Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiomics Repeatability Pitfalls in a Scan-Rescan MRI Study of Glioblastoma.

Purpose To determine the influence of preprocessing on the repeatability and redundancy of radiomics features extracted using a popular open-source radiomics software package in a scan-rescan glioblastoma MRI study. Materials and Methods In this study, a secondary analysis of T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1-weighted postcontrast images from 48 patients (mean age, 56 years [range, 22-77 years]) diagnosed with glioblastoma were included from two prospective studies (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00662506 [2009-2011] and NCT00756106 [2008-2011]). All patients underwent two baseline scans 2-6 days apart using identical imaging protocols on 3-T MRI systems. No treatment occurred between scan and rescan, and tumors were essentially unchanged visually. Radiomic features were extracted by using PyRadiomics (https://pyradiomics.readthedocs.io/) under varying conditions, including normalization strategies and intensity quantization. Subsequently, intraclass correlation coefficients were determined between feature values of the scan and rescan. Results Shape features showed a higher repeatability than intensity (adjusted P < .001) and texture features (adjusted P < .001) for both T2-weighted FLAIR and T1-weighted postcontrast images. Normalization improved the overlap between the region of interest intensity histograms of scan and rescan (adjusted P < .001 for both T2-weighted FLAIR and T1-weighted postcontrast images), except in scans where brain extraction fails. As such, normalization significantly improves the repeatability of intensity features from T2-weighted FLAIR scans (adjusted P = .003 [z score normalization] and adjusted P = .002 [histogram matching]). The use of a relative intensity binning strategy as opposed to default absolute intensity binning reduces correlation between gray-level co-occurrence matrix features after normalization. Conclusion Both normalization and intensity quantization have an effect on the level of repeatability and redundancy of features, emphasizing the importance of both accurate reporting of methodology in radiomics articles and understanding the limitations of choices made in pipeline design. Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2020See also the commentary by Tiwari and Verma in this issue.
Ecological and evolutionary responses of an arctic plant to variation in microclimate and soil

The arctic and alpine regions are predicted to experience some of the highest rates of climate change, and the arctic vegetation is expected to be especially sensitive to such changes. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary responses of arctic plant species to changes in climate is therefore a key objective. Geothermal areas, where natural temperature gradients occur over small spatial scales, and without many of the confounding environmental factors present in latitudinal and other gradient studies, provide a natural experimental setting in which to examine the response of arctic–alpine plants to increasing temperatures. To test the ecological and evolutionary response of the circumpolar alpine bistort Persicaria vivipara to temperature, we collected plant material and soil from areas with low, intermediate and high soil temperatures and grew them at three different temperatures in a three-factorial growth chamber experiment. At higher experimental soil temperatures, sprouting was earlier and plants had more leaves. Sprouting was earlier in soil originating from intermediate temperature and plants had more leaves when grown in soil originating from low temperatures. We did not find evidence of local adaptation or genetic variation in reaction norms among plants originating from areas with low, intermediate and high soil temperature. Our findings suggest that the alpine bistort has a strong plastic response to warming, but that differences in soil temperature have not resulted in genetic differentiation. The lack of an observed evolutionary response may, for example, be due to the absence of temperature-mediated selection on P. vivipara, the low rate of sexual recombination, or high levels of gene flow balancing differences in selection. When placed within the context of other studies, we conclude that arctic–alpine plant species often show strong plastic responses to spring warming, while evidence of evolutionary responses varies among species.
Performance Evaluation of a Virtual Impactor with an Additional Pretreatment Structure for Particle Separation

ABSTRACT In this paper, a proposed method based on a microfluidic chip that can arrange the collected particles in radial positions according to their sizes before virtual impactor separation was introduced. The main objective of this paper was to design a novel micro-separator structure composed of two major parts: a virtual impactor, and a pretreatment that consists of a sheath flow and a backward-facing step flow configuration. In the separation process, the particles firstly were aggregated on the middle channel by the sheath flow, then ordered in radial position of backward-facing step flow, and finally separated in virtual impactor. To determine the effects of the pretreatment, both simulations and experiments were conducted. A parameter optimization was performed on the micro-separator where the cut-off size of the virtual impactor was 2.5 μm. The results demonstrated that when the flow ratio between inlet flow rate and the total flow rate was set to 50% and the expansion ratio (Er) was 2. The cut-off size of the micro-separator was reduced by 20.77% from 2.436 μm to 1.93 μm, and the wall loss (WL) was acceptable compared with the result only using PM2.5 virtual impactor. The effect of pretreatment on PM1 and PM5 virtual impactor also saw an improvement of collection efficiency even when the additional pretreatment had varying Reynold numbers and nozzle sizes. Accordingly, the stk50 value was reduced by 44.39% from 0.669 to 0.372 by adding pretreatment before the virtual impactor.
Chemical gating of In2O3 nanowires by organic and biomolecules

