Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanding the Limits of Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis through the Development of Open Software

Computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems can reduce errors occurring in manual analysis. However, commercial CASA systems are frequently not applicable at the forefront of challenging research endeavors. The development of open source software may offer important solutions for researchers working in related areas. Here, we present an example of this, with the development of three new modules for the OpenCASA software (hosted at Github). The first is the Chemotactic Sperm Accumulation Module, a powerful tool for studying sperm chemotactic behavior, analyzing the sperm accumulation in the direct vicinity of the stimuli. This module was validated by comparing fish sperm accumulation, with or without the influence of an attractant. The analysis clearly indicated cell accumulation in the treatment group, while the distribution of sperm was random in the control group. The second is the Sperm Functionality Module, based on the ability to recognize five sperm subpopulations according to their fluorescence patterns associated with the plasma membrane and acrosomal status. The last module is the Sperm Concentration Module, which expands the utilities of OpenCASA. These last two modules were validated, using bull sperm, by comparing them with visual counting by an observer. A high level of correlation was achieved in almost all the data, and a good agreement between both methods was obtained. With these newly developed modules, OpenCASA is consolidated as a powerful free and open-source tool that allows different aspects of sperm quality to be evaluated, with many potential applications for researchers.
Guide to the Reader I : What is Presented in the Tables and Maps ?

Birth Prevalence per 10,000: birth prevalence rates per 10,000 births calculated as (live + still born cases) / births with 95% Confidence Interval. We adopt the standard convention of expressing this as “prevalence” rather than “incidence” (Hook, 1982). We present the confidence interval only if a test of heterogeneity calculated within the registry on yearly data was not statistically significant. If significant, the values reported (as bold character) represent the birth prevalence ranges (minimum and maximum values of the period). This is because, if the values are heterogeneous, the confidence interval around the point estimate may be misleading.
Accuracy of Trained Physicians is Inferior to Deep Learning-Based Algorithm for Determining Angles in Ultrasound of the Newborn Hip

Abstract Purpose Sonographic diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip allows treatment with a flexion-abduction orthosis preventing hip luxation. Accurate determination of alpha and beta angles according to Graf is crucial for correct diagnosis. It is unclear if algorithms could predict the angles. We aimed to compare the accuracy for users and automation reporting root mean squared errors (RMSE). Materials and Methods We used 303 306 ultrasound images of newborn hips collected between 2009 and 2016 in screening consultations. Trained physicians labelled every second image with alpha and beta angles during the consultations. A random subset of images was labeled with time and precision under lab conditions as ground truth. Automation predicted the two angles using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The analysis was focused on the alpha angle. Results Three methods were implemented, each with a different abstraction of the problem: (1) CNNs that directly learn the angles without any post-processing steps; (2) CNNs that return the relevant landmarks in the image to identify the angles; (3) CNNs that return the base line, bony roof line, and the cartilage roof line which are necessary to calculate the angles. The RMSE between physicians and ground truth were found to be 7.1° for alpha. The best CNN architecture was (2) landmark detection. The RMSE between landmark detection and ground truth was 3.9° for alpha. Conclusion The accuracy of physicians in their daily routine is inferior to deep learning-based algorithms for determining angles in ultrasound of the newborn hip. Similar methods could be used to support physicians.
The Use of Limited CBCT in the Early Diagnosis of Root Vertical Fracture: A Case Report

The diagnosis of vertical root fractures is often very difficult; according to many Authors, a proper diagnosis is only possible after flap elevation and after detecting the fracture rim. In the case here described, the fracture rim was not detected in the first endodontic surgery nor after the second one, although they were both performed under the operative microscope and using methyl blue staining. The root crack has been detected only after the extraction of the tooth performing a microCT exam and then drying the sample. The limited CBCT performed after the failure of the endodontic surgery had shown the buccal bone loss, which is one of the signs of VRF. In this case, this sign was the only one, which could suggest us the proper diagnosis.
How do starspots influence the transit timing variations of exoplanets? Simulations of individual and consecutive transits

Transit timing variations (TTVs) of exoplanets are normally interpreted as the consequence of gravitational interaction with additional bodies in the system. However, TTVs can also be caused by deformations of the system transits by starspots, which might thus pose a serious complication in their interpretation. We therefore simulate transit light curves deformed by spot-crossing events for different properties of the stellar surface and the planet, such as starspot position, limb darkening, planetary period, and impact parameter. Mid-transit times determined from these simulations can be significantly shifted with respect to the input values; these shifts cannot be larger than ~1% of the transit duration and depend most strongly on the longitudinal position of the spot during the transit and the transit duration. Consequently, TTVs with amplitudes larger than the above limit are very unlikely to be caused by starspots. We also investigate whether TTVs from sequences of consecutive transits with spot-crossing anomalies can be misinterpreted as the result of an additional body in the system. We use the Generalized Lomb-Scargle periodogram to search for periods in TTVs and conclude that low amplitude TTVs with statistically significant periods around active stars are the most problematic cases. In those cases where the photometric precision is high enough to inspect the transit shapes for deformations, it should be possible to identify TTVs caused by starspots, however, especially for cases with low transit signal to noise light curves (TSNR $\lesssim$ 15) it becomes quite difficult to reliably decide whether these periods come from starspots, physical companions in the system or if they are random noise artifacts.
Design, optimization, and in-vivo hypoglycaemic effect of nanosized glibenclamide for inhalation delivery

Abstract The aim of this research was the development and optimization of nanoniosomes for delivery of glibenclamide (Gbn) as hypoglycaemic agent to the lung in an inhaler dosage form. Fifteen formulae of niosomal dispersions were prepared according to Box–Behnken design. The effect of drug amount, Cholesterol molar ratio, and Hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) values of the surfactant on the mean vesicle size, Zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency, and in-vitro released of Gbn were investigated. A quality control check was performed on an inhaler filled with the optimum nanoniosomal formula. The in-vivo hypoglycaemic effect of nanoniosomal inhalation was also evaluated. The vesicle size observed of the optimized formula was 172 ± 4.6 nm, PDI was 0.304 ± 0.06 and ZP was −49.9 ± 1.5 mv with 69 ± 9.3% in-vitro drug release after 2 h. The Cholesterol molar ratio and the HLB value showed a statistically significant effect on dependent variables. In-vivo results proved that nanoniosomes were efficiently delivered from the inhalation canister showing a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1.4 micron. The inhaled nanoniosomal dispersion loaded with Gbn showed a decrease in blood glucose level of hyperglycaemic rats by 51.42 ± 5.2%± after 180 min which was nearly two folds compared to oral Gbn. Gibenclamide nanoniosomes inhaler could be suggested as a novel effective dosage form for the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.
Importance of MicroRNAs in Hepatitis B and C Diagnostics and Treatment

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small‐sized RNAs with ability to regulate gene expression and have been recently discovered as promising diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the field of clinical medicine and microbiology, specifically in viral diseases. Infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) often lead to chronic infections and development of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Challenges in early diag ‐ nosis of HCC and rapid development of novel HCV antivirals call for identification of novel miRNA biomarkers. An extensive selection of single miRNAs and miRNA pan ‐ els has been provided by accumulating studies, discovering miRNA potentials in HBV and HCV diagnostics and treatment. Currently, the diagnostic potential of miRNAs in HBV and HCV has not been established yet. However, a promising HCV treatment drug Miravirsen, a locked nucleic acid, complementary to miRNA‐122, has entered a human clinical trial recently. In this review, we outline the role of miRNAs in HBV and HCV pathogenesis and differences in up‐ and downregulation of miRNAs upon HBV and HCV infection and HCC development.
Time for a Change:Examining Temporality in Shape-Changing Interfaces

The development of dynamic, shape-changing interfaces as a method of human-computer interaction is receiving increasing attention in both research and manufacturing. The present focus is mainly on hardware development, rather than potential applications. To advance this area, considering temporality in shape-changing displays and interfaces is vital in understanding how to design applications for (and with) such devices. Prototypes within the field range from those which actuate changes at high speed, to the deliberately slow, with a complex range of temporal movement in between. Current research highlights the importance of temporal form in interaction design, and expressive movement, but this is yet to be applied in detail to shape-change. This paper examines the current state of play for temporality in shape-changing interfaces, examines the role of time and design in existing prototypes, and proposes an adaptive methodology for design utilising time, space and shape based on previous research.
Dielectric and Ferroelectric Studies on High Dense Pb ( Zr 0 . 52 Ti 0 . 48 ) O 3 Nanocrystalline Ceramics by High Energy Ball Milling and Spark Plasma Sintering

In our previous work, we synthesized Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) ceramics by conventional and microwave sintering methods and studied their structural and electrical properties. We observed that the microwave sintered PZT ceramics show higher densification, fine and uniform grain size, higher dielectric constant, remnant polarization (Pr), and spontaneous polarization (Ps) in comparison to conventional sintered ones. In the present work, we studied the microstructure, phase formation, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of the PZT ceramics synthesized by using Spark plasma Sintering (SPS) method. The SPS sintering temperature is lower (300 to 400 ◦C) than both conventional and microwave sintering methods. The dielectric constant at room temperature and at transition temperature shows higher values compared to the microwave and conventional sintering methods. This SPS sintering technique is currently attracting growing attention among productions engineers and materials researchers.
Scaling properties of fractional momentum loss of high- pT hadrons in nucleus-nucleus collisions at √sNN from 62.4 GeV to 2.76 TeV

Measurements of the fractional momentum loss (Sloss ≡ δpT /pT ) of high-transverse-momentum-identified hadrons in heavy-ion collisions are presented. Using π0 in Au + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at √sNN = 62.4 and 200 GeV measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and and charged hadrons in Pb + Pb collisions measured by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, we studied the scaling properties of Sloss as a function of a number of variables: the number of participants, Npart, the number of quark participants, Nqp, the charged-particle density, dNch/dη, and the Bjorken energy density times the equilibration time, eBjτ0. We find that the pT , where Sloss has its maximum, varies both with centrality and collision energy. Above the maximum, Sloss tends to follow a power-law function with all four scaling variables. The data at √sNN = 200 GeV and 2.76 TeV, for sufficiently high particle densities, have a common scaling of Sloss with dNch/dη and eBjτ0, lending insight into the physics of parton energy loss.
DESIGN OF A WIDE SPECTRAL RANGE AND HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROGRAPH FOR MONITORING THE NIGHT SKY BACKGROUND FOR USE IN AIR FLUORESCENCE TELESCOPES

In this work we present the design of a compact, high-resolution echelle spectrograph for monitoring the Night Sky Background. This spectrograph is combined with a 25.4 cm telescope and uses an appropriate CCD camera as detector. It can operate in a wide spectral range from Ultraviolet to near Infrared (i.e. 300-780 nm) corresponding to the sensitivity spectral window of photocathodes used in the fluorescence telescopes. In the design we also made effort to compromise a sufficient sensitivity and a reasonable exposure time. This instrumentation could become a versatile tool for the operation and development of fluorescence telescopes used in Ultra High Energy Cosmic Ray Experiments.
Cloning, expression and characterization of an extracellular enolase from Leuconostocmesenteroides

Enolase on the surface of streptococci putatively facilitates pathogenic invasion of the host organisms. The related Leuconostoc mesenteroides 512FMCM is nonpathogenic, but it too has an extracellular enolase. Puriﬁed isolates of extracellular dextransucrase from cultures of L. mesenteroides contain minute amounts of enolase, which separate as small crystals. Expression of L. mesenteroides enolase in Escherichia coli provides a protein (calculated subunit mass of 47546Da) catalyzing the conversion of 2-phsopho- D -glycerate to phosphoenolpyruvate. The pH optimum is 6.8, with K m and k cat values of 2.61 mM and 27.5s (cid:1) 1 , respectively. At phosphate concentrations of 1mM and below, fluoride is a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to 2-phospho- D -glycerate, but in the presence of 20mM phosphate, fluoride becomes a competitive inhibitor. Recombinant enolase sig-nificantly inhibits the activity of purified dextransucrase, and does not bind human plasminogen. Results here suggest that in some organisms enolase may participate in protein interactions that have no direct relevance to pathogenic invasion.
Supply Response of Horticultural Crops: The Case of Apple and Pear in Jammu & Kashmir

The apple and pear have a significant place in the horticulture sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The planted areas have been expanding quiet significantly since 1990s. Advanced technologies for these crops have been rationalized and adopted by the growers; however, seasonal and annual variations of the fruit supplies continue to characterize prices at both wholesale and consumption levels. In this study, Nerlovian model has been used to estimate supply response, Engle- Granger test and Vector Error Correction Model have been used to estimate the long-run and short-run dynamics. The study has revealed that the price of apple has more variation compared to price of pear. The existence of correlation between the prices of apple and pear suggests that there exist both long-run and short-run relationships between the prices of these commodities. The results have exhibited a high value of R2 (95%) and estimated own price elasticities of 0.32 and 0.33 in apple and 0.03 and 0.28 in pear, respectively in short- and long-run. The results have further revealed that the price of pear has a positive and significant impact on price of apple, as demonstrated by their respective coefficients. The study has concluded that if price of apple increases, people can opt for pear which has turned out to be an alternative crop.
O C ] 1 1 M ay 2 01 8 On Fundamental Operations for Multimodular Functions ∗

Multimodular functions, primarily used in the literature of queueing theory, discreteevent systems, and operations research, constitute a fundamental function class in discrete convex analysis. The objective of this paper is to clarify the properties of multimodular functions with respect to fundamental operations such as permutation and scaling of variables, projection (partial minimization) and convolution. It is shown, in particular, that the class of multimodular functions is stable under projection under a certain natural condition on the variables to be minimized, and the convolution of two multimodular functions is not necessarily multimodular, even in the special case of the convolution of a multimodular function with a separable convex function.
Different material properties of cancellous bone influence analysis of glenoid component loosening: A finite element study

Glenoid component loosening is one of common complications after total shoulder arthroplasty. In investigating the glenoid component loosening, the finite element study is one of methods that have been utilised by experts. Therefore, assigning material properties for all finite element models become crucial to avoid any misinterpretation which, later, lead to wrong prediction on the performance of glenoid implant. This study was conducted to achieve two objectives; (1) to analyse the effect of different bone properties towards micromotion and stress at implant and cement, and (2) to clarify simplification of bone properties in evaluating glenoid component loosening. A load of 750N was simulated at three different glenoid locations (centre – C, superior-anterior-SA, superior-posterior-SP) which imitate concentric and eccentric loadings for elderly people daily activities. Our result showed that large different in micromotion and stress at implant between orthotropic model and another two model (isotropic and full cortical) does not allow simplification for assigning material properties for bone. Thus, assigning cancellous bone as orthotropic material was a realistic material property to represent the real bone condition in evaluating glenoid implant loosening.
COLOR BEHAVIOR OF BL LACERTAE OBJECT OJ 287 DURING AN OPTICAL OUTBURST

This paper studies the color behavior of the BL Lac object OJ 287 during an optical outburst. Upon revisiting the data from the OJ 94 monitoring project, and from an analysis of the data obtained with the 60/90 cm Schmidt Telescope of NAOC, we found a bluer-when-brighter chromatism in this object. The amplitude of variation tends to decrease with frequency. These results are consistent with the shock-in-jet model. We ran some simulations and confirmed that both amplitude difference and time delay between variations at different wavelengths can result in the bluer-when-brighter phenomenon. Our observations confirmed that OJ 287 underwent a double-peaked outburst about 12 years after 1996, which provides further evidence for the binary black hole model in this object.
Electrochemical synthesis and studies of polypyrroles doped by renewable dopant cardanol azophenylsulfonic acid derived from cashew nutshells

The raw material cardanol, a renewable resource, is industrial waste and a pollutant from the cashew nut industry. Cardanol is a useful starting material for synthesizing a new amphiphilic molecule, cardanol azophenylsulfonic acid (CAPSA). In this study, polypyrroles were electrochemically synthesized with the renewable dopant CAPSA. The polymers were characterized with ultraviolet–visible, Fourier transform infrared, conductivity, impedance, charge–discharge, and cyclic voltammetry analyses. The conductivity of the films doped by CAPSA was in the range of 1.23–3.98 × 10−5 S/cm, and they exhibited moderate specific capacitance values. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
On the importance of forest assets for micro-firm performance

Business start-ups are on the increase, a development which is accompanied by hopes that these new firms will generate a potential for, e.g., local and regional development and a strengthening of local labour markets as well as the national economy. However, the long-term performance and viability of new firms are often rather poor. This research aims to analyse the importance of access to assets in the form of forest holdings for the performance of Swedish micro-firms. The analyses are based on official register data and fixed-effects panel regression modelling. A hypothesis is that a firm whose owner also possesses forest holdings is more viable thanks to the different resources (in the form of capital from logging or mortgaging, or non-pecuniary other values) the forest holdings may provide, and which possibly contribute to the firm’s economic stability and resilience to economic fluctuations. From a general point of view, we find support for the hypothesis that forest assets positively and significantly influence firm performance in terms of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), but not in terms of value added. Access to forest assets is never detrimental to firm performance, although it does not have a significant positive effect in all sub-categories of entrepreneurs based on different combinations of age, gender and firm type. Particularly, the economic performance of private firms run by older men benefits from resources stemming from their forest holdings. No significant effects were found for female entrepreneurs or for limited companies. As regards regional variations, firms located outside the metropolitan regions – as compared to those at the top of the urban hierarchy – are likely to perform better, thus indicating that local development may benefit from resource transfers from the forest sector to micro-firms engaged in non-primary activities.
Applying SWOT Analysis in Formulation of Propositions for more Effective Operational Application of Timeshare in Greece

The present paper aims to suggest specific actions- proposals for policies likely to counteract the difficulties involved in the operational application of Timeshare in Greece. The choice of the S.W. O.T. Analysis methodology can be accounted for by the fact that it enables the detection of strengths and weaknesses as they manifest themselves in the internal operational environment of the Greek Timeshare enterprises. Concurrently, opportunities and threats related to the Greek product are brought to light and clearly determined through the analysis of the external environment as well as of the Greek Timeshare market.