Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Weighted Least Squares Estimator for Moving Target Localization in Distributed MIMO Radar With Location Uncertainties

An asymptotically efficient estimator for determining the position and velocity of a moving target from time delay and Doppler shift measurements in the presence of location uncertainties in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems with widely separated antennas is presented. It is considered that the actual positions of transmitters and receivers are not available. By taking both the location and measurement errors into account, a novel closed-form two-stage weighted least-squares solution to the problem is developed and analyzed. In order to generate a substantial improvement in the performance of the method, a weighting matrix is employed at each stage of the process. The accuracy properties of the method as well as the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB) for target localization accuracy are derived in the case of Gaussian observations. The proposed algorithm is shown analytically to achieve the CRLB under small noise conditions. Simulations are included to examine the algorithms performance and corroborate the theoretical developments.
Place des prothèses transcordales dans la prise en charge des sténoses laryngo trachéales bénignes

Les stenoses benignes, touchant les structures laryngees et tracheales hautes, representent un challenge therapeutique. La decision chirurgicale ou endoscopique interventionnelle doit etre evaluee par une equipe multidisciplinaire afin de mesurer la balance benefices-risques pour chaque patient. Objectifs : l’objectif de cette etude retrospective est de rapporter l’experience de 2 centres francais utilisant des protheses transcordales (PTC) en silicone pour la prise en charge endoscopique des stenoses laryngotracheales benignes (SLTB), en precisant l’efficacite, les complications et la tolerance de celles-ci. Methodes : nous avons procede a un recueil retrospectif de tous les cas de SLTB traitees par PTC, entre janvier 2001 et juin 2017, de 2 centres de soins tertiaires francais : le centre hospitalier regional universitaire de Strasbourg et le centre hospitalier universitaire Nord de Marseille. Resultats : dix-sept patients ont ete inclus. Onze avait une tracheotomie lors de leur prise en charge initiale qui consistait en la mise en place de 8 tubes en T et de 9 protheses droites. Les principales complications rapportees etaient des troubles mineurs de la deglutition chez 5 patients (29,4%), des granulomes chez 3 patients (17,6%), une migration de prothese chez 2 patients (11 ,7%), et une dysphonie severe chez 3 patients (17,6%). Apres une duree moyenne de 18,3 mois, la PTC de 11 patients (64,7%) a pu etre definitivement retiree, 13 patients (76,4%) n’ont plus de tracheotomie et 4 patients (23,5%) ont toujours une PTC en place. Conclusion : le traitement des SLTB de l’adulte par PTC est associe a une faible morbidite et un excellent pronostic avec une majorite de patients sevres de materiels prothetiques au long cours.
Electrophoretic profiles of gliadin subunits to evaluate genetic diversity of Triticum persicum Boiss. and Triticum pyramidale Percival.

The genetic diversity of two tetraploid wheat species were analyzed by examining seed storage protein markers at Gli-A1 and Gli-B1 ; gliadin loci. Samples were collected from Iran, some areas of the Middle East and north of Africa (Egypt) comprising 30 populations of Triticum persicum and Triticum pyramidale . High rate of electrophoretic polymorphism was detected at studied loci in two species. In T. persicum a total of 72 allelic variants on 2 loci were detected, including 41 for Gli-A1 and 31 for Gli-B1 . In the T. pyramidale samples, 50 allelic variants were observed totally. In Triticum pyramidale the number of alleles were 28 and 22 for Gli-A1 and Gli-B1 respectively. No null alleles were observed in the T. persicum samples and the total number of allelic variants in Iranian and samples from the other countries were distinguished 42 and 30, respectively. In T.pyramidale conversely, the total number of allelic variants for Egyptian samples were 19 which was the highest number among samples from the other countries. Iranian population of T.persicum (No 1 from Noorabad of Iran) showed the highest level of genetic diversity (A = 3.00, Ne = 2.11, He = 0.63 and GD = 0.51 ). Conversely, population No 7 from Cairo had the highest diversity ( A = 3.00, Ne = 2.50, He = 0.67 and GD = 0.57) in T.pyramidale .
Effects of Drying Intervals and Repeated Rain Events on Runoff Nutrient Dynamics from Soil Treated with Broiler Litter

