Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conjunction of a newly proposed emotional ANN (EANN) and wavelet transform for suspended sediment load modeling

Suspended sediment load (SSL) time series have three principal inherent components (autoregressive trend, seasonality and stochastic terms) and the overall performance of an SSL modeling tool is associated with the correct estimation of these components. In this study, novel developments of artificial neural network (ANN) models, emotional ANN (EANN) and hybrid wavelet-EANN (WEANN), are employed to estimate the daily and monthly SSL of two rivers (Upper Rio Grande and Lighvanchai) with different hydro-geomorphological conditions. The overall results obtained via autoregressive models, the ANN and EANN, specify the supremacy of EANN (with a few hormonal parameters) against ANN due to the EANN better training the model versus extreme conditions. Also, the obtained results exhibit that the WEANN model could improve the SSL modeling up to 42% and 14% for daily modeling and up to 141% and 87% for monthly modeling in the Upper Rio Grande and Lighvanchai Rivers, respectively.
Enhancing Performances of the VOXES Bragg Spectrometer for XES Investigations

Utilizing a dispersive crystal for X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) significantly enhances the energy resolution when compared with spectroscopy performed with just silicon drift detectors. This high resolution is particularly valuable for studying metals, as it offers essential insights into their electronic structures and chemical environments. Conducting such experiments in the laboratory, as opposed to synchrotron light sources, presents challenges due to the reduced intensities of X-ray tubes and, consequently, low signal rates, with the effect of increasing the acquisition time. In this study, we demonstrate that XES spectra can be acquired within a few hours for a CuNiZn metallic sample alloy while still maintaining a good energy resolution and a large dynamic range. This is achieved with the VOXES spectrometer, developed at INFN National Laboratories of Frascati (LNF), along with a background reduction procedure that enhances the signal from emission lines under study. This study is a showcase for improving the efficiency of XES in tabletop setup experiments.
Identification and Validation of Key Genes Related to Preferred Flavour Profiles in Australian Commercial Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Commercial papaya varieties grown in Australia vary greatly in taste and aroma. Previous profiling has identified undesirable ‘off tastes’ in existing varieties, discouraging a portion of the population from consuming papayas. Our focus on enhancing preferred flavours led to an exploration of the genetic mechanisms and biosynthesis pathways that underlie these desired taste profiles. To identify genes associated with consumer-preferred flavours, we conducted whole RNA sequencing and de novo genome assembly on papaya varieties RB1 (known for its sweet flavour and floral aroma) and 1B (less favoured due to its bitter taste and musty aroma) at both ripe and unripe stages. In total, 180,368 transcripts were generated, and 118 transcripts related to flavours were differentially expressed between the two varieties at the ripe stage. Five genes (cpBGH3B, cpPFP, cpSUS, cpGES and cpLIS) were validated through qPCR and significantly differentially expressed. These genes are suggested to play key roles in sucrose metabolism and aromatic compound production pathways, holding promise for future selective breeding strategies. Further exploration will involve assessing their potential across broader germplasm and various growth environments.
Hepatitis B in Pediatric Population: Observational Retrospective Study in Romania

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a frequent cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide, with an estimated 5.6 million children under 5 years being infected. In Romania, there are no available epidemiology reports on large cohorts in children. We aimed to assess the profile of pediatric chronic HBV infection in southern Romania. We conducted an observational retrospective study on 506 HBV-infected children. Based on alaninaminotransferase (ALT), HBV serology and viremia, we identified four states of the disease. We correlated age, gender, household HBV infection, coinfection with other viruses and laboratory parameters. Most patients were in a positive HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) immune-active state (65.4%). Age at diagnosis was significantly lower for those with household infection (p < 0.05). ALT values were not significantly different between positive or negative HBeAg patients in the immune-active state (p = 0.780). ALT values were higher in patients with hepatitis D virus (HDV)-associated infection (p < 0.001). Children with a household HBV infection had a high viraemia more frequently when compared to those with no infected relative (79.3% vs. 67.4%) (p < 0.001), but the ALT values were not significantly different (p = 0.21). Most of the patients are in an immune-active state (high ALT, high viremia). The percentages of HBV- and HDV-associated infections are high, but lower than the reported prevalence in Romania in the general population.
Hybrid Smoothing and Sharpening Filters Using the Spatial Domain: Literature Review