In2O3 nanowire transistors were used to investigate the chemical gating effect of organic molecules and biomolecules with amino or nitro groups. The nanowire conductance changed dramatically after adsorption of these molecules. Specifically, amino groups in organic molecules such as butylamine, donated electrons to In2O3 nanowires and thus led to enhanced carrier concentrations and conductance, whereas molecules with nitro groups such as butyl nitrite made In2O3 nanowires less conductive by withdrawing electrons. In addition, intrananowire junctions created by partial exposure of the nanowire device to butyl nitrite were investigated, and pronounced rectifying current–voltage characteristics were obtained. Furthermore, chemical gating by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the offending agent in coronary heart diseases, was also observed and attributed to the amino groups carried by the bio species.
A critical assessment of the goal replacement hypothesis for habitual behaviour

In this opinion letter we critical assess a new explanatory hypothesis for habitual behaviour in humans, the goal replacement hypothesis. This hypothesis claims that habits are other forms of goal-directed behaviour, what challenges one core assumption of reward learning models. However, we show in this letter that this hypothesis can only explain part of the literature; recent results using new methods for measuring habits cannot be accounted by the goal replacement hypothesis.
Emotionally Stable, Extraverted, Conscientious, and Unambivalent: Iranian Women Successfully Navigating Divorce Adjustment

The aim of the present study was to explore the extent to which the combination of the Big Five personality traits and adult attachment styles are associated with a broad array of divorce adjustment (DA) indicators. A total of 200 Iranian divorced women took part in the study. Participants completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering socio-demographic, the Big Five, adult attachment styles, and indicators of DA. The results showed that higher levels of the Big Five (with neuroticism reverse-coded) were collectively associated with higher levels of feeling of self-worth (FSW), disentanglement of love relationships (DLR), social self-worth (SSW), rebuilding of social trust (RST), lower levels of symptoms of grief (SOG), and feelings of self-anger (FSA). Higher levels of secure attachment (and lower levels of ambivalent attachment) were associated with higher levels of FSW, DLR, RST, and lower levels of SOG, and FSA. The role of Iranian culture on post-DA is discussed.
Revisiting clay‐sized mineral and elemental records of the silicate weathering history in the northern Tibetan Plateau during the late Cenozoic: The role of aeolian dust

Exceedingly strong aeolian dust activity has occurred in inland Asia. Comparisons of the late Cenozoic sedimentation rates between aeolian and fluvial‐lacustrine sequences around the northern Tibetan Plateau suggest that aeolian process has played an important role in the erosion, weathering and deposition of sediment. However, recognizing dust as an important source in fluvial‐lacustrine sequences is a vital but difficult task. Here, clay‐sized mineral and elemental records of regional silicate weathering histories are revisited during the period of Asian dust expansion at ~9–8 Ma. The aeolian dust input from the Tianshan‐Altay Orogens into the Jiuquan Basin is identified using the Th/Sc ratio while that from the Qilian Shan into the Xining Basin is identified based on inconsistent fine‐grained silicate weathering proxies. Our study suggests that the use of appropriate dust provenance tracers and recognition of wind transport‐induced changes in dust grain size and chemistry can provide useful aeolian dust discrimination approaches.
Análise da qualidade psicométrica da prova de matemática do Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio brasileiro de 2018

The Brazilian National High School Examination (ENEM), created in 1998 to assess the quality of education offered to young brazilians, has consolidated itself as the main access to the universities in Brazil. However, there are few studies aimed at analyzing the quality of the exam and the items that are in it. Thus, this paper aims to analyze the psychometric quality of the mathematics test of ENEM of 2018. It was used a quantitative and exploratory methodology, developed through psychometrics methods applied to 68,438 students that made the exam, enrolled in the last year of the high school. The results pointed to a reliable test (αα > 0.7). As for the items that compose it, four showed adjustment problems concerning to the logistic model of three parameters of the Theory of Response to the item (TRI), adopted by the exam, one showed a significantly lower coefficient of discrimination(aa < 0.5) and five that showed a difficulty coefficient higher than those considered acceptable(bb > 3.0). These results lead us to conclude that a considerable number of the items analyzed (22.7%) showed unsatisfactory psychometric parameters. Bearing in mind that any reported inaccuracies may compromise the validity of the results obtained, it is suggested that the processes that involve the creation, review, testing and calibration of the items must be improved, in order to guarantee the isonomy of the exam.
Optical biosensor for high-throughput detection of veterinary drug residues in foods

