Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic total variation minimization approach in in-line phase-contrast tomographyT

In-line phase-contrast (IL-PC) imaging is a new physical and biochemical imaging method. Using IL-PC with computed tomography (CT), IL-PC-CT has advantages compared to absorption CT when imaging soft tissues. In practical applications, artifacts are commonly encountered in clinical CT and may obscure or simulate pathologies. In this study, we develop and investigate a reconstruction method for IL-PC-CT. It is based on the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) algorithm combined with anisotropic total variation (TV) minimization. This approach is applied to real liver section synchrotron data to illustrate the performance under cases of complete-view, and few-view projection data. The results show that the SART-anisotropic TV can greatly reduce artifacts and preserve the liver section details.
Automated Diabetic Retinopathy Identification via Lesion Guided Network

In this paper, we propose and validate a novel neural network named Lesion Guided Network (LGN) for automatic diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) from fundus images. RetinaNet is first adopted and trained on a coarsely-annotated dataset for rough lesion detection. Lesion-Aware Module (LAM) in LGN is proposed to highlight regions of interest in fundus images utilizing the coarse lesion maps. Then, the outputs of LAM are fed into a covolutional neural network (CNN) for DR identification. The proposed method is evaluated on a private dataset consisting of 4465 fundus images. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed LGN, achieving comparable performance with ophthalmologists.
A Comparison of Segmentation Methods in Gastric Histopathology Images

Gastric Cancer is one of the five most common types of malignant tumors among men and women worldwide and it is very important to make precise diagnosis for the early stage of gastric cancer. In this paper, we compare eight methods in Gastric Histopathology Image Segmentation (GHIS) including most classical and state-of-the-art ones. For estimating the segmentation result, we use seven evaluation indexes. Our study carries out that deep learning method shows the effectiveness in GHIS and the DenseCRF using the U-Net feature map performs best overall.
Segmentation of Lung Parenchyma Based on FPN++Mask R-CNN Model

In recent years, the number of lung cancer patients has continued to increase. In the process of detecting lung cancer, accurate segmentation of lung parenchyma plays a key role. In this paper, we proposed a method of lung parenchyma segmentation based on FPN++Mask R-CNN neural network model. The model improved original Mask R-CNN networks and optimized the structure of FPN (Feature Pyramid Networks), which is the feature extraction model of Mask R-CNN, by expanding the scale and level of FPN to fuse and extract more picture feature information from different levels. The experimental results show that compared with original Mask R-CNN models, FPN++Mask R-CNN demonstrates better segmentation results.
Effect of damping material thickness on vibration analysis in pretension layer damping process

Vibration reduction is a critical necessity in many fields of engineering, technology, and industry. As a result, there is a need for vibration management. To restrict or adjust the system’s vibration response, a variety of techniques are employed. In recent years, there has been a lot of enthusiasm for the easy implementation of these vibration-control structures. The damping properties of viscoelastic materials tend to be excellent. Damping is determined by the material’s ability to dissipate energy. To minimise the vibration of vibrating surfaces, viscoelastic materials are commonly used. In this study, viscoelastic material (Dyad 606) is applied on the AL plate in the form of free layer damping and pretension layer damping. First aluminium structure using free layer damping and another one using pretension layer damping by applying tension load (two layers of damping plates, one on the top surface of the Al alloy and the other on the lower face). Passive vibration damping of the plate is achieved. These layers are influenced by axial uniform distributed load. The damping behaviour of the AL Plate is discussed in relation to the thickness variation of the pre-tension damping material. The results show that the loss factor and the attenuation percentage of the structure with pretension layer damping are increased as compared to free layer damping. It is also found that the most effective thickness of the damping material to increase the damping capacity of the framework is around half the base plate thickness
Parametric optimization of non-prismatic micro-plates to reduce stiffening and curling initiated during fabrication

Microelectromechanical devices such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, and radiofrequency (RF) switches are widely used in aerospace applications. Reduction of stiffening and curling initiated during fabrication of these devices is one of the challenging issues in MEMS design. Reducing response time is also favorable in some applications such as RF MEMS switches. This paper aims at reducing stiffening, curling, and increasing the natural frequency for three well-known designs of micro-plates with fixed-fixed supports. To achieve these objectives, a parametric size optimization is carried out. For comparison purposes, same volume is set as a constraint for all three designs. Compared to conventional rectangular micro-plate, a reduction of 34% in stiffening in design 2, and 44% in curling in design 3. Design 1 showed the maximum fundamental natural frequency. Thus, it is predicted to have the lowest switching time. Moreover, design 2 showed the maximum critical buckling temperature, extending the operation range of the device. The effect of changing micro-plate material is also studied in this paper.
Tactics Overview for Implementing High-Performance Computing on Embedded Platforms