- This study explores the field of image processing, emphasizing the difficulty presented by exterior artefacts on film, such as scratches, bruises, and cracks. Due to the limitations of mathematical analysis, unlike homogeneous noise, the shape and location of these faults must be determined manually during picture processing. The tight balance between retaining minute details and removing undesirable effects like noise makes the search for a universal filtering algorithm ongoing. The proposed work presents the enhancing through removing noises by applying proposed smoothing technique in order to eliminate these noises, this step leads to the blurring case, so for removing this blurring case, the output of this step is considered as an input to the next step through applying a proposed sharpening algorithm in the field of spatial domain, the final step is grouping all the processed frames for retrieving the processed video segment, in order to measure the performance of the proposed work, we compare the proposed work with others through some determined metrics.
Human Action Recognition Systems: A Review of the Trends and State-of-the-Art

Human action recognition (HAR), deeply rooted in computer vision, video surveillance, automated observation, and human-computer interaction (HCI), enables precise identification of human actions. Numerous research groups have dedicated their efforts to various applications and problem domains in HAR systems. They trained classification models using diverse datasets, enhanced hardware capabilities and employed different metrics to assess performance. Although several surveys and review articles have been published periodically to highlight research advancements in HAR, there is currently no comprehensive and up-to-date study that encompasses architecture, application areas, techniques/algorithms, and evaluation methods as well as challenges and issues. To bridge this gap in the literature, this article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of HAR systems by thoroughly examining a meticulously chosen collection of 135 publications published within the past two decades. These findings have implications for researchers engaged in different aspects of HAR systems.
Economic freedom of the world

This report uses 42 distinct variables to create an index ranking of countries around the world based on policies that encourage economic freedom, and places Australia at number 10. Executive summary The index published in Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property. Forty-two variables are used to construct a summary index and to measure the degree of economic freedom in five broad areas: 1 Size of Government; 2 Legal System and Property Rights; 3 Sound Money; 4 Freedom to Trade Internationally; 5 Regulation. Since our first publication in 1996, numerous studies have used the data published in Economic Freedom of the World to examine the impact of economic freedom on investment, economic growth, income levels, and poverty rates. Virtually without exception, these studies have found that countries with institutions and policies more consistent with economic freedom have higher investment rates, more rapid economic growth, higher income levels, and a more rapid reduction in poverty rates. The EFW index now covers 152 countries and territories. Data are available for approximately 100 nations and territories back to 1980, and many back to 1970.3 This data set makes it possible for scholars to analyze the impact of both cross-country differences in economic freedom and changes in that freedom across a threedecade time frame.
Simulation of Typhoon Chaba over Korean Peninsula using HWRF Modeling System

ABSTRACT Kim, H. ; Heo, K. -Y. ; Kwon, J.-I. , and Park, K. -S. , 2018. Simulation of typhoon Chaba over Korean Peninsula using HWRF modeling system. In: Shim, J.-S. ; Chun, I. , and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 751–755. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Forecasting the intensity and track of typhoons is a complex and challenging problem. In this study, the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) system and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) was employed to improve the forecasting efficiency for typhoon track and intensity. A comparison analysis was performed between the HWRF and WRF systems using data from observational buoys in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula (KP). The HWRF model could capture typhoon Chaba's track after landfall better than the WRF model. With respect to the intensity, the HWRF model overestimated the maximum wind speed and central sea level pressure while the WRF model underestimated it. These results indicate that the HWRF model was superior to the WRF one for predicting the characteristics of typhoon Chaba after landfall. Further, the HWRF model is suitable for predicting typhoon induced high waves and surges over KP.
Consumer Tracking and Price Discrimination with Nested Consideration

