that goodness of fit of the Verhulst-Pearl growth model was better that the Malthusian growth model. Therefore, the Verhulst-Pearl growth model is considered the best option for proving useful and reliable information about Photobacterium sp kinetics growth in vitro .
An Innovative Eigenvector-Based Method for Traffic Light Scheduling

This paper introduces two traffic light strategies to control traffic and avoid traffic jam in urban networks. One strategy is a new traffic light scheduling system, which controls traffic light using local variables (waiting time and number of vehicle on links) but has a global impact on the traffic, using shared variables between neighbour intersections. The proposed traffic light scheduling system is designed based on eigenvector centrality of intersection relation matrix. The intersection relation matrix is a new representation of a junction which indicates the traffic relation between intersection’s links and adjacent intersections. The second contribution is expanding a new dual mode traffic light strategy (namely, Exit Status Traffic Light (ETL)), which notifies the drivers whether they are allowed to exit a street or not. In other words, vehicles are allowed to enter a street in both red and green ETL, but they are not allowed to exit the street for a long time in red ETL (while traffic is heavy in the subnetwork). The ETL gives a chance to relax traffic in a subnetwork and avoid traffic jam. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is analysed and evaluated by a number of simulations on three-way grid networks. Two-way rectangular grid networks are modelled via a cell transmission model (CTM). The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) and the number of jammed cells are compared with two state-of-the-art methods.
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extracts inhibit spore germination of Alternaria solani, causal agent of early blight disease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Alternaria solani is highly infective and can sporulate on tomato at 13.2 × 106 spores mL−1. The fungicidal effect of Moringa oleifera leaf chloroform and aqueous extracts (MLCE and MLAE, respectively) was investigated in vitro to determine the inhibitory effect on germination of spores (conidia) of A. solani. Mixtures of spore suspension and MLCE, as well as MLAE (1:1), were prepared and dropped on slides by micropipette with 20 µL spore suspension of A. solani and 20 µL of MLCE and MLAE. The two treatments, MLCE and MLAE, were applied at four concentrations (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg mL−1) and compared with negative (distilled water; no extracts) and positive (diflucan, a commercial fungicide) controls with five replicates. The two extracts showed relatively high inhibitory effects on the germination of conidia from the lowest to the highest concentration. Germination of conidia decreased with increase in the concentrations of the extracts. The study showed that 250 mg mL−1 is the optimum concentration for both MLCE and MLAE. The highest concentration inhibited germination (0.0%) in both extracts. Based on the results from the present study, MLCE and MLAE are both effective in inhibiting germination of A. solani conidia.
Sexual Dysfunction in Diabetic Women: An Update on Current Knowledge

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide and its prevalence is expected to increase in the coming years. Therefore, updated knowledge of all diabetic complications and their management is essential for the proper treatment of these patients. Sexual dysfunctions are one of the long-term complications of DM in both genders. However, female sexuality is still a taboo and sexual concerns are often overlooked, underdiagnosed, and untreated. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the relationship between sexual function and DM in women. In particular, we evaluated the prevalence, etiology, diagnostic approaches, and current treatment options of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in diabetic patients.
A Comprehensive Study on Business Analytics

The decision-making methods have in the past been the topic of several investigates, both within as well as additionally outdoors your business administration area. Several authors have incorporated significantly to boost the study of the issue. An important spot on this location was delivered by Simon, which offered an exceptional payment covering worrying excess of reason in decision making. The searchings for affirm that BA is winding up being extremely well understood one of a lot of providers worldwide, being used if you desire to reinforce business procedure effectiveness. This paper gives an extensive overview of business analytics. Keywords—Business Analytics, BI, publications
Changes in bird assemblages in a wetland ecosystem after 14 years of intensified cattle farming

This study was financially supported by several projects: PNNAT 1128053 and 1128052 (INTA), PICTOCIN I 0022, PIP 0092 (CONICET), PICT Bicentenario 2227 (ANPCyT) and a bilateral cooperation agreement between CSIC & CONICET (Programa de cooperacion cientifica con Iberoamerica from the Spanish Ministry of Education).
Improved Uncalibrated Visual Servo Strategy for Hyper-Redundant Manipulators in On-Orbit Automatic Assembly

