Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An automatic traffic cones dispenser and collector system

This project report is about to develop an automatic system for dispense and collect the traffic cones by using manipulator which is robot arm. The development of the robot arm which is five degree of freedom is the most important part in this project in order to make this system become an automatic system. A microcontroller PIC18F46K22 is used as the brain part of the robot arm and C programming had been used to programme the microcontroller. For the five joint parts of the robot arm, three different types of motor had been used which are cube servo, dc motor and servo motor to represent five degree of freedom of the robot arm. The sensor that had been used in this project is potentiometer which is used for measurement to measure the position needs for this robot arm. The size of traffic cones used is reduced to the smaller size which is compatible with the size of the robot arm in this project.
Using community cohesion to sustain online professional development

This research explores how community cohesion can sustain teacher participation in a mixed mode (face to face and online) PD course. Secondary school teachers in Queensland and England undertook a mixed mode PD course utilising Education Queensland's Learning Place. The results indicate significantly longer participation than required and when combined with interview data supports the proposed community cohesion model as a useful construct in re-considering traditionally ineffective PD design.
Teachers' discourse in kindergarten: An analysis of teachers' utterances in science lessons

This paper st udies the organization of teachers’ utterances taking into account whether they belong to academic or social discourse, and the pragmatic function that teachers’ utterances play within each dis- course modality. The data consist of four class hours of video-recorded material obtained during obser-vations of teaching situations in two five-year-old kindergarten groups. One kindergarten belongs to a rural school and the other one, to an urban school. We used qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The results showed that both teachers generated similar discursive contexts in Science lessons. Teachers used more utterances during the development of academic discourse than during social discourse. Within social discourse, the teachers used most of their utterances to issue directives. Within academic discourse, they used most utterances to request information from kindergartners. In this case, the rural teacher and the urban teacher produced similar percentages of utterances for commenting on and evaluating chil- dren's responses. Results suggest that it is important to continue studying the pedagogical implications of teaching practices in Science lessons as well as detecting teachers’ training opportunities in classroom dialogue and practices that promote the development of scientific thinking in kindergarteners.
Integrating SIFT Features with Multivariate Gaussian Distribution to Enhance CBIR Performance

CBIR gained substantial importance in the recent fifteen years. Variety of modern systems have designed to effectively retrieve images from database and recognition of the objects in computer vision. Among all methods, Histogram of Gaussian (HOG) and Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) are standard procedures for attaining the features of the image. The image features achieved by SIFT are helpful in several applications, but these features prone to zero-order statistics as they derived from histogram quantities. This results in; there lacks the natural mechanism of high descriptiveness of image features. A novel method is developed based on Multivariate Gaussian distribution which establishes the relation among SIFT features in the neighbourhood. The exciting part of this approach lies in representing the non-linear Gaussian space into linear space as the Gaussian space is in Riemannian manifold. The Gaussian space can be mapped into linear Euclidean space using Lie group theory. The tests were conducted systematically on Caltech-101 and ZANG image databases to endorse this approach. The experiments demonstrated that a significant amount of the CBIR system performance has improvised with the proposed approach.
Entrepreneurial Family Firms

Chapter 1: Entrepreneurial family firms: Poached or Scrambled Eggs? PART A: ENTREPRENEURIAL FAMILY FIRMS: CYCLING THROUGH THE (ST)AGES OF LIFE Chapter 2: Individual life cycle (st)ages Chapter 3: Family life cycle stages Chapter 4: Business life cycle stages Chapter 5: Product, Industry, Economic life cycle stages Chapter 6: Resources for starting and managing the family firm PART B: ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH THE STAGES Chapter 7: Starting the venture: Over-extended, under capitalized Chapter 8: Growing, for better or worse Chapter 9: The maturing family venture Chapter 10: Decline - Degeneration or Regeneration? PART C: ENTREPRENEURIAL FAMILY FIRMS: SUCCESS THROUGH LIFE STAGES Chapter 11: Governance tool kit for Entrepreneurial Family Firms Chapter 12: Secret Recipes of Entrepreneurial Family Firms
Neurobiology of Subtypes of Trichotillomania and Skin Picking Disorder

Abstract Background Trichotillomania (TTM) and skin picking disorder (SPD) are common and often debilitating mental health conditions, grouped under the umbrella term of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Recent clinical subtyping found that there were three distinct subtypes of TTM and two of SPD. Whether these clinical subtypes map on to any unique neurobiological underpinnings, however, remains unknown. Methods Two hundred and fifty one adults [193 with a BFRB (85.5% [n = 165] female) and 58 healthy controls (77.6% [n = 45] female)] were recruited from the community for a multicenter between-group comparison using structural neuroimaging. Differences in whole brain structure were compared across the subtypes of BFRBs, controlling for age, sex, scanning site, and intracranial volume. Results When the subtypes of TTM were compared, low awareness hair pullers demonstrated increased cortical volume in the lateral occipital lobe relative to controls and sensory sensitive pullers. In addition, impulsive/perfectionist hair pullers showed relative decreased volume near the lingual gyrus of the inferior occipital–parietal lobe compared with controls. Conclusions These data indicate that the anatomical substrates of particular forms of BFRBs are dissociable, which may have implications for understanding clinical presentations and treatment response.
Recent progress in the development of chiral stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography.