A new multi—channel optical biosensor instrument has been constructed for high-throughput screening analysis of drug residues in foods. The sensor uses surface plasmon resonance technology and allows either simultaneous analysis of eight samples for a single analyte or multi analyte analysis. Three muhi analyte assays kits were developed for use on the prototype instrument: clenbuterol (CBL) and ethinyl estradiol (EEO) in urine, sulfamethazine (SMT) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) in bile and SMT, SDZ and enrofloxacin (EFX) in milk. Direct analysis was performed on milk and bile samples while detection of CBL and EEO at low ppb levels required limited sample extraction. The assay/ instrument combinations were tested by end-users in laboratory and on-site environments. Sample throughput of up to 600 samples per day was achieved. Numbers of samples tested ranged from 473 samples for the urine assay to over 7500 for the bile assay. Instrument performance in the laboratory was assessed by comparison with the end-user's standard procedure. Comparison of false positive screening results and confirmed positive samples showed the results achieved by the new technique to be at least comparable with existing screening procedure with the added benefits of increased sample throughput and result generation in "real time". On site analysis showed no evidence of the technique being adversely effected by the harsher environments. The present study has clearly demonstrated that high throughput immunosensor technology can play a leading role in the detection of residues ofveterinary drugs in food.
Evaluation of Workability and Mechanical Properties of Bottom Ash Aggregate Concrete

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the workability and mechanical properties of concrete containing bottom ash, which is an industrial byproduct, as an aggregate. Twelve concrete mixtures, including concrete containing bottom ash aggregate (CCBA), are classified into three groups of W/C 0.45, 0.375, and 0.3 according to the target strength. Each group includes four mixtures in which natural aggregate and bottom ash are applied as fine and coarse aggregates according to particular ratios. On the basis of the test results, a reliable model to predict the 28-day compressive strength of CCBA is proposed by applying regression analysis. The proposed model points out that when applying bottom ash as aggregate, the concrete density is lowered, and W/C should be reduced to offset the lowered compressive strength. As a result of comparing experimental values with the existing design code models, it is found that while the fib model accurately predicts compressive strength development and tensile resistance capacity in general, the ACI 318 code overestimates the elastic modulus at the oven-dried density (ρc) range of 1840 kg/m3 and above. Accurate prediction of the mechanical properties of CCBA requires the measurement of additional experimental data that consider W/C and ρc as important parameters.
Development of a Mathematical Model of an Arc Plasma Discharge in Vacuum, Describing the Joint Solution of the Navier-Stokes Equations, Heat Transfer, with Equations of Plasma Theory

This article is devoted to the description of arc processes in a vacuum, relevant today for the melting of wire materials in the implementation of hybrid technologies of layer-by-layer synthesis. The directions of using an electric arc as a source of heat in creating arc additive technologies are indicated. One of the most promising methods for creating an arc discharge in vacuum using a non-consumable thermoelectronic hollow cathode is presented. A two-dimensional model has been developed for studying a hollow-cathode arc discharge in vacuum, where argon was used as the plasma-forming gas. All calculations were carried out in an axisymmetric formulation. To obtain a numerical solution, the COMSOL Multiphysics application software package was used. The obtained simulation results showed a satisfactory agreement with the literature and experimental data.
How social networks influence young men to seek psychological help

Abstract There is a growing body of literature that recognizes young men’s reluctance to seek psychological help. However, how young men perceive the role of their social networks in their decision to seek help has received limited attention in research. Using thematic analysis, this study investigated 30 young men’s description of how members from three categories of their social networks: partner, family and friends have influenced them to seek psychological help and how they have experienced this influence. The results show that certain themes recur between various members of men's social networks while others were unique to roles in the social network. How this information can be used to make it easier for young men to seek psychological help is discussed.
Improving the Short-Term Forecast of World Trade During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Swift Data on Letters of Credit