Aiming at on-orbit automatic assembly, an improved uncalibrated visual servo strategy for hyper-redundant manipulators based on projective homography is proposed. This strategy uses an improved homography-based task function with lower dimensions while maintaining its robustness to image defects and noise. This not only improves the real-time performance but also makes the joint space of hyper-redundant manipulator redundant to the homography-based task function. Considering that the kinematic parameters of the manipulator are easily changed in a space environment, the total Jacobian between the task function and manipulator joints is estimated online and used to construct a controller to directly control the manipulator joints without a kinematics model. When designing the controller, the above-mentioned redundancy is exploited to solve the problem of the over-limiting of the joint angles of the manipulator. The KF-SVSF method, which combines the optimality of the Kalman filter (KF) and the robustness of the smooth variable structure filter (SVSF), is introduced to the field of uncalibrated visual servos for the first time to perform the online estimation of the total Jacobian. In addition, the singular value filtering (SVF) method is adopted for the first time to avoid the interference caused by the unstable condition number of the estimated total Jacobian. Finally, simulations and experiments verify the superiority of this strategy in terms of its real-time performance and precision.
Evaluating the consistency of large-scale pharmacogenomic studies

Recent years have seen an increase in the availability of pharmacogenomic databases such as Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) that provide genomic and functional characterization information for multiple cell lines. Studies have alluded to the fact that specific characterizations may be inconsistent between different databases. Analysis of the potential discrepancies in the different databases is highly significant, as these sources are frequently used to analyze and validate methodologies for personalized cancer therapies. In this article, we review the recent developments in investigating the correspondence between different pharmacogenomics databases and discuss the potential factors that require attention when incorporating these sources in any modeling analysis. Furthermore, we explored the consistency among these databases using copulas that can capture nonlinear dependencies between two sets of data.
Perceptual Expectations do not Modulate Image Repetition Effects as Measured by Event-Related Potentials

Repeated stimulus presentation leads to complex changes in cortical neuron response properties, commonly known as repetition suppression or stimulus-specific adaptation. Circuit-based models of repetition suppression provide a framework for investigating patterns of repetition effects that propagate through cortical hierarchies. To further develop such models it is critical to determine whether (and if so, when) repetition effects are modulated by top-down influences, such as those related to perceptual expectation. We investigated this by presenting pairs of repeated and alternating face images, and orthogonally manipulating expectations regarding the likelihood of stimulus repetition. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from n=39 healthy adults, to map the spatiotemporal progression of stimulus repetition and expectation effects, and interactions between these factors, using mass univariate analyses. We also tested whether the ability to predict unrepeated (compared to repeated) face identities could influence the magnitude of observed repetition effects, by presenting separate blocks with predictable and unpredictable alternating faces. Multiple repetition and expectation effects were identified between 99-800ms from stimulus onset, which did not statistically interact at any point. Repetition effects in blocks with predictable alternating faces were smaller than in unpredictable alternating face blocks between 117-179ms and 506-652ms, and larger between 246-428ms. ERP repetition effects appear not to be modulated by perceptual expectations, supporting separate mechanisms for repetition and expectation suppression. However, previous studies that aimed to test for repetition effects, in which the repeated (but not unrepeated) stimulus was predictable, are likely to have conflated repetition and stimulus predictability effects. Highlights - ERP face image repetition effects were apparent between 99-800ms from stimulus onset - Expectations of stimulus image properties did not modulate face repetition effects - The predictability of unrepeated stimuli influenced repetition effect magnitudes
A PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT-Coated Screen Printed Immunosensor for Histamine Detection in Food Samples

In this work, we realized a printed immunosensor based on a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to allow histamine detection. We investigated the effect of modifying the immunosensor electrodes with spray-deposited poly(3,4-ethyldioxythiophene)poly(styrenesulfunate) (PEDOT:PSS) and single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to characterize the sensor performance in terms of electron transfer kinetics and to prove an enhancement of the electrode active surface area up to 29.1%, due to the use of the additional PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT film. The calibration curve of the so-realized immunosensor (obtained by chronoamperometry measurements) shows a linear detection range of histamine from 0.05 to 50 ng/ml, with 95.03% coefficient of determination.
Time-resolved proteomics vs. ribosome profiling reveals translation dynamics under stress

Many small molecule chemotherapeutics induce stresses that globally inhibit mRNA translation, remodeling the cancer proteome and governing response to treatment. Here we measured protein synthesis in multiple myeloma cells treated with low-dose bortezomib by coupling pulsed-SILAC (pSILAC) with high-accuracy targeted quantitative proteomics. We found that direct measurement of protein synthesis by pSILAC correlated well with the indirect measurement of protein synthesis by ribosome profiling under conditions of robust translation. By developing a statistical model integrating longitudinal proteomic and mRNA-seq measurements, we found that proteomics could directly detect global alterations in translational rate as a function of therapy-induced stress after prolonged bortezomib exposure. Finally, the model we develop here, in combination with our experimental data including both protein synthesis and degradation, predicts changes in proteome remodeling under a variety of cellular perturbations. pSILAC therefore provides an important complement to ribosome profiling in directly measuring proteome dynamics under conditions of cellular stress.
Updraft-Based Adaptive Assimilation of Radial Velocity Observations in a Warn-on-Forecast System