Separations and analyses of chiral compounds are important in many fields, including pharmaceutical production, preparation of chemical intermediates and biochemistry. High performance liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase is regarded as one of the most valuable methods for enantiomeric separation and analysis because it is highly efficient, is broadly applicable and has powerful separation capability. The focus for development of this method is identification of novel chiral stationary phases with superior recognition performance and good stability. The present article reviews recent progress in the development of new chiral stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography between January 2018 and June 2021. These newly reported chiral stationary phases are divided into three categories: small organic molecule-based (cyclodextrin and its derivatives, macrocyclic antibiotics, cinchona alkaloids and other low molecular weight chiral molecules), macromolecule-based (cellulose and amylose derivatives, chitin and chitosan derivatives and synthetic helical polymers) and chiral porous material-based (chiral metal-organic frameworks, chiral covalent organic frameworks and chiral inorganic mesoporous silicas). Each type of chiral stationary phases is discussed in detail. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Liposomes co-loaded with ursolic acid and ginsenoside Rg3 in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Liposomes co-loaded with ursolic acid and ginsenoside Rg3 (UA+Rg3-LIP) were prepared to study their effects on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHODS Liposomes were prepared by reverse evaporation, and then UA+Rg3-LIP were prepared by the pH gradient method, and followed by liposome characterization. Next, the effects of UA+Rg3-LIP on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of HepG2 cells were investigated by MTT method and flow cytometry at the cell level. RESULTS The entrapment efficiency of UA in UA+Rg3-LIP was 78.52% and that of Rg3 was 71.68%, as assayed by low-temperature ultracentrifugation. The in vitro release rates of UA+Rg3-LIP and UA+Rg3 detected by the dialysis membrane method were 1-10 h. The release rate of UA+Rg3 was close to 100%; that of UA+Rg3-LIP was decreased after 10 h and approached 100% after 24 h. It was further confirmed by cell experiments that UA+Rg3-LIP could significantly reduce cells viability while at the same time increase their apoptosis rate and raise the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSION Liposomes co-loaded with ursolic acid and ginsenoside Rg3 could affect cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle, thus slowing down the in vitro drug release ability of HCC.
CK1α protects WAVE from degradation to regulate cell shape and motility in the immune response

ABSTRACT The WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) is the main activator of the Arp2/3 complex, promoting lamellipodial protrusions in migrating cells. The WRC is basally inactive but can be activated by Rac1 and phospholipids, and through phosphorylation. However, the in vivo relevance of the phosphorylation of WAVE proteins remains largely unknown. Here, we identified casein kinase I alpha (CK1α) as a regulator of WAVE, thereby controlling cell shape and cell motility in Drosophila macrophages. CK1α binds and phosphorylates WAVE in vitro. Phosphorylation of WAVE by CK1α appears not to be required for activation but, rather, regulates its stability. Pharmacologic inhibition of CK1α promotes ubiquitin-dependent degradation of WAVE. Consistently, loss of Ck1α but not ck2 function phenocopies the depletion of WAVE. Phosphorylation-deficient mutations in the CK1α consensus sequences within the VCA domain of WAVE can neither rescue mutant lethality nor lamellipodium defects. By contrast, phosphomimetic mutations rescue all cellular and developmental defects. Finally, RNAi-mediated suppression of 26S proteasome or E3 ligase complexes substantially rescues lamellipodia defects in CK1α-depleted macrophages. Therefore, we conclude that basal phosphorylation of WAVE by CK1α protects it from premature ubiquitin-dependent degradation, thus promoting WAVE function in vivo. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Associations of Stay-at-Home Order Enforcement With COVID-19 Population Outcomes: An Interstate Statistical Analysis