This paper analyses price discrimination, informed by consumer tracking, in an online retail oligopoly. Consumers consider sequentially products in a search outcome list and differ in their engagement levels. A model of nested consideration with limited product suitability underpins heterogeneity in consumers’ consideration sets. When the market is sufficiently asymmetric, under both uniform and discriminatory pricing, duopolistic interactions can be supported in equilibrium. Under uniform pricing, these are driven by price segmentation. Under price discrimination, in contrast, they are driven by market segmentation, which intensifies price competition, harms industry profit, and benefits (imperfect) consumers (who gain from tracking).
Timeframe Analysis of Novel Synthetic Cannabinoids Effects: A Study on Behavioral Response and Endogenous Cannabinoids Disruption

This study investigates the impact of SCs consumption by assessing the effects of three novel synthetic cannabinoids (SCs); MDMB-CHMINACA, 5F-ADB-PINACA, and APICA post-drug treatment. SCs are known for their rapid onset (<1 min) and prolonged duration (≥5 h). Therefore, this research aimed to assess behavioral responses and their correlation with endocannabinoids (ECs) accumulation in the hippocampus, and EC’s metabolic enzymes alteration at different timeframes (1-3-5-h) following drug administration. Different extents of locomotive disruption and sustained anxiety-like symptoms were observed throughout all-encompassing timeframes of drug administration. Notably, MDMB-CHMINACA induced significant memory impairment at 1 and 3 h. Elevated levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) were detected 1 h post-MDMB-CHMINACA and 5F-ADB-PINACA administration. Reduced mRNA expression levels of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) (AEA and 2-AG degrading enzymes, respectively), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) occurred at 1 h, with FAAH levels remaining reduced at 3 h. These findings suggest a connection between increased EC content and decreased BDNF expression following SC exposure. Cognitive disruption, particularly motor coordination decline and progressive loss manifested in a time-dependent manner across all the analyzed SCs. Our study highlights the importance of adopting a temporal framework when assessing the effects of SCs.
Analysis of preoperative and postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus

Purpose This study aims to investigate the psychological status of patients with Hepple V osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) and evaluate the effect of autologous osteoperiosteal transplantation (AOPT) on their psychological well-being. Methods Fifty patients with Hepple V OLT who underwent AOPT at the Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Surgery Ward of Xi’an Honghui Hospital from November 2021 to May 2023 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of preoperative symptoms of anxiety/depression. Group A comprised patients with preoperative symptoms, while Group B included patients without such symptoms. Preoperative and final follow-up assessments included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for evaluating anxiety and depression, the visual analogue scale for pain assessment, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores for assessing ankle and hindfoot function. Results Among the 50 Hepple V OLT patients who obtained complete follow-up, twenty-four had preoperative symptoms of anxiety/depression, with an incidence rate of up to 48%. Patients in Groups A and B showed significant improvement in all evaluation indexes after AOPT compared to the preoperative period, but the overall prognosis of Group A was poorer than that of Group B. Conclusion AOPT can effectively improve patients’ pain, functional activities, and psychological status, and there is a significant correlation between patients’ preoperative psychological status and prognosis.
Peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping (TBNK) – a comparison of BD FACSCanto II and BD FACSLyric flow cytometry analysers