ABSTRACT Even though the effect of poultry litter application on runoff nutrient concentrations has been thoroughly evaluated, the timing of broiler litter application and estimated runoff nutrient dynamics are not well documented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how time to rainfall and repeated rain events affect nutrient concentrations and dynamics in runoff from a Ruston sandy loam (fine, mixed active, thermic Aquic Hapludults) soil established with Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.). Air-dried soil was packed into runoff boxes (144 cm long, 20 cm wide, and 10 cm deep) to a bulk density of 1.30 g cm−3. Hybrid Bermuda grass was established by plugging (26 plugs per box). Broiler litter was broadcast at the rate of 9 Mg ha−1. Simulated rainfall (27 mm h−1) was applied until 15 min of runoff was collected at 0, 3, 6, and 9 d after broiler litter application. Also, 8 successive rainfall events were applied at 3-d intervals to the soil incubated for 9-d with broiler litter and commercial fertilizer and runoff was collected for 15 min for each rain event. Increasing time between litter application and rainfall event from 0 to 9 d reduced runoff of total N, NH4-N and NO3-N by 50, 64, and 31%, respectively. Total P and dissolved P concentrations in runoff decreased to 35 and 43% of initial time of application values (0 d), respectively. Runoff N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn concentrations decreased with successive rain events and approached the ones in unfertilized soil. Avoiding litter applications during periods of possible high intensity rainfall reduces the potential environmental hazard.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Psidium guajava L.

A (GA) n and (GT) n microsatellite-enriched library was constructed and 23 nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were characterized in the guava species ( Psidium guajava L.). All SSR loci were found to be polymorphic after screening for diversity in different cultivars, and across-taxa amplification tests showed the potential transferability of most SSR markers in three other Psidium species. First to be published for P. guajava , this new SSR resource will be a powerful tool for genetic studies of guava, including cultivars identification and linkage mapping, as well as potentially for interspecific genetic studies within the genus Psidium .
Antimicrobial activity of pomegranate rind peel extracts

The pomegranate, Punica granatum L. , is an ancient, mystical, unique fruit borne on a small, long-living tree cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region. Pomegranate is used in several systems of medicine for a variety of ailments. The synergistic action of the pomegranate constituents appears to be superior to that of single constituents. P. garantum , have been reported to have antimicrobial activity against a range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Pomegranate formulations containing ferrous salts have enhanced although on short-term. The aim of this experiment is to determine the antimicrobial activities of combinations of pomegranate rind extract with range of metal salts with the addition of vitamin C. Phytochemical analyses was made to determine the active inhibitors in rind extract, including phenolics and flavonoids.
Anal intraepithelial neoplasia: diagnosis, screening, and treatment

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is a premalignant lesion for anal cancer. It is more commonly found in high-risk patients (e.g., human papilloma virus (HPV)/human immunodeficiency virus infections, post-organ transplantation patients, and men who have sex with men) and development is driven by HPV infection. The incidence of AIN is difficult to estimate, but is heavily skewed by preexisting conditions, particularly in high-risk populations. The diagnosis is made from cytology or biopsy during routine examinations, and can be performed at a primary care provider’s office. A pathologist can then review and classify cells, based on nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratios. The classification of low or high grade can better predict progression from AIN to anal cancer. There is little debate that AIN can develop into anal cancer, and the main rationale for treatment is to delay the progression. Significant controversy remains regarding screening, surveillance, and treatment for AIN. Management options are separated into surveillance (watchful waiting) and interventional strategies. Emerging data suggest that close patient follow up with a combination of ablative and topical treatments may offer the greatest benefit. HPV vaccination offers a unique treatment prior to HPV infection and the subsequent development of AIN, but its use after the development of AIN is limited. Ablative treatment includes excision, fulguration, and laser therapy.
Effects of xylem water transport on CO2 efflux of woody tissue in a tropical tree, Amazonas State

