Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Household Livelihood Strategy Changes and Agricultural Diversification: A Correlation and Mechanism Analysis Based on Data from the China Family Panel

Social and economic transformations have a profound impact on farmers’ livelihood strategies, and changes in these strategies, in turn, deeply impact the agricultural system. Based on four waves of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) tracking data, this paper uses a Markov transfer probability matrix to explore changes in farmers’ livelihood strategies and builds multiple logit and fixed-effect models to empirically analyze the impact and lag effect of these changes on agricultural diversification. The results show that (1) farmers who choose not to shift away from an agricultural livelihood show no significant change in agricultural diversification. Compared with households showing an increase in the agricultural diversification index, households showing a decrease in this index are more inclined to diversify if they choose to maintain an agricultural livelihood either part-time or full-time. For households with an unchanged agricultural diversification index, their index value is more likely to remain unchanged if they choose to maintain a part-time or full-time agriculture-oriented livelihood. Moreover, (2) the impact of livelihood strategy changes on agricultural diversification displays regional heterogeneity. The index value of farmers in the central region shows no statistically significant change over the sample period, while the index value of farmers in the eastern region increases. Farmers in the eastern and central regions with unchanged index values are more inclined to show persistent index values. (3) Changes in farmers’ livelihood strategies have a lag effect on agricultural diversification that becomes significant at two lag periods.
Deterministic controlled bidirectional remote state preparation in dissipative environments

It is a significant subject to explore effective quantum communication protocol and enhance the efficiency of the transmission process in noisy environments. In this paper, we investigate the bidirectional controlled remote preparation of an arbitrary single-qubit state in the presence of dissipative environments by using two EPR states as the entanglement source. We first construct the quantum circuit of our scheme by means of unitary matrix decomposition procedure, then the effects of the Markovian and non-Markovian environmental noises acting on the EPR states are considered through the analytical derivation and numerical calculations of the corresponding average fidelity. Moreover, we adopt two methods of weak measurement reversal (WMR) and detuning modulation to improve the average fidelity. Our results show that the average fidelity can be remarkably enhanced under appropriate conditions of the WMR strength and the detuning. Compared with the average fidelity behaviors in dissipative environments, it is also shown that the two methods for fidelity improvement are more efficient in the non-Markovian regime than in the Markovian regime.
Regulation of Δ6Fads2 Gene Involved in LC-PUFA Biosynthesis Subjected to Fatty Acid in Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Δ6 fatty acyl desaturase (Δ6Fads2) is regarded as the first rate-limiting desaturase that catalyzes the biosynthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) from 18-carbon fatty acid in vertebrates, but the underlying regulatory mechanism of fads2 has not been comprehensively understood. This study aimed to investigate the regulation role of fads2 subjected to fatty acid in large yellow croaker and rainbow trout. In vivo, large yellow croaker and rainbow trout were fed a fish oil (FO) diet, a soybean oil (SO) diet or a linseed oil (LO) diet for 10 weeks. The results show that LO and SO can significantly increase fads2 expression (p < 0.05). In vitro experiments were conducted in HEK293T cells or primary hepatocytes to determine the transcriptional regulation of fads2. The results show that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) can up-regulate fads2 expression. GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) can up-regulate fads2 expression in rainbow trout but showed opposite effect in large yellow croaker. Furthermore, C/EBPα protein levels were significantly increased by LO and SO (p < 0.05), gata3 expression was increased in rainbow trout by LO but decreased in large yellow croaker by LO and SO. In conclusion, we revealed that FO replaced by LO and SO increased fads2 expression through a C/EBPα and GATA3 dependent mechanism in large yellow croaker and rainbow trout. This study might provide critical insights into the regulatory mechanisms of fads2 expression and LC-PUFA biosynthesis.
Deep Learning-Enabled Inverse Design of 30–94 GHz Psat,3dB SiGe PA Supporting Concurrent Multiband Operation at Multi-Gb/s