Abstract In the United States, state governors initially enacted coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19)-mitigation policies with limited epidemiologic data. One prevailing legislative approach, from March to May 2020, was the implementation of “stay-at-home” (SAH) executive orders. Although social distancing was encouraged, SAH orders varied between states, and the associations between potential legal prosecution and COVID-19 outcomes are currently unknown. Here, we provide empirical evidence on how executive enforcement of movement restrictions may influence population health during an infectious disease outbreak. A generalized linear model with negative binomial regression family compared COVID-19 outcomes in states with law-enforceable stay-at-home (eSAH) orders versus those with unenforceable or no SAH orders (uSAH), controlling for demographic factors, socioeconomic influences, health comorbidities, and social distancing. COVID-19 incidence was less by 1.22 cases per day per capita in eSAH states compared with uSAH states (coefficient = −1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.83, −0.61; P < 0.001), and each subsequent day without an eSAH order was associated with a 0.03 incidence increase (coefficient = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.04; P < 0.001). Daily mortality was 1.96 less for eSAH states per capita (coefficient = −1.96, 95% CI: −3.25, −0.68; P = 0.004). Our findings suggest allowing the enforcement of public health violations, compared with community education alone, is predictive of improved COVID-19 outcomes.
Less-Affected Hand Function Is Associated With Independence in Daily Living: A Longitudinal Study Poststroke

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background and Purpose: The upper extremity (UE) ipsilateral to the brain lesion is mildly affected poststroke. It is unclear whether patients perceive this, and the association between less-affected hand function and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) is unknown. We aimed to (1) assess longitudinal changes in function, dexterity, grip strength, and self-perception of the less-affected UE, (2) compare them to the normative data, and (3) determine the association of both UEs to ADL during the first 6 months poststroke. Methods: Consecutive adults following a first stroke were assessed on rehabilitation admission (T1), 6 weeks (T2), and 6 months (T3) poststroke onset. Box and block test assessed function of both UEs. The functional dexterity test (FDT) and Jamar Dynamometer assessed dexterity and grip strength of the less-affected UE. The functional independence measure assessed ADL, and instrumental ADL was assessed at T3. Spearman correlations and multiple regression models were used. Results: Participants were assessed at T1 (N=87), T2 (N=82), and T3 (N=68). At T1, less-affected UE deficits were apparent (median [interquartile range] box and block test-45 [35–53] blocks, FDT-44.5 [33.3–60.8] seconds, grip-25.5 [16.2–33.9] kilograms), but only 19.5% of the participants self-perceived this. Less-affected hand function significantly improved with 32% and 33% achieving a minimal clinically important difference for box and block test at T2 and T3, respectively. Dexterity improved significantly between T1 and T2 (P<0.001, no established minimal clinically important difference) and grip strength improved significantly between T2 and T3; 3.4% achieving a minimal clinically important difference (P<0.01). At T3, most participants did not reach the norms (box and block test-67.4 blocks, FDT-32.2 seconds, grip-40.5 kilograms). Both the less- and more-affected UEs explained a large portion of the variance of ADL at all time-points, after controlling for age, days-since-stroke-onset, stroke type, and cognition. Conclusions: Despite some improvement, the less-affected UE at 6 months poststroke remained below norms, explaining difficulties in ADL and instrumental ADL. Further research is needed.
Gadolinium enhancement of cranial nerves: Implications for interstitial fluid drainage from brainstem into cranial nerves in humans

Drainage of interstitial fluid and solutes from the brainstem has not been well studied. To map one drainage pathway in the human brainstem, we took advantage of the focal blood–brain barrier disruption occurring in a multiple sclerosis brainstem lesion, coupled with intravenous injection of gadolinium, which simulates an intraparenchymal injection of gadolinium tracer within the restricted confines of this small brain region. Using high-resolution MRI, we show how it is possible for interstitial fluid to drain into the adjacent trigeminal and oculomotor nerves, in keeping with a pathway of communication between the extracellular spaces of the brainstem and cranial nerve parenchyma.
Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in broiler chickens, farmworkers, and farm sewage in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an emerging threat worldwide, and developing countries such as Bangladesh are considered to be at greater risk of disseminating the resistant bacteria between human–animal interfaces. Objectives The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence and AMR profile of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens, the environment, and farmworkers. This study also aimed to identify the risk factors associated with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) E. coli infection in broiler chickens. In addition, the presence of carbapenem resistance gene (NDM‐1) was assessed. Methods A total of 114 E. coli isolates, recovered from 150 samples (cloacal swabs = 50, farm sewage = 50, and hand washed water of farmworkers = 50) collected from 50 broiler farms, were identified by biochemical examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for 10 antibiotics by disk diffusion test. Carbapenem resistance gene (NDM‐1) was detected by PCR. Risk factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression. Results The highest prevalence of E. coli was recorded in broiler chickens (86%) and the lowest in farmworkers (66%). For MDR E. coli infection, ‘winter season’, ‘absence of specific shoes for staff’, and ‘use of antibiotics without veterinarian's prescription’ were the significant risk factors. High resistance of the E. coli isolates was observed against levofloxacin (81.6%), doxycycline (78.1%), cefotaxime (78.1%), and ciprofloxacin (70.2%). About 76% of the isolates demonstrated MDR. None of the isolates were positive for the NDM‐1 gene. Conclusions The high level and similar pattern of antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates from broiler chickens, farmworkers, and sewage in poultry farms indicates a good possibility of spreading the antibiotic‐resistant E. coli in such settings.
SOSIP Trimer-Specific Antibodies Isolated from a Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Monkey with versus without a Pre-blocking Step with gp41