We assessed the effect of xylem sap flux on radial CO2 efflux of woody tissue of a tropical trees species growing in the Center of Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil). An open chamber system was used to constantly measure diurnal changes in CO2 efflux over several days. Xylem sap flux was monitored additionally. We found a strong relationship between temperature and woody tissue respiration rates during night time. CO2 efflux rates were reduced up to 35% during daytime most probably due to vertical water uptake within the tree trunks. The results suggest a distinct daytime depression of the CO2 efflux compared with a night time temperature relationship. Xylem sap flux appears to be a major influence on CO2 efflux rates. The reductions in CO2 efflux will become most distinct during periods with a high evaporative demand and predictions of CO2 efflux by the temperature/flux relation are critical during these periods.
Study of Perinatal Outcome in Oligohydramnios in Term Pregnancy

AIM & OBJECTIVE : To determine the perinatal outcome in term pregnancies with AFI≤ 5 by amniotic fluid index. METHODS : Patients more than 37 wks with intact membranes induced or coming with spontaneous onset of labour to Govt. Theni Medical College Hospital labour room were recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent and had amniotic fluid volume assessment using ultrasound by the amniotic fluid index method. The ultrasound examination was done by the obstetricians who were not involved in monitoring the patients using 3.5 MHz linear transducer on a LOGIQ 100 PRO (GE) ultrasonography machine. AFI was estimated by the four quadrant method described by Phelan and colleagues. With patient in supine position and the uterus was divided by using the umbilicus and the linea nigra as reference points for the upper and the lower halves and for the left and right halves respectively . A pocket of amniotic fluid was defined as a column of fluid with a width of more than 5 mm free of fetal extremities and the umbilical cord. The ultrasound transducer was kept in a perpendicular plane to the patient table and without angling to follow the maternal abdomens curvature. Amniotic fluid index was measured based on the sum total of the deepest vertical pockets in each of the four quadrants. These patients were divided into 2 groups by AFI method and designated as having oligohydramnios less than 5 and more than 5cm. No intervention was carried out based on the AFV measurements. All patients were monitored by continuous external cardiotocogram (CTG) in labour and the APGAR scoring was done after delivery. The results were analysed only at the end of the study. Categorical study variables were compared between the study group and the control group using Chi square test and paired t test. Tests were used to compare the numerical variables between the study group. P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS : Demographic characters were similar. Compared to normal amniotic fluid volume, AFI ≤5 was associated with increased incidence of caesarean delivery for fetal distress, low APGAR score after delivery, increase in intrapartum abnormal fetal heart rate pattern, increased incidence of NICU admission and neonatal death. CONCLUSION : From this study we conclude that oligohydramnios is a high risk pregnancy and proper antepartum care is required in patients with oligohydramnios. Every case of oligohydramnios needs careful antenatal evaluation, individualization, decisions regarding time and mode of delivery. Oligohydramnios can result in IUGR, poor perinatal outcome and perinatal death.
SHEAR-net: An End-to-End Deep Learning Approach for Single Push Ultrasound Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging.

Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography (USWE) with conventional B-mode imaging demonstrates better performance in lesion segmentation and classification problems. In this article, we propose SHEAR-net, an end-to-end deep neural network, to reconstruct USWE images from tracked tissue displacement data at different time instants induced by a single acoustic radiation force (ARF) with 100% or 50% of the energy in conventional use. The SHEAR-net consists of a localizer called the S-net to first localize the lesion location and then uses recurrent layers to extract temporal correlations from wave patterns using different time frames, and finally, with an estimator, it reconstructs the shear modulus image from the concatenated outputs of S-net and recurrent layers. The network is trained with 800 simulation and a limited number of CIRS tissue mimicking phantom data and is optimized using a multi-task learning loss function where the tasks are: inclusion localization and modulus estimation. The efficacy of the proposed SHEAR-net is extensively evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively on 125 test set of motion data obtained from simulation and CIRS phantoms. We show that the proposed approach consistently outperforms the current state-of-the-art method and achieves overall 4-5 dB improvement in PSNR and SNR. In addition, an average gain of 0.15 in DSC and SSIM values indicate that the SHEAR-net has a better inclusion coverage area and structural similarity of the two approaches. The proposed real-time deep learning based technique can accurately estimate shear modulus for a minimum tissue displacement of 0.5$\mu$m and image multiple inclusions with a single push ARF.
Structural characterization for N‐terminal domain of caveolin‐1