An essential element of the work of the Fund is to monitor and forecast international trade. This paper uses SWIFT messages on letters of credit, together with crude oil prices and new export orders of manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), to improve the short-term forecast of international trade. A horse race between linear regressions and machine-learning algorithms for the world and 40 large economies shows that forecasts based on linear regressions often outperform those based on machine-learning algorithms, confirming the linear relationship between trade and its financing through letters of credit.
Rouse and reptation dynamics at finite temperatures: a Monte Carlo simulation

The temperature dependence of the dynamics of polymer chains in the melt is studied in a Monte Carlo simulation of the bond fluctuation model. Temperature enters via a bond angle potential determining the stiffness of the chains. The model is simulated at a melt volume fraction of Φ=0.5 and for chains of lengths N=20, 50, 100, and 200. For the short chains we are determining the temperature range over which a random coil description of these semiflexible chains is possible, i.e. the temperature region for which the chains show the behavior of random coils in the melt
Incorporating Handcrafted Features into Deep Learning for Point Cloud Classification

Point cloud classification is an important task in point cloud data analysis. Traditional point cloud classification is conducted primarily on the basis of specific handcrafted features with a specific classifier and is often capable of producing satisfactory results. However, the extraction of crucial handcrafted features hinges on sufficient knowledge of the field and substantial experience. In contrast, while powerful deep learning algorithms possess the ability to learn features automatically, it normally requires complex network architecture and a considerable amount of calculation time to attain better accuracy of classification. In order to combine the advantages of both the methods, in this study, we integrated the handcrafted features, whose benefits were confirmed by previous studies, into a deep learning network, in the hopes of solving the problem of insufficient extraction of specific features and enabling the network to recognise other effective features through automatic learning. This was done to achieve the performance of a complex model by using a simple model and fulfil the application requirements of the remote sensing domain. As indicated by the experimental results, the integration of handcrafted features into the simple and fast-calculating PointNet model could generate a classification result that bore comparison with that generated by a complex network model such as PointNet++ or KPConv.
Complete Genome Sequencing of Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 Isolated from a Patagonian Pinot Noir Wine

Lactobacillus plantarum UNQLp 11 strain was isolated from a Patagonian Pinot noir wine at the oldest commercial winery (110 years old) in General Roca, North Patagonia, Argentina, and has demonstrated its ability to survive during winemaking processes and successfully carry out malolactic fermentation. This work aimed to obtain the whole assembled genome of the UNQLp 11 strain, analysing its architecture and the possible functions of the predicted genes from the oenological properties of this strain. The genome size is 3 534 932 bp, with a mean GC content of 44.2%, 3 412 CDS, 80 transposons and 148 tandem repeats. A comparison between the genome size and gene content of 14 Lb. plantarum strains from different origins was performed, and UNQLp 11 exhibited the largest size. The in silico genome-wide analysis allowed us to confirm the existence of genes encoding enzymes involved in the synthesis of several metabolites of oenological interest, in addition to bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides. Furthermore, it is possible to speculate on this strain’s adaptation to different environments, as it is able to use diverse substrates for its growth. All these features suggest the potential of UNQLp 11 to be a good starter culture for malolactic fermentation.
Portugal’s Rising Research in Architecture and Urbanism: The Influence of International Research Centers and Authors

In the early 1960s, Portugal saw a rise in scientific research on architecture and urbanism at the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil; LNEC), fundamental to support the Government in establishing a national program for housing, which continued until the fall of the Dictatorship in 1974. Lacking tradition in scientific studies in architecture and urbanism, a group of young architects with knowledge of references from international researchers and research centers gathered encouragement and opportunities to develop their own research works and methodologies and, later, to question the application of such scientific methods. This article aims to identify and discuss the strategies and methodologies explored to develop these seminal researches, retrieving and reappraising LNEC’s archived documents and oral testimonials from former researchers. We aim at exposing the foundations of Portuguese scientific research on architecture and urbanism and its contributions to an international audience.
Cybersecurity in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

ABSTRACT For the investigation, the security factor is crucial as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) become prevalent, and their operational range grows exponentially. This research is a comprehensive literature review investigating which cyber-attacks are most frequent and what consequences they cause in civilian UAV attacks. The cyber threats described in this study are categorized using the STRIDE attack paradigm, the challenge they pose, and the appropriate equipment for the attack. The most common forms of UAV cyberattack and the most effective result are spoofing and denial of service attacks. No difficult-to-reach device is needed for any attack style, meaning that the security state currently requires enhancements to civilian use of UAVs in most cases.