Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-sensitivity in vivo contrast for ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles will boost image contrast on portable MRI scanners operating at low magnetic fields. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners operating at ultra-low magnetic fields (ULF; <10 mT) are uniquely positioned to reduce the cost and expand the clinical accessibility of MRI. A fundamental challenge for ULF MRI is obtaining high-contrast images without compromising acquisition sensitivity to the point that scan times become clinically unacceptable. Here, we demonstrate that the high magnetization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) at ULF makes possible relaxivity- and susceptibility-based effects unachievable with conventional contrast agents (CAs). We leverage these effects to acquire high-contrast images of SPIONs in a rat model with ULF MRI using short scan times. This work overcomes a key limitation of ULF MRI by enabling in vivo imaging of biocompatible CAs. These results open a new clinical translation pathway for ULF MRI and have broader implications for disease detection with low-field portable MRI scanners.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF PULSED RADAR IDENTIFICATION USING HIDDEN MARKOV MODEL

Due to the increasing complexity in modern radar systems, it has become apparent that new ways of classify received signals are required. In this paper, the performance of a proposed method for radar system identification using hidden Markov model (HMM) is evaluated. In this method, a given radar system is modeled as a finite state automaton. In so, doing, it is possible to uncover the underlying system processes in a probabilistic fashion using hidden Markov models. Artificial deterministic signals are used to show that HMMs can provide adequate signal recognition. It will be shown that a perfect exists that is directly related to the number of symbols per period. A slightly adjusted version of this perfect model provides low false recognition rates in a threat library consisting of three models so long as the observation errors do not become too frequent. The simulation results show that if the observation errors are introduced, then, it becomes necessary to retrain the HMM with an error corrupted version of the original training sequence in order to improve the model's robustness.
The NPMM-200: large area high resolution for freeform surface measurement

Nanometer resolution metrology is a significant topic in the development and production of complex shaped high precision optics. The Nanopositioning and Nanomeasuring Machine NPMM-200 at ITO is built for nanometer scale positioning in a large scale measurement volume of 200 mm x 200 mm x 25 mm. The concept of the machine is based on a high precision interferometrically controlled stage in a stable metrological frame made of glass-ceramic. In this frame, different types of sensors can be attached for measurement of surface topographies. In this contribution, we present the use of optical sensors, such as a fixed focus probe, for measuring of high precision aspheric and freeform optics with this new machine.
Molecular Systematics of the Northern Andean Blueberries (Vaccinieae, Vaccinioideae, Ericaceae)

Genera of blueberries from the Andean clade (Vaccinieae, Ericaceae) have traditionally been distinguished on the basis of stamen characters in combination with features of the calyx and corolla. However, previous molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that most Andean genera are not monophyletic, and several workers have noted morphological overlap between Neotropical blueberry genera. This study analyzed sequence data from matK, ndhF, rps4, and nrITS (4664 bp) for 55 species from the Andean clade in order to assess the monophyly of Andean genera and to identify major clades of Andean blueberries. Results show that six of the 10 genera for which more than one species was sampled were not monophyletic, and four of these genera were polyphyletic. This study identified seven major clades within the Andean blueberries, Anthopterus‐Themistoclesia, Cavendishia, Satyria, Disterigma, Sphyrospermum, Thibaudia, and Ceratostema‐Macleania. Results indicate that most of the currently recognized Andean blueberry genera are not monophyletic and that morphological characters traditionally used to delimit genera in this species‐rich, cloud forest clade need to be reevaluated.
Repellant activity of plant essential oils formulation against three disease causing mosquito vectors.

A plant oil formulation (POF) consisting of calamus, cinnamon, citronella, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, menthe, orange oils and natural Camphor 10% was evaluated for its repellant potential against Aedes aegypti (L.), Anopheles stephensi Liston and Culex quinquefasciatus Say at 250 and 15.25 ppm. At 250 ppm concentrations the POF provided 100% protection from bites of Anopheles stephensi up to a mean time of 6 hours and 30 minutes while for C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti, it was 5 h 30 min. At 15.62 ppm it also exhibited more than 74% mean protection against C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti while it was 62.88% effective against A. stephensi. Ethanol which was used for suspension was kept as negative control and DEET (25 mg) served as positive control. The study concludes that this formulation could be used to repel these insects.
Phylogenetic implications of the morphology of the braincase of caecilian amphibians (Gymnophiona)