Caveolin‐1 is a principal protein in the plasma membrane microdomains called caveolae. Caveolae play an important role in the transcytosis and pinocytosis. Therefore, caveolin‐1 is most likely to work for the membrane dynamic events. In addition, caveolin‐1 interacts with various signaling molecules. Although caveolin‐1 possesses a variety of physiological functions, its structural properties were little construed. Here we analyzed the structural dynamics of the N‐terminal caveolin‐1 (residues 1–101), in order to better understand the structural properties in terms of its versatile functionality. We first analyzed its oligomeric form using GST‐fused N‐terminal domain, revealing that it equilibrates between a dimer and monomers in a concentration‐dependent manner. The N‐terminal domain of caveolin‐1 was previously found to form a heptamer, so that our data suggest the dimeric form as an intermediate structure for the heptamer formation. Then, we obtained the folding profile, which indicated that AGH2o is about 0.5 ±0.03 kcal/mol. The stability of N‐terminal domain is relatively low, indicating that N‐terminal domain may not be crystalline. Conclusively, the dynamic and flexible structure of N‐terminal domain appears more favorable to maintain the versatile functions of caveolin‐1.
Determination of the DNA and Amino Acid Sequences of the Lactate Dehydrogenase Gene from Plasmodium falciparum Strains K1 and PF FCBR: A Route to the Design of New Antimalarials

This paper describes cloning of the gene coding for the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene from the two different strains of Plasmodium falciparum, K1 and PF FCBR. The DNA sequences of LDH genes of these two strains were found to be identical. Amino acid sequence alignment of LDH from P. falciparum strains K1 and PF FCBR (PfLDH) to some other known LDH sequences showed that PfLDH has 29% residue identities with Bacillus stearothermophilus (BsLDH) and 29%, 31%, 33% with dogfish, man-M4, and pig-M4 LDHs, respectively. It was also shown that PfLDH has insertions and single amino acid deletions. Two deletions are glutamate-48 and glycine-217. It has a single amino acid insertion, a tyrosine, between residues 73 and 74, and most remarkably a five residue insertion in the catalytic loop compared to other LDH sequences. This five residue insertion could be exploited in drug design.
Production and Verification of Hydrangea macrophylla x H. angustipetala Hybrids