The Warn-on-Forecast system (WoFS) provides short-term, probabilistic forecasts of severe convective hazards including tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds. WoFS initial conditions are created through frequent assimilation of radar (reflectivity and radial velocity), satellite, and in situ observations. From 2016 to 2018, 5-km radial velocity Cressman superob analyses were created to reduce the observation counts and subsequent assimilation computational costs. The superobbing procedure smooths the radial velocity and subsequently fails to accurately depict important storm-scale features such as mesocyclones. This study retrospectively assimilates denser, 3-km radial velocity analyses in lieu of the 5-km analyses for eight case studies during the spring of 2018. Although there are forecast improvements during and shortly after convection initiation, 3-km analyses negatively impact forecasts initialized when convection is ongoing, as evidenced by model failure and initiation of spurious convection. Therefore, two additional experiments are performed using adaptive assimilation of 3-km radial velocity observations. Initially, an updraft variance mask is applied that limits radial velocity assimilation to areas where the observations are more likely to be beneficial. This experiment reduces spurious convection as well as the number of observations assimilated, in some cases even below that of the 5-km analysis experiments. The masking, however, eliminates an advantage of 3-km radial velocity assimilation for convection initiation timing. This problem is mitigated by additionally assimilating 3-km radial velocity observations in locations where large differences exist between the observed and ensemble-mean reflectivity fields, which retains the benefits of the denser radial velocity analyses while reducing the number of observations assimilated.
Design and implementation of a Luganda text normalization module for a speech synthesis software program

—This paper describes a Luganda text normalization module, a crucial component needed for a Luganda Text to Speech system. We describe the use of a rule-based approach for detection, classiﬁcation and verbalization of Luganda text. At the core of this module are the Luganda grammar rules that were hand-built to normalize Non-Standard Words (NSWs) from different semiotic and noun classes. Input text is ﬁrst analyzed, matched against handcrafted patterns developed using regular expressions to detect any NSWs. Upon detection, NSWs are tokenized and classiﬁed into one of the semiotic classes and then if necessary, into one of the Luganda noun classes. These are subsequently verbalized, each according to its semiotic as well as noun class, and a new text ﬁle is produced. We tested the module with 7 datasets and achieved average detection and normalization rates of 82% and 77.7% respectively.
Black-and-White Textures for Visualization on E-ink Displays

We introduce a design space for black and white textures and the prototype of a design tool that supports designers to explore different black-and-white textures for visualization on e-ink displays. We are currently working on an exploratory online study in which experts will design four different categorical encodings using different types of black-and-white textures.
Understanding the legacy of widespread population translocations on the post‐glacial genetic structure of the European beech, Fagus sylvatica L.

Human impacts have shaped species ranges throughout the Holocene. The putative native range of beech, Fagus sylvatica, in Britain was obscured by its late post‐glacial arrival and subsequent extensive management. We sought to differentiate the interacting effects of post‐glacial colonization and anthropic impacts on the current genetic structure and diversity of beech by contrasting phylogeographical signals from putatively natural and translocated populations.
I2E: A Cognitive Architecture Based on Emotions for Assistive Robotics Applications

Emotions and personality play an essential role in human behavior, their considerations, and decision-making. Humans infer emotions from several modals, merging them all. They are an interface between a subject’s internal and external means. This paper presents the design, implementation, and tests of the Inference of an Emotional State (I2E): a cognitive architecture based on emotions for assistive robotics applications, which uses, as inputs, emotions recognized previously by four affective modals who inferred the emotional state to an assistive robot. Unlike solutions that classify emotions, with a single sign, the architecture proposed in this article will merge four sources of information about emotions into one. For this inference to be closer to a human being, a Fuzzy System Mamdani was used to infer the user’s personalities, and a MultiLayer Perceptron (MLP) was used to infer the robot’s personality. The hypothesis tested in this work was based on the Mehrabian studies and in addition to three experts in psychologists. The I2E architecture proved to be quite efficient for identifying an emotion with various types of input.
Effect of introducing ozone in elemental chlorine free bleaching of pulp on generation of chlorophenolic compounds