Future space missions will rely on novel high-performance computing to support advanced intelligent on-board algorithms with substantial workloads that mandates firm real-time and power constraints requirements. Consequently, these advanced algorithms require significantly faster processing beyond the conventional space-grade central processing unit capabilities. Moreover, they require careful selection of the target embedded platform from a diverse set of available architectures along with several implementation tactics to map the algorithms to the target architecture to fully unlock its capabilities. In this paper, we present a study of different architectures and embedded computing platforms for the satellite on-board computers. Moreover, we present a comprehensive overview of recent implementation tactics such as source code mapping and transformations. Additionally, we highlight some optimization techniques such as partitioning and co-designing using hardware accelerators. Finally, we discuss several implementation analysis methodologies to derive optimized code implementations. The top ranked YOLO-v3, as a deep learning based object detection algorithm, is selected as a case study model to be optimized using OpenVINO toolkit. The experimental results show an improvement ratios up to 73%, 41%, and 34% in terms of frames per second, CPU utilization, and cache memory, respectively. The study presented in this paper aims to guide the researchers in the field of high performance embedded computing in terms of different hardware architectures along with several implementation tactics.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

The role of environmentally managerial accounting between environmental performance and economic performance has been investigated in the current project. On the one hand, this project tried to re-examine the causal links among environmentally managerial accounting, environmental performance and economic performance that have been discussed in previous research; on the other hand, it also explored the moderation of environmentally managerial accounting between environmental performance and economic performance that has been overlooked. The data was collected from 298 publicly listed enterprises in Vietnam’s three main stock exchanges. To test the causal linkages, multiple regression analyses were employed; whereas to test the moderating effect, hierarchical regression analyses with the interaction were undertaken. The results indicate positive influences of environmentally managerial accounting on economic performance and environmental performance that in turn puts a positive impact on economic performance. The adoption of environmentally managerial accounting in business is revealed as a moderator between economic performance and environmental performance. The causal link from environmental performance to economic performance becomes tougher when enterprises take more environmentally managerial accounting into consideration in business.
Socio-Cultural Factors That Hinders the Domestication of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) By Farmers in Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon

This study seeks to examine the socio-cultural challenges faced by the people of Manyu in the domestication of some Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and the role of the extension workers in enhancing the domestication. Manyu Division has several NTFPs species which are of great benefits to its people. These benefits are not void of socioeconomic, environmental and cultural challenges. These trees species have been domesticated by some members of the community to ease access, enable shorter gestation period, and enhance their economic values. However, despite the importance attached to these domesticated species, some members of the community are reticent in adopting the new domestication strategies. The study made use of the qualitative approach in collecting data for this study with interviews, direct observation, and focus group discussions as our main data collection methods. Results of the study indicate that cultural stereotypes have hindered the domestication of some NTFPs in Manyu Division. However, the extension workers and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) working in this sector have not relented their efforts in encouraging farmers to domesticate NTFPs in Manyu Division.
Effects of Avitinib on CYP450 Enzyme Activity in vitro and in vivo in Rats