Deep learning and artificial intelligence, in general, is advancing scientific discovery and technological inventions through its ability to extract inherently hidden features and map it to output in a highly complex multi-dimensional space. Synthesis of electromagnetic (EM) structures with nearly arbitrary with desired functional properties is such an example of a high dimensional optimization space. In this article, we employ deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to allow robust and rapid prediction of scattering properties of nearly arbitrary planar electromagnetic structures on chip. Utilizing this, the work reports an mm-wave PA in 90-nm SiGe with a novel deep learning-enabled inverse design of low-loss, broadband output matching network that achieves a PAE of 16%–24.7%, a saturation power of 16.7–19.5 dBm across Psat, 3 dB bandwidth of 30–94 GHz (103.2%), while supporting both single-carrier high-speed modulation and concurrent multiband multi-Gb/s non-constant amplitude modulation. The Psat, 3 dB bandwidth covers from 5G band up to W-band and is higher than all reported mm-wave silicon PAs which have peak PAE > 20% and demonstrates for the first time concurrent multiband (triple-band) transmission with superior performance at multi-Gb/s.
A Robust Home Alone Security System Using PIR Sensor and Face Recognition

CCTV-based video monitoring technology is one of the fastest growing security technologies markets. The existing video monitoring systems are, however, still not in a position to be used to prevent crime. For public safety purposes, large networks of cameras are increasingly deployed in public places like Residential Buildings, College Campus, offices, airports, railway stations, and shopping malls. Such systems are primarily dependent on human observers and are therefore limited over long periods by factors such as exhaustion and monitoring. In order to overcome this constraint, "intelligent" systems are required, which can highlight the critical data and remove normal conditions that are not a safety hazard. We propose a model utilizing machine learning techniques in order to build these smart systems. This research aims to create an application in real time, which is necessary for labs, places of work or homes where human detection and Recognition will be done for human safety
Towards Imbalanced Multiclass Driver Distraction Identification

Driver distraction is one of the leading causes of driving-related accidents worldwide. The ability to detect driver distraction preemptively is crucial to reducing the number of such accidents. This paper utilizes a novel multimodal dataset of thermal, visual, near-infrared, and physiological signals recorded from 45 subjects in order to identify distraction. We explore imbalanced distraction identification as a four-class problem across different types of distractions in order to resemble real-life scenarios, where the occurrence of different distractors varies. Our study analyzes the effectiveness of using early fusion across different modalities, a variety of window sizes, and data balancing schemas using synthetic instances. Moreover, we explore the effects of introducing subject-specific knowledge when training such identification models.
Association of Changes in Thickness of Limbal Epithelial and Stroma with Corneal Scars Detected by High-Resolution Anterior Segment Optic Coherence Tomography

Abstract Aim To investigate the corneal central and limbal thickness in cornea scar patients using high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and to determine the changes in the limbal region due to the corneal scar. Also, to evaluate tear film parameters in scar patients. Methods Thirty patients with central corneal scar and 30 control subjects. The control subjects were healthy individuals who came to our clinic for routine ophthalmological examination. They were enrolled in this matched case-control study. Central epithelial thickness (ET), stromal thickness (ST), limbal epithelial thickness (LET), and limbal stromal thickness (LST) were analyzed using high-resolution AS-OCT. For evaluation of the ocular surface, the following techniques were used: tear break-up time (BUT) employing standard sterile strips of fluorescein sodium, Schirmer test-I (SCH), and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) Questionnaire. Results The mean central ET of the patient group was 51.5 ± 12.4 µm, while the mean central ET of the control group was 59.2 ± 9.0 µm. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls (p = 0.008). The mean LST of the patients was 747.9 ± 115.7 µm, and the mean LST of the controls was 726.3 ± 79.7 µm. There was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls according to BUT (p = 0.009) and SCH (p = 0.04). However, there was no significant difference between OSDI results of patients and controls (p = 0.08). Conclusion Corneal monitoring with high-resolution AS-OCT is a simple, noninvasive, useful technique for corneal scar patients. Cornea scars cause decreased ET. This result could be associated with lower tear film parameters in scar patients. The scar length is associated with higher intraocular pressure (IOP) values. Decreased LET and increased LST were detected in scar patients.
Triterpenes from Olea europaea modulate in vitro ruminal fermentation