Recent advancements in the field have focused on the isolation and use of broadly neutralizing antibodies for both prophylaxis and therapy. Finding a useful probe to isolate broad potent neutralizing antibodies while avoiding non-neutralizing antibodies is important. ABSTRACT BG505 SOSIP.664 (hereafter referred to as SOSIP), a stabilized trimeric mimic of the HIV-1 envelope spike resembling the native viral spike, is a useful tool for isolating anti-HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. We screened long-term SHIV-AD8 infected rhesus monkeys for potency and breadth of serum neutralizing activity against autologous and heterologous viruses: SHIV-AD8, HIV-1 YU2, HIV-1 JR-CSF, and HIV-1 NL4-3. Monkey rh2436 neutralized all viruses tested and showed strong reactivity to the SOSIP trimer, suggesting this was a promising candidate for attempts at monoclonal antibody (MAb) isolation. MAbs were isolated by performing single B-cell sorts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by FACS using the SOSIP trimer as a probe. An initial round of sorted cells revealed the majority of isolated MAbs were directed to the gp41 external domain portion of the SOSIP trimer and were mostly non-neutralizing against tested isolates. A second sort was performed, introducing a gp41 blocking step prior to PBMC staining and FACS sorting. These isolated MAbs bound SOSIP trimer but were no longer directed to the gp41 external domain portion. A significantly higher proportion of MAbs with neutralizing activity were obtained with this strategy. Our data show this pre-blocking step with gp41 greatly increases the yield of non-gp41-reactive, SOSIP-specific MAbs and increases the likelihood of isolating MAbs with neutralizing activity. IMPORTANCE Recent advancements in the field have focused on the isolation and use of broadly neutralizing antibodies for both prophylaxis and therapy. Finding a useful probe to isolate broad potent neutralizing antibodies while avoiding non-neutralizing antibodies is important. The SOSIP trimer has been shown to be a great tool for this purpose because it binds known broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, the SOSIP trimer can isolate non-neutralizing antibodies as well, including gp41-specific MAbs. Introducing a pre-blocking step with gp41 recombinant protein decreased the percent of gp41-specific antibodies isolated with SOSIP probe, as well as increased the number of neutralizing antibodies isolated. This method can be used as a tool to increase the chances of isolating neutralizing antibodies.
A novel Joint-Net model for recognizing small-bowel polyp images

Abstract Introduction To automatically recognize polyps of enteroscopy images and avoid pathological change, a novel Joint-Net has been proposed. Material and methods The left half of the Joint-Net is constructed by transfer learning VGG16 and its right half is deepened based on the U-Net. In the previous two skip connections, a 3 × 3 convolution layer is added and the original two convolutions are replaced by the identity blocks. To connect the left and the right half part, the asymmetric convolution layer is used. In the output, the loophole-like structure is used. Results The enteroscopy images were obtained in Changhai Hospital of Shanghai. The mean values of Dice and intersection over union were 90.05% and 82.71%. The classification accuracy of normal images and polyp images was 93.50%. Conclusions The experiments show that the Joint-Net can segment and recognize the polyps successfully.
Assessing the accuracy of artificial intelligence enabled acoustic analytic technology on breath sounds in children

Abstract Interpretation of breath sounds by auscultation has high inter-observer variability, even when performed by trained healthcare professionals. This can be mitigated by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) acoustic analysis. We aimed to develop and validate a novel breath sounds analysis system using AI‐enabled algorithms to accurately interpret breath sounds in children. Subjects from the respiratory clinics and wards were auscultated by two independent respiratory paediatricians blinded to their clinical diagnosis. A novel device consisting of a stethoscope head connected to a smart phone recorded the breath sounds. The audio files were categorised into single label (normal, wheeze and crackles) or multi-label sounds. Together with commercially available breath sounds, an AI classifier was trained using machine learning. Unique features were identified to distinguish the breath sounds. Single label breath sound samples were used to validate the finalised Support Vector Machine classifier. Breath sound samples (73 single label, 20 multi-label) were collected from 93 children (mean age [SD] = 5.40 [4.07] years). Inter-rater concordance was observed in 81 (87.1%) samples. Performance of the classifier on the 73 single label breath sounds demonstrated 91% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The AI classifier developed could identify normal breath sounds, crackles and wheeze in children with high accuracy.