Purpose Avitinib is the first third-generation epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor independently developed in China and is mainly used for treating non-small cell lung cancer. However, pharmacokinetic details are limited. This study explored the in vivo and in vitro effects of avitinib on cytochrome CYP450 enzymes metabolic activity. Methods A rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for determining six probe substrates and their metabolites. Avitinib influence on activity levels of CYP isozymes was examined in vitro using human and rat liver microsomes (HLMs/RLMs). For in vivo studies, rats were pretreated with 30 mg/kg avitinib once daily for 7 days (avitinib multiple-doses group), 30 mg/kg avitinib on day 7 (avitinib single-dose group), or an equivalent amount of CMC-Na once daily for 7 days (control group), followed by intragastrical administration of the probe substrates (1 mg/kg tolbutamide and 10 mg/kg phenacetin, bupropion, chlorzoxazone, dextromethorphan, and midazolam). Plasma pharmacokinetics and IC50 values of the probe substrates were then compared. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using non-compartmental analysis implemented in a pharmacokinetic program. Results In vitro experiments revealed different inhibitory effects of avitinib on the six probe substrates with various IC50 values (bupropion, 6.39/22.64 μM; phenacetin, 15.79/48.36 μM; chlorzoxazone, 23.15/57.09 μM; midazolam, 27.64/59.6 μM; tolbutamide, 42.18/6.91 μM; dextromethorphan, 44.39/56.57 μM, in RLMs and HLMs respectively). In vivo analysis revealed significant differences (P <0.05) in distinct pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC(0-t), AUC (0-∞), Cmax, MRT(0-t), MRT (0-∞), and CLz/F) for the six probe substrates after avitinib pretreatment. Conclusion A sensitive and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method was established to determine the concentration of six probe substrates in rat plasma. Avitinib had inhibitory effects on CYP450 enzymes, especially cyp2b1, cyp1a2 in RLMs, CYP2C9 in HLMs, and cyp1a2, cyp2b1, cyp2d1, and cyp2e1 in vivo. Our data recommend caution when avitinib was taken simultaneously with drugs metabolized by CYP450 enzymes.
Prevalence of Burnout among Catholic Religious Men and Women Working In Rural Areas: A Case of Lodwar Diocese in Turkana County, Kenya

Ministry burnout is a global issue of concern among the Church ministers across the world. Studies have shown that the majority of Church ministers leave ministry prematurely due to burnout which in turn affects their commitment to the Church. The study objective was to examine the demographic differences of age, gender, level of education, country of origin and vocational identity with respect to prevalence of burnout of among Catholic religious men and women working in rural areas. The study adopted descriptive research design and phenomenological design. Using census and convenience sampling, a sample size of 131 participants were included which comprised the whole population of the study. Quantitative data was collected using standardized questionnaires and qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussion Guide. Pretesting of standardized instruments was carried out before the actual data collection to ensure its reliability and validity. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 32 while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Some of the study findings were: respondents’ level of burnout was above average, in terms of subscales, personal accomplishment had the highest (mean=30.61) followed by emotional exhaustion (mean=19.82) and level of depersonalization (mean=9.05).
Effect of material composition on antistripping performance of SBS modified asphalt mixture under dry and wet conditions

Abstract Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt used in road engineering is a complicated mixture of various compositions. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different raw materials and their content on the moisture stability of SBS copolymer modified asphalt mixture. A total of 18 different combinations of base asphalt, SBS, furfural extract oil (FEO), and stabilizer were considered to prepare different SBS modified asphalt samples, and the contact angle test was carried out to determine the work of adhesion and the work of debonding of SBS modified asphalt with aggregate. Moreover, a multi-factor Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted to investigate the statistical effects of the material composition factors. The results show that the bond strength between SBS modified asphalt and aggregate is significantly affected by the source of base asphalt, but it is insensitive to the change of SBS type under dry and wet conditions. Besides, the moisture damage resistance of SBS modified asphalt improves firstly and then reduces with the rising storage of SBS, FEO, and stabilizer. Furthermore, linear regression analysis suggests that the work of adhesion under dry condition has excellent correlation with the work of debonding under wet condition.
Engineered Sumoylation-Deficient Prdx6 Mutant Protein-Loaded Nanoparticles Provide Increased Cellular Defense and Prevent Lens Opacity

Aberrant Sumoylation-mediated protein dysfunction is involved in a variety of oxidative and aging pathologies. We previously reported that Sumoylation-deficient Prdx6K(lysine)122/142R(Arginine) linked to the TAT-transduction domain gained stability and protective efficacy. In the present study, we formulated wild-type TAT-HA-Prdx6WT and Sumoylation-deficient Prdx6-loaded poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) to further enhance stability, protective activities, and sustained delivery. We found that in vitro and subconjuctival delivery of Sumoylation-deficient Prdx6-NPs provided a greater protection of lens epithelial cells (LECs) derived from human and Prdx6−/−-deficient mouse lenses against oxidative stress, and it also delayed the lens opacity in Shumiya cataract rats (SCRs) than TAT-HA-Prdx6WT-NPs. The encapsulation efficiencies of TAT-HA-Prdx6-NPs were ≈56%–62%. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses showed that the NPs were spherical, with a size of 50–250 nm and a negative zeta potential (≈23 mV). TAT-HA-Prdx6 analog-NPs released bioactive TAT-HA-Prdx6 (6%–7%) within 24 h. Sumoylation-deficient TAT-HA-Prdx6-NPs provided 35% more protection by reducing the oxidative load of LECs exposed to H2O2 compared to TAT-HA-Prdx6WT-NPs. A subconjuctival delivery of TAT-HA-Prdx6 analog-NPs demonstrated that released TAT-HA-Prdx6K122/142R could reduce lens opacity by ≈60% in SCRs. Collectively, our results demonstrate for the first time that the subconjuctival delivery of Sumoylation-deficient Prdx6-NPs is efficiently cytoprotective and provide a proof of concept for potential use to delay cataract and oxidative-related pathobiology in general.
Associations between Urinary and Dietary Selenium and Blood Metabolic Parameters in a Healthy Northern Italy Population

Selenium is both an essential nutrient and a highly toxic element, depending on its dose and chemical forms. We aimed to quantify urinary selenium excretion and dietary selenium intake in 137 healthy non-smoking blood donors living in the northern Italian province of Reggio Emilia. We assessed selenium status by determining urinary selenium levels (mean 26.77 µg/L), and by estimating dietary selenium intake (mean 84.09 µg/day) using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood levels of glucose, lipids and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured using automatized laboratory procedures. Dietary and urinary selenium were correlated (beta coefficient (β) = 0.19). Despite this, the association of the two indicators with health endpoints tended to diverge. Using linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, cotinine levels and alcohol intake, we observed a positive association between urinary selenium and blood triglyceride (β = 0.14), LDL-cholesterol (β = 0.07) and glucose levels (β = 0.08), and an inverse one with HDL-cholesterol (β = −0.12). Concerning dietary selenium, a slightly positive association could be found with glycemic levels only (β = 0.02), while a negative one emerged for other endpoints. The two selenium indicators showed conflicting and statistically highly imprecise associations with circulating TSH levels. Our findings suggest that higher selenium exposure is adversely associated with blood glucose levels and lipid profile. This is the case even at selenium exposures not exceeding tolerable upper intake levels according to current guidelines.
Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Simple Summary Human habitual behaviours are strong, long lasting and require less mental energy to perform than other behaviours, and these characteristics present an opportunity for developing pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) that benefit horses and donkeys. The routine nature of equine care lends itself to positive habit formation in people. This study addresses a gap in evidence and understanding of the impact of an intervention designed to develop PAWHBs in equine carers. People caring for horses and donkeys were asked to perform an enrichment behaviour with an equine in the form of scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour. The findings indicated that linking new behaviours to existing routine behaviours can aid the development of pro-animal welfare habits. This also highlighted the role of the equine in triggering the new behaviour to be performed, the potential mutual benefit from engaging in the scratching behaviour for human and equine animal, and the positive emotions resulting from the action, which in turn promotes the repetition of behaviour. The findings mirror the theory of the habit loop: a cue to do a behaviour, the performance of the behaviour in response to the cue, and then the reward for doing the behaviour. Abstract This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.
GLP-1 Analog Liraglutide Improves Vascular Function in Polymicrobial Sepsis by Reduction of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Sepsis causes high mortality in the setting of septic shock. LEADER and other trials revealed cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs like liraglutide (Lira). We previously demonstrated improved survival in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia by inhibition of GLP-1 degradation. Here we investigate the effects of Lira in the polymicrobial sepsis model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with Lira (200 µg/kg/d; 3 days) and sepsis induced by CLP after one day of GLP-1 analog treatment. Survival and body temperature were monitored. Aortic vascular function (isometric tension recording), protein expression (immunohistochemistry and dot blot) and gene expression (qRT-PCR) were determined. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in the aorta was impaired by CLP and correlated with markers of inflammation (e.g., interleukin 6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase) and oxidative stress (e.g., 3-nitrotyrosine) was higher in septic mice, all of which was almost completely normalized by Lira therapy. We demonstrate that the GLP-1 analog Lira ameliorates sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction by the reduction of vascular inflammation and oxidative stress. Accordingly, the findings suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1 analogs may be a valuable tool to protect the cardiovascular system from dysbalanced inflammation in polymicrobial sepsis.