Abstract Effect of using ozone before elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching of oxygen delignified wheat straw pulp produced following soda-anthraquinone pulping on bleaching effluent and pulp properties was studied. The effluent generated during bleaching of pulp contains high amount of adsorbable organic halogens (AOX), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and highly toxic chlorophenolic compounds. This study is aimed to utilise green chemistry approach during bleaching of one of the abundantly used agro residue wheat straw for improving the quality of bleaching effluent and pulp properties. Introducing ozone stage before ECF bleaching resulted in significant reduction of chloriphenolic compounds like chlorocatechols by 48.9 %, chloroguaiacols by 33.3 %, chlorovanillins by 28.4 % and chlorophenols by 26.7 % in the effluent compared to those of control. Incorporation of ozone before ECF bleaching BOD, COD, AOX and colour were reduced by 40.0 %, 41.1 %, 46.7 % and 57.8 %, respectively, as compared to control. Optical properties like brightness and whiteness of the pulp bleached using ozone were also improved by 2.5 units and 4.0 units, respectively as compared to that with control.
SCREENING AND IDENTIFICATION OF HEAVY METAL-TOLERANT ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI LASIODIPLODIA THEOBROMAE FROM BOSWELLIA OVALIFOLIOLATA AN ENDEMIC PLANT OF TIRUMALA HILLS

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal resistance potentiality of endophytic fungi isolated from the leaves of Boswellia ovalifoliolata, an endemic medicinal plant of Tirumala Hills. Methods: Initially, isolation of fungal endophytes was carried out. Isolated fungi were screened for the heavy metal resistance against Co, Cd, Cu and Zn using growth and evaluated their maximum tolerant capacity. Molecular identification of endophytic fungi was carried out by 18S rRNA gene amplification and Sanger’s nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using NCBI Clustal W. Results: Ten different endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of B. ovalifoliolata. Among the isolated endophytic fungi, five showed resistance to Co, Cd, Cu, and Zn. The most resistant fungus was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Conclusions: L. theobromae was isolated from B. ovalifoliolata and identified as one of the useful fungi involved in mycoremediation against heavy metal toxicity. Keywords: Heavy metals, Endophytic fungi, Endemic plant, Bioremediation.
Wide distribution of anaerobic ammonium‐oxidizing bacteria in the water column of the South China Sea: Implications for their survival strategies

Anammox bacteria are widely distributed in various environments, but the community composition and survival strategies of anammox bacteria in oligotrophic, deep‐sea water rich in dissolved oxygen (DO) remain unknown. We aimed to understand the distribution of anammox bacteria in the water columns of the South China Sea (SCS).
Investigating large‐scale invasion patterns using‐small scale invasion successions—phenotypic differentiation of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) at invasion fronts

Species invasions are an ever‐growing problem that increases with globalization through increased frequency of unintentional introductions. Between establishment and spread, a lag phase often occurs in which population growth is exponential and dispersal frequency low. Individual variation in behavioral traits, consistent through time and context, have been found crucial for understanding ecological processes such as density dependent dispersal during species invasions. In a previous study of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), we found population differentiation between old and new populations in the Baltic Sea with individuals in new populations being more asocial, bold, and active. Here, we investigate if behavioral differentiations are created already during the initial spread from newly established populations. Hence, we monitored population growth and subsequent small‐scale spread (< 800 m) in two newly invaded areas, as well as the behavioral traits previously connected to dispersal, over two successional seasons. We found phenotypic differentiation between dispersing and resident individuals with small‐scale dispersers being smaller and more asocial. In addition, our catch‐per‐unit‐effort data suggest a lag‐phase of 3–5 yr, following initial colonization, before the round goby start spreading into the surrounding environment. This suggests that, at least in species that grow to high densities fast, sociability is more important than boldness and activity for triggering density‐dependent dispersal.
Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger with Elliptical Tubes

Abstract Numerical investigations of heat transfer and fluid flow have been carried out to study the effect of variation of longitudinal and transverse pitch-to-diameter ratios for a cross-flow heat exchanger with elliptical tubes. A total of 17 configurations of varying compactness are investigated. This investigation also covers the effect of aspect ratio (0.40, 0.53, 0.78, 0.92, and 1.00) and tube arrangement (inline and staggered) on the performance of a cross-flow heat exchanger. Details of heat transfer, friction factor, goodness factor and heat transfer per unit pumping power of (3 × 5) elliptic tube bundle are evaluated in the Reynolds number range of 5,500–14,500. Based on these criteria, weighed by the compactness, the configurations with the longitudinal and transverse pitch-to-diameter values of (2:1.75) and (1.75:2) are recommended.