Abstract Bioactive compounds present in Olea europaea have shown promising antimicrobial potential as an alternative to conventional coccidiostats. These effects are exerted by triterpenic acids (TT) present in the olive plant, namely, oleanolic acid (OA), ursolic acid (UA), and maslinic acid (MA). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of OA, UA, and MA on in vitro ruminal fermentation in comparison with monensin (MON). The study consisted of two experiments conducted as randomized complete block designs using bahiagrass hay or a high-concentrate mixed ration as basal substrates. In the first experiment (Exp. 1), a batch culture was performed with increasing doses of OA, UA, or MA. In Exp. 2, to increase the solubility of OA, two chemical forms were evaluated: a sodium salt (OA-NA) or a phyto-phospholipid complex (OA-PHYT) at 0, 4, 40, 100, and 200 mg/L of incubation inoculum. In both experiments, the dose 0 was used as control (CTL) and monensin (MON) as a positive control. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments. For Exp. 2, orthogonal polynomial contrasts, adjusted for unequal spacing were used to determine the linear effects of increasing doses of OA-NA and OA-PHYT. In Exp. 1, OA reduced the concentration of CH4 in the high-concentrate substrate compared with CTL (P = 0.04). In Exp. 2 the total gas production was linearly decreased with increasing doses of OA-NA in both substrates (P ≤ 0.02). Furthermore, OA-NA and OA-PHYT decreased in vitro organic matter digestibility (P < 0.01) in the bahiagrass substrate to the same extent that MON did. However, the concentration of CH4/g of incubated DM was only reduced by the highest doses of OA-NA (P < 0.02). Lastly, no effects were observed for total VFA nor the VFA profile; however, OA-NA linearly decreased the A:P ratio in the bahiagrass substrate (P = 0.03). In conclusion, the acid form of OA as well as the sodium salt and phyto-phospholipid complex of OA were able to modify some fermentation parameters in this study; however, the magnitude of the responses was lower compared with monensin. Future studies should test OA in vivo to determine if the effects on ruminal fermentation observed here can translate into improve production efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.
Serum markers in monitoring the outcome of Sofosbuvir-based treatments in HCV genotype 4 Egyptian patients

Even though Sofosbuvir (SOF) has revolutionized the treatment of chronic HCV infection, treatment with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) in combination with Ribavirin (RBV) is considered the standard of care for treatment in many countries . This study aimed to monitor the efficacy and safety of SOF/RBV with or without Peg-INF- α -2a, in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 (GT4). 165 patients infected with HCV-GT4 were enrolled in this prospective study. Eligible patients received the recommended doses of SOF/RBV for 24 weeks (Dual treatment) or SOF/RBV/Peg-IFN-α -2a for 12 weeks (Triple treatment). All patients were followed up for 24 weeks after the end of therapy. The highest sustained virological response (SVR) rates were attained with the Triple group corresponding to the Dual group. Patients who failed to treatment, had higher baseline platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in both groups, tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF - α) in the Dual group, and lower thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the Triple group. Adverse effects included a decrease in hemoglobin and white blood cells (WBCs) with an increase in creatinine, ferritin and TSH. The favorable effects included normalization of liver indices, correction of hypolipidemia, together with a decrease in TNF- α. Moreover, the current study showed the overall frequency of Interleukin28B ( IL28B ) genotypes was 100% for genotype CT. Results of SOF-based therapies achieved better SVR24 rates with the addition of Peg-INF- α -2a.
The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamin in Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. However, the pathophysiological process of stroke is still not fully clarified. Mitochondria play an important role in promoting nerve survival and are an important drug target for the treatment of stroke. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of stroke. Mitochondria are in a state of continuous fission and fusion, which are termed as mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial dynamics are very important for maintaining various functions of mitochondria. In this review, we will introduce the structure and functions of mitochondrial fission and fusion related proteins and discuss their role in the pathophysiologic process of stroke. A better understanding of mitochondrial dynamin in stroke will pave way for the development of new therapeutic options.
A finite strain chemo-poro-mechanical framework for the chemically stimulated permeation of fluid in polymer gels