The genetic diversity among H. macrophylla (Thunberg) Seringe taxa is limited as a result of the restricted native distribution and multiple breeding programs that used the same taxa and targeted similar breeding goals. This study assessed the compatibility of interspecific crosses between Hydrangea macrophylla and H. angustipetala Hayata as a source of genetic diversity. Two lacecap cultivars of H. macrophylla, 'Lady in Red' and Midnight Duchess ('HYMMAD II'), were compatible with H. angustipetala. Hybridity of progeny was confirmed by simple sequence repeat markers and morphological comparisons. Some hybrids had red- or purple-pigmented stems, which are character- istic of 'Lady in Red' or Midnight Duchess, respectively. All hybrids had white lacecap inflorescences. Some of the hybrid flowers were fragrant. Winter leaf retention of the hybrids ranged from deciduous to semievergreen. Male fertility of progeny was evaluated by fluorescein diacetate staining of pollen. 'Lady in Red', Midnight Duchess, and H. angustipetala had 62%, 58%, and 79% stainable pollen, respectively, whereas the 'Lady in Red' · H. angustipetala and Midnight Duchess · H. angustipetala hybrids had means of 48% and 47% stainable pollen, respectively. Selected progeny were used to develop F2 and BC1 populations. The interspecific hybrids produced in this study were attractive, fertile plants that are being used in further breeding to develop new cultivars.
Relationships between illness representations, physical activity and depression in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is exacerbated by depression and confers significant healthcare costs. Whilst adverse impacts may be mitigated by physical activity, many patients with CKD remain physically inactive, with this physical inactivity potentially influenced by how CKD is appraised. OBJECTIVES The study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity, depression and illness representations in CKD. METHODS Patients with CKD but not requiring dialysis completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Short-Form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Demographic information was obtained via medical records. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to determine the relationship of illness representations with levels of physical activity. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed to investigate the role of depression in any relationship between illness representations and physical activity levels. RESULTS Seventy respondents, 60 % male, with a mean age of 60 ± 16 years, took part in the study. Of illness representation dimensions, personal control was positively associated with levels of physical activity whilst timeline cyclical (a subscale of the IPQ-R relating to patient beliefs about the nature of their illness) was a significant predictor. Severity of depression was neither a moderator nor a mediator of illness representations and levels of physical activity. CONCLUSION Facets of illness representations had significant relationships with levels of physical activity. Future research concerning the development and validation of psychological interventions based on an illness representations framework for patients with CKD not requiring dialysis is proposed. The efficacy of such interventions could be then evaluated using a randomised controlled method.
Survival and Abundance of Young Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) and Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) as Indicators of Year-class Strength

To identify the life history stage(s) most influential in determining yearclass strength, we constructed and analyzed survival curves of the 1983, 1984, and 1985 cohorts of cod and haddock off Southwest Nova Scotia relative to their physical and biological environment. Relative abundance of each Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) yearclass was not reflected by egg or larval abundance in any year examined. However, abundance of both pelagic and settled juveniles did appear to reflect yearclass strength. Egg and larval mortality could not be consistently linked with advection from the spawning site, and did not covary with subsequent recruitment. In both species, mortality between the larval and juvenile stage was inversely correlated with yearclass strength, but sources of the mortality could not be identified. Larval growth was inversely related to mortality of the early larval stage and independent of larval abundance. However, juvenile growth was proportional to mortality.
Effects of native vegetation on invasion success of Chinese tallow in a floating marsh ecosystem

1 Interactions between resident and exotic species have been shown to control the biotic resistance of communities to invasion. With different life stages of the exotic species, each sequential interaction may dampen or strengthen previous ones, thereby influencing invasion success. 2 We assessed the effects of resident vegetation type on the arrival and performance of Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow), a widespread invader in freshwater floating marshes, using a combination of field studies and glasshouse experiments. 3 Our results indicated that Triadica abundance was positively associated with native woody species, particularly the native actinorhizal shrub Morella cerifera (wax myrtle). Seed dispersal and germination of Triadica were generally low but suggestive that Morella has weak, facilitative effects on the spread of Triadica by channelling its dispersal by birds into shrub thickets and promoting germination upon arrival. Triadica seedling growth was greatest where light and total inorganic N were higher. Growth of Triadica trees was greater in marsh sites without Morella and did not exhibit any detectable responses to elevated N levels in substrates from Morella thickets. 4 Morella may facilitate the spread of Triadica in floating shrub communities, yet inhibit its growth once established. The few individuals that establish in herbaceous marshes grow faster and may therefore reach maturity sooner than in Morella shrub thickets. 5 Synthesis. Our work suggests that the net effects of facilitation and inhibition by native, resident species on exotics can influence invasion success. In this case, weak, facilitative effects operating in the arrival and establishment phases of invasion are not completely negated by subsequent negative interactions between the same species, enabling the invader to persist. Models that quantify the relative strength and cumulative effects of these interactions are needed to improve predictions of community invasibility.