Introduction: Flow cytometry immunophenotyping is a common laboratory technique for evaluating lymphocyte subpopulations. Its result remains an important diagnostic tool in various medical fields. Cytometric tests are performed in many laboratories, making the comparability between different devices using the same method an important aspect. We aimed to compare the results of lymphocyte immunophenotyping (lymphocytes B, T, Th and Tc, NK cells) between two different flow cytometers. Material and methods: The study included 93 patients of the Children’s Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Warsaw and 9 Multi-Check control results. The method of lymphocyte subpopulation assessment was based on fluorescent flow cytometry immunophenotyping, using a BD Multitest 6-color TBNK kit (Becton Dickinson). We compared BD FACSCanto II and BD FACSLyric analysers (Becton Dickinson). For data analysis, we used Spearman’s rank correlation, Bland-Altman plot and Passing-Bablok regression. Results: Spearman’s rank correlation showed a strong interrelation for all analysed parameters (0.808-0.985). In the Passing-Bablok regression analysis, all examined parameters showed linear dependence with the slope values close to 1 (0.940-1.134). Bland-Altman coefficient values were within the range of 2.94-8.62% with half of them being above 5% (T, Tc, Th, B, NKT absolute values and B percentage values). Conclusions: The results from both cytometers can be considered equivalent, but it should be noted that one of the statistical methods showed some deviations, presumably primarily due to the evaluators’ different gating techniques. The training of specialists performing these tests requires more attention.
HS-SPME-GC–MS Profiling of Volatile Organic Compounds and Polar and Lipid Metabolites of the “Stendesto” Plum–Apricot Kernel with Reference to Its Parents

Plum–apricot hybrids are the successful backcrosses of plums and apricots. Plums and apricots are well-known and preferred by consumers because of their distinct sensory and beneficial health properties. However, kernel consumption remains limited even though kernels are easily accessible. The “Stendesto” hybrid originates from the “Modesto” apricot and the “Stanley” plum. Kernal metabolites exhibited quantitative differences in terms of metabolites identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis and HS-SPME technique profiling. The results revealed a total of 55 different compounds. Phenolic acids, hydrocarbons, organic acids, fatty acids, sugar acids and alcohols, mono- and disaccharides, as well as amino acids were identified in the studied kernels. The hybrid kernel generally inherited all the metabolites present in the parental kernels. Volatile organic compounds were also investigated. Thirty-five compounds identified as aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, furans, acids, esters, and alkanes were present in the studied samples. Considering volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the hybrid kernel had more resemblance to the plum one, bearing that alkanes were only identified in the apricot kernel. The objective of this study was to investigate the volatile composition and metabolic profile of the first Bulgarian plum–apricot hybrid kernels, and to provide comparable data relevant to both parents. With the aid of principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), differentiation and clustering of the results occurred in terms of the metabolites present in the plum–apricot hybrid kernels with reference to their parental lines. This study is the first providing information about the metabolic profile of variety-defined kernels. It is also a pioneering study on the comprehensive evaluation of fruit hybrids.
The Effects Of An Intervention In Student Teachers’ Classroom Management Learning Processes

Classroom management learning of student teachers for secondary education at the workplace is often unfocused as they tend to struggle with the effective use of theoretical knowledge and how to use their teacher educators or others during their internship. As a consequence, student teachers lack efficiency in their classroom management learning process. In the present study, we present the development and implementation of an intervention with the ambition to add more focus and direction to student teachers’ classroom management learning by offering them activities they can use in their interpersonal learning process. Participation in this intervention was voluntary for student teachers. The intervention consisted of three activities: lesson observations, planned conversations and unplanned conversations. The results show that student teachers mainly use a combination of unplanned conversations and lesson observations to promote their learning, and that the intervention is helpful for student teachers to structure their learning process. The main conclusion of this study is that the intervention was effective for student teachers and it had impact on developing their knowledge and beliefs/attitudes, and differences in their interpersonal behaviour. However, the student teachers perceived no differences in their pupils’ behaviour in the classroom.
Integrating virtual screening, pharmacoinformatics profiling, and molecular dynamics: identification of promising inhibitors targeting 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: The pursuit of effective therapeutic solutions for SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 necessitates the repurposing of existing compounds. This study focuses on the detailed examination of the central protease, 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), a pivotal player in virus replication. The combined approach of molecular dynamics simulations and virtual screening is employed to identify potential inhibitors targeting 3CLpro. Methods: A comprehensive virtual screening of 7120 compounds sourced from diverse databases was conducted. Four promising inhibitors, namely EN1