Polyelectrolyte polymer gels can significantly increase or decrease their volume by an external stimulus. The reason for this ability is the multiphasic structure of the gel. In the present work, a chemo-electro-poromechanical model is presented, which is supposed to map the swelling behavior of chemically stimulated polymer gels. The presented model was implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics®, and the swelling behavior of an acrylamide gel was simulated afterward. The mechanical parameters were obtained from experimental data using a least square optimization while the other material parameters were calibrated to the experimentally determined swelling behavior.
Effect of Ultrasonic Induction on the Main Physiological and Biochemical Indicators and γ–Aminobutyric Acid Content of Maize during Germination

Research on the nutrient content of cereal grains during germination is becoming a hot topic; however, studies on germinated maize are still scarce. This study aimed to provide a technical reference and theoretical basis for the development of functional maize health foods and to expand the application of ultrasonic technology in the production of germinated grains. In this study, the germination rate of maize was used as the evaluation index, and the ultrasonic frequency, ultrasonic temperature, and induction time were selected as the influencing factors in orthogonal experiments to determine the optimal process parameters for ultrasonic induction of maize germination (ultrasonic frequency of 45 kHz, ultrasonic temperature of 30 °C, and ultrasonic induction time of 30 min). Based on this process, the effects of ultrasonic induction on the main physiological, biochemical, and γ–aminobutyric acid contents of maize during germination were investigated. The results showed that the respiration of the ultrasonic treated maize was significantly enhanced during germination, resulting in a 27% increase in sprout length, as well as a 4.03% higher dry matter consumption rate, and a 2.11% higher starch consumption rate. Furthermore, the reducing sugar content of germinated maize increased by 22.83%, soluble protein content increased by 22.52%, and γ–aminobutyric acid content increased by 30.55% after ultrasonic induction treatment. Throughout the germination process, the glutamate acid decarboxylase activity of the ultrasonically treated maize was higher than that of the control group, indicating that ultrasonication can promote maize germination, accelerate the germination process, and shorten the enrichment time of γ–aminobutyric acid in germinated maize. The results of this study can be applied to the production of γ–aminobutyric acid enrichment in germinated maize.
Learning to Improve Recommender Systems

of thesis entitled: Learning to Improve Recommender Systems Submitted by LING, Guang for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in March 2015 With the rapid development of e-commerce websites, music and video streaming websites and social sharing websites, users are facing an explosion of choices nowadays. The presence of unprecedentedly large amount of choices leads to the information overload problem, which refers to the difficulty a user faces in understanding an issue and making decisions that are caused by the presence of too much information. Recommender systems learn users’ preferences based on past behaviors and make suggestions for them. These systems are the key component to alleviate and solve the information overload problem. Encouraging progress has been achieved in the research of recommender systems from neighborhood-based methods to model-based methods. However, recommender systems employed today are far from perfect. In this thesis, we propose to improve the recommender systems from four perspectives motivated by real life problems. First and foremost, we develop online algorithms for collaborative filtering methods, which are widely applicable to recommender systems. Traditionally batch-training algorithms are developed for collaborative filtering methods. They enjoy the advantage of easy to understand and simple to implement. However, the batch-training algorithms fail to consider the dynamic scenario where new users and new items join the system constantly. In order to make recommendations for these new users and on these new items, batch-
An Ontology Model for Medical Tourism Supply Chain Knowledge Representation

—This study developed an application ontology related to the medical tourism supply chain domain (MTSC). The motivation for developing an ontology is that current MTSC studies use a descriptive approach to provide knowledge, which is difficult to comprehend and apply. The formalization of MTSC knowledge can provide medical tourism stakeholders with a shared understanding of the medical tourism business. As a result, the MTSC domain requires efficient semantic knowledge representation. Ontology is a popular approach for integrating knowledge and comprehension because it presents schema and knowledge base in an accurate and relevant feature. This paper employed the ontology engineering methodology, which included specification, conceptualization, and implementation steps. The conceptual model and facets of the MTSC are proposed. The MTSC objective and scope are tested with semantic competency questions against SPARQL Query formulations. The ontology metrics evaluation was used to verify the ontology quality including the external validation done by the domain experts. The results showed that the MTSC ontology has an appropriate schema design, terminologies, and query results.
Osseous Union after Mandible Reconstruction with Fibula Free Flap Using Manually Bent Plates vs. Patient-Specific Implants: A Retrospective Analysis of 89 Patients

The aim of this monocentric, retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the status of osseous union in uni- and poly-segmental mandible reconstructions regarding conventional angle-stable manually bent osteosynthesis plates (Unilock 2.0 mm) versus titan laser-melted PSI patient-specific implant’s (PSI). The clinical impact of PSI’s high stiffness fixation methods on bone healing and regeneration is still not well addressed. The special interest was in evaluating the ossification of junctions between mandible and fibula and between osteotomized fibula free flap (FFF) segments. Panoramic radiograph (OPT), computed tomography (CT) scans, or cone-beam CTs (CBCT) of patients who underwent successful FFF for mandible reconstruction from January 2005 to December 2020 were analyzed. A total number of 89 cases (28 females (31.5%), 61 males (68.5%), mean age 58.2 ± 11.3 years, range: 22.8–82.7 years) fulfilled the chosen inclusion criteria for analysis (conventional: n = 44 vs. PSI: n = 45). The present study found an overall incomplete ossification (IOU) rate of 24.7% (conventional: 13.6% vs. PSI: 35.6%; p = 0.017) for mandible to fibula and intersegmental junctions. Between osteotomized FFF segments, an IOU rate of 16% was found in the PSI-group, while no IOU was recorded in the conventional group (p = 0.015). Significant differences were registered for IOU rates in poly-segmental (p = 0.041), and lateral (p = 0.016) mandibular reconstructions when PSI was used. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified plate exposure and type of plate used as independent risk factors for IOU. Previous or adjuvant radiotherapy did not impact incomplete osseous union in the evaluated study sample. PSI is more rigid than bent mini-plates and shields functional mechanical stimuli, and is the main reason for increasing the rate of incomplete ossification. To enhance the functional stimulus for ossification it has to be discussed if patient-specific implants can be designed to be thinner, and should be divided into segmental plates. This directs chewing forces through the bone and improves physiological bone remodeling.
High Resolution Map of Water in the Martian Regolith Observed by FREND Neutron Telescope Onboard ExoMars TGO

Studies of water content in the Martian subsurface by means of neutron spectroscopy is a well‐known technique, very sensitive to water abundance. The FREND instrument onboard the ExoMars TGO is the latest experiment of that kind. Its major characteristic and advantage compared to the predecessors is its capability of high spatial resolution measurements – massive collimator shields FREND's detectors, allowing for a narrow field of view. In this study we present a global map of Water Equivalent Hydrogen (WEH) in the upper meter of the Martian subsurface, which is built based on the FREND data. We show that it contains more local features and reveals more structure than analogous maps from omnidirectional experiments, available previously. Further analysis shows that local water‐rich regions can be located through the analysis of the FREND data, some of these containing about 20 wt% of WEH – a very unusual amount for regions at moderate latitudes, where free water and water ice are thought to be unstable in the shallow subsurface.