Caecilian morphology is strongly modified in association with their fossorial mode of life. Currently phylogenetic analyses of characters drawn from the morphology of caecilians lack resolution, as well as complementarity, with results of phylogenetic analyses that employ molecular data. Stemming from the hypothesis derived from the mammal literature that the braincase has the greatest potential (in comparison to other cranial units) to yield phylogenetic information, the braincase and intimately associated stapes of 27 species (23 genera) of extant caecilians were examined using images assembled via microcomputed tomography. Thirty-four new morphological characters pertaining to the braincase and stapes were identified and tested for congruence with previously recognized morphological characters. The results reveal that when added to previous character matrices, characters of the braincase and stapes resolve generic-level relationships in a way that is largely congruent with the results of molecular analyses. Analysis of a combined data set of molecular and morphological data provides a framework for conducting ancestral character state reconstructions, which resulted in the identification of 95 new synapomorphies for various clades and taxa, 27 of which appear to be unique for the taxa that possess them. Together these data demonstrate the utility of the application of characters of the braincase and stapes for resolving phylogenetic relationships for a group whose morphology is largely confounded by functional modifications. In addition this study provides evidence of the utility of the braincase in resolving problematic morphology-based phylogeny outside of Amniota, in an amphibian group. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166, 160–201.
Outcomes of Advanced Malignant Melanoma in a South African Public Health Sector Cohort: The Urgent Need for Effective Therapy

Abstract Background: Immunotherapy and molecularly targeted therapy have revolutionised the treatment of malignant melanoma however for South Africas public health sector patient population these treatment modalities are far out of reach and chemotherapy remains the only treatment option. Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of advanced melanoma and determine the need for therapies other than conventional chemotherapy in South Africas public health sector. Setting: The Department of Medical Oncology Steve Biko Academic hospital (SBAH) Pretoria South Africa. Methods: Files of patients with advanced malignant melanoma managed at SBAH from 01 January 2009 to 31 December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: One hundred files meeting the inclusion criteria were analysed 24 with regional (stage III) and 76 with metastatic (stage IV) disease. 23 (96%) patients with regional disease didnt receive adjuvant therapy and had a median time to progression (mTTP) of 12 months (95%CI; 8.9-15.0). Within the metastatic melanoma cohort 34 (79.1%) patients received chemotherapy and had a median overall survival (mOS) of 5 months (95% CI; 4.3-5.6) while patients that didnt receive chemotherapy had a mOS of 2 months (95% CI; 0.8-3.1) (p=0.213). Conclusion: These results reaffirm the impotent effects of chemotherapy in treating malignant melanoma and it is imperative that South Africas public health sector expands its armamentarium against this lethal disease.
Studies of Electron Capture by Multiply Charged Ions from Molecules using Translational Energy Spectroscopy

Abstract: Both single (TES) and double (DTES) translational energy spectroscopy has been used to study one-electron capture processes by N 2+ , C 2+ , He 2+ , N 5+ , and O 6+ ions in H 2 and CO at energies < 1keV/amu. The main excited product channels have been identified. In the case of He 2+ in H 2 and CO, one electron capture with dissociation becomes increas-ingly important as the collision energy is decreased. In the case of N 5+ in H 2 , autoionising double capture with dissociation is an important process at the lowest energies considered. All the measurements are in good agreement with theoretical predictions where available. Keywords: One electron capture, dissociative capture, multiply charged ions. Introduction Electron capture is the dominant inelastic process during the interaction of multiply charged ions and neutral atoms and molecules at energies less than 25 keV/amu. There is currently strong interest in these interactions due their importance in many astrophysical and terrestrial environments. For ex-ample, electron capture by solar wind ions interacting with cometary gases [1], by auroral ions inter-acting with planetary atmospheres [2], and stellar wind ions with the interstellar medium [3], results in the formation of excited states of either or both collision partners with the resultant visible, UV and X-ray emissions. The thermal and ionisation balance of astrophysical plasmas are influenced by one-electron capture processes [4] involving a wide variety of partially ionised ions. Modeling of ion trans-port and radiative cooling processes in the divertor region of current large Tokamak fusion plasma de-vices requires detailed information on the relevant electron capture processes [5]. There have been a large number of experimental measurements of total one-electron capture cross sections by multiply charged ions in atomic and molecular targets (see for example [6], [7]). Experi-
Lifestyle-Integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) Program to Prevent Falls: Participants Manual

LiFE is an individual program of activities embedded into daily routine and tasks. In a randomised control trial published in the British Medical Journal in 2012, the risk of falls in older people was reduced by one third, the ability to do everyday tasks was improved and physical activity levels increased. LiFE is a different approach to a traditional exercise program. In the LiFE program, unloading the dishwasher can become an opportunity to improve strength. Brushing your teeth can be a chance to improve balance. Your home or your garden can be your ‘gym. ’ LiFE activities are tailored to individual lifestyles. The LiFE manuals will introduce you to the key elements of LiFE, the underpinning concepts of embedding LiFE activities in daily routines and strategies for changing habits.
Growth of Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 on tert‐Butyl Alcohol Leads to the Induction of a Phthalate Dioxygenase‐related Protein and its Associated Oxidoreductase Subunit

The microbial degradation of tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA), an important environmental pollutant and an intermediate in the degradation of methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), was proposed to involve a monooxygenase for the initial oxidation of TBA, but up to now a specific enzyme with that activity has not been described except the well‐known AlkB for the Gram‐positive strain Mycobacterium austroafricanum IFP2012 (Lopez Ferreira et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2007, 75, 909–919). In the course of our studies of the MTBE pathway, the proteome patterns in one‐ and two‐dimensional gels of Aquincola tertiaricarbonis L108 which was grown on lactate, on hydroxyisobutyrate (2‐HIBA) and TBA, were compared. A protein of about 55 kDa was detected after growth on TBA and 2‐HIBA, which, after mass spectrometric analysis of the tryptic digested peptides, was assigned with a high score to phthalate dioxygenase. Sequence analysis of PCR products obtained with primers derived from the amino acid sequences in the above peptides supported the assignment to the hydroxylase subunit of phthalate dioxygenase‐like proteins by covering 96.7 % of a corresponding gene from Methylibium petroleiphilum PM1. The conserved amino acid motifs ‐R‐x12‐CxHRxxxLxxG‐x8‐CxYHR‐x6‐G‐ for the Rieske [2Fe‐2S] binding domain and (‐D/E)xxxDxxHxxxxH‐ for the mononuclear iron binding domain were found. A second protein of about 38 kDa was detected after growth on TBA with a lower score and attributed to a putative iron‐sulfur oxidoreductase subunit. Primers derived from the peptides resulted in an amplicon, which covered 75.7 % of a corresponding gene from M. petroleiphilum PM1. Conserved motifs ‐RxYSL‐x20‐22‐RGGS‐ for FMN binding and ‐GGIGxTPxxxM‐ for NAD binding were detected, which suggests that this protein is the small subunit of a two‐component phthalate dioxygenase‐like enzyme typically containing FMN. Dioxygenase‐related enzymes are known to catalyze also monooxygenase reactions (see e.g. Zhou et al. J. Bacteriol. 2002, 184, 1547–1555), which makes it likely that the two proteins induced in the presence of TBA are involved in TBA oxidation.
Planting density and corm size effects on flower yield and quality of cut-freesia (Freesia hybrid) in Ethiopia

Greenhouse experiment was conducted at Freesia Ethiopia Plc. , located at Sululta, Ethiopia, to determine the effects of planting density and corm size on flower yield and quality of cut-freesia. Planting densities 90, 100 and 110 corms per m2 and corm sizes of 3, 3.5 and 4 cm in circumference were evaluated on two varieties ‘Volante’ and ‘Casino’ using Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangement (3 x 3 x 2) with three replications. Emergence date, flowering date, cut flower yield and quality parameters were recorded and analyzed. Consequently, increment of planting density resulted highest number of cut-flowers. Corm size difference positively influenced the stem length, spike length and cut-flowers yield. Significant interaction effects were also found between corm sizes and varieties on yield and quality traits. In general, using the biggest corm and highest planting density exhibited superior result for the greenhouse production of the stated varieties. However, to come up with complete recommendations, further investigations should be conducted in line with other agronomic packages and varieties of economic viability.
Gintarasia and Xalocoa, two new genera to accommodate temperate to subtropical species in the predominantly tropical Graphidaceae (Ostropales, Ascomycota)

Abstract. The phylogenetic placement of Chapsa lamellifera, C. megalophthalma and Diploschistes ocellatus was studied using a dataset of five genetic markers (mtSSU, nuLSU, RPB1, RPB2 and ITS). As extratropical species occurring in Australasia, C. lamellifera and C. megalophthalma differ from other species in that genus by having relatively large ascomata with muriform ascospores and complex chemistry of either the protocetraric or stictic acids chemosyndrome. D. ocellatus is unique within Diploschistes, in lacking lateral paraphyses and containing the norstictic acid chemosyndrome. Previous phylogenetic analysis gave inconclusive results regarding the phylogenetic position of these taxa, and hence in the present study, a larger sampling of molecular markers was employed. Our results demonstrated that the two Chapsa species and D. ocellatus are not part of their current genera. Consequently, the new genera Gintarasia Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch and Xalocoa Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch are described to accommodate these species. The new combinations Gintarasia lamellifera (Kantvilas & Vězda) Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch, G. lordhowensis (Mangold) Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch, G. megalophthalma (Müll. Arg.) Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch and Xalocoa ocellata (Vill.) Kraichak, Lücking & Lumbsch are also proposed.
Exploratory Activities for Understanding Evolutionary Relationships Depicted by Phylogenetic Trees: United but Diverse

Abstract Evolution explains both the unity and the diversity of all organisms, and developing students' ability to represent and communicate evolutionary relationships is an important component of a complete biology education. We present a series of student-centered, exploratory activities to help students develop their tree-thinking skills. In these activities, students use complementary phenotypic and molecular data to explore how to build phylogenetic trees and interpret the evolutionary relationships they represent. This learning module is designed to engage students in the process of science, provide them with active learning experiences using online bioinformatics tools, and foster their appreciation for the evolutionary connections across the tree of life.
Predicting Student Retention in Higher Education Using Data Mining Techniques: A Literature Review

Many students drop out of higher education (HE) within the first year of enrollment, directly impacting academic achievement, student satisfaction, and the overall quality of the educational experience. Thus, improving student retention has become a top research priority in many HE institutions. This study aims to clarify the knowledge gap between the most effective data mining technique and the most influential factors that affect student retention. Several methods have been used to predict student retention, such as data analytics and machine learning (ML) techniques. The study reviewed and evaluated 10 current publications to increase student retention in HE. Moreover, the study examines the factors influencing student retention and the ML methods used. Additionally, the study discussed algorithms proven to work well and the challenges associated with using them. The study shows that the decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), neural network (NN), AdaBoost, XGBoost, and long short-term memory (LSTM) algorithms performed the best out of the investigated algorithms when predicting student retention, with performance rates over 78.1%. The study concludes by discussing the limitations of this study and highlighting suggestions for future research directions that can be applied to increase student retention in HE.
Ergenler İçin Duygu Düzenleme Ölçeği’nin Türkçe’ye Uyarlanması

Current literature demonstrated a strong relationship between emotional regulation or dysregulation and mental health. Several attempts have been made to assess how human beings regulate specifi c emotions they face. The purpose of the current study was to investigate psychometric properties of the Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire (REQ) developed by Phillips and Power (2007) in Turkish adolescents. In order to test the construct validity of the REQ, both exploratory and confi rmatory factor analyses were carried out. Results of EFA and DFA yielded four subscales (external-dysfunctional, internal-dysfunctional, internal-functional, and external-dysfunctional) alike the original study, and 18item of original 19 items. Criterion validity study was run with 190 subjects and yielded signifi cant correlations were obtained between the REQ and Strengths and Diffi culties Questionnaire, Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale and Psychosomatic Symptoms Subscale of Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. The questionnaire has satisfactory internal consistency values varied from . 57 to . 76. Test-retest reliability study was conducted with 175 subjects and the correlations varied from . 51 and . 70. Findings demonstrated that the scale has good psychometric properties for Turkish adolescents
Dual control of the levels of photoprotective compounds by ultraviolet radiation and temperature in the freshwater copepod Boeckella antiqua

Photoprotective compounds (PPCs), such as carotenoids and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), confer photoprotection to aquatic organisms against harmful ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation. The natural variability of these compounds in zooplankton has been related to temperature, radiation and diet, but the ultimate mechanisms regulating the observed patterns in the field are still unclear. In this study, we analysed the variability of carotenoids and MAAs in a population of the calanoid copepod Boeckella antiqua in a shallow pond located in Northern Patagonia (Argentina). During our field survey, carotenoids and MAAs in B. antiqua varied without a clear seasonal pattern. Nevertheless, both groups of PPCs reached their maxima during spring and minima during summer. Inverse relationships were found between carotenoid concentrations versus temperature and irradiance. For MAAs, the same relationships were not significant. Tolerance experiments showed that mortality of B. antiqua was significantly influenced both by temperature and UVB dose, being more vulnerable at high temperature. We further investigated the effect of radiation regime and temperature on the bioaccumulation of PPCs in controlled laboratory experiments. We found that the concentrations of PPCs could be experimentally modified by manipulating radiation exposure and temperature. In addition, by breaking down the bioaccumulation processes into uptake and elimination, we were able to show that (i) the uptake rate was stimulated by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)+UVA exposure and (ii) both uptake and elimination rates increased with temperature. Thus, the net accumulation (i.e. the balance between uptake and elimination), which ultimately dictates the concentration observed in an animal, could be either positive or negative depending on the specific combination of radiation exposure and temperature. The dual regulation of PPCs by radiation exposure and temperature should be considered in future efforts to reconstruct or predict the photoprotective responses of aquatic organisms to the past or future climate scenarios.
Corporate Governance and Cash Holdings: Empirical Evidence from an Emerging Market

The average cash holding for Taiwanese listed firms is more than doubles from 1990 to 2011. This study examines the relationship between firm-level corporate governance metrics and cash holding. We construct our hypotheses based on the agency motive of cash holding. We employ ownership structure, board attributes, and information transparency as proxies for the nature of corporate governance for Taiwanese firms. Firms with higher divergence between control and cash flow rights, unaffiliated, and not controlled by families, are more inclined to accumulate cash. In addition, firms with higher board independence and smaller board size tend to hold more cash. Firms with higher information transparency will actually have larger cash reserves. Our evidence suggests that corporate governance structures are important in determining cash holdings for Taiwanese publicly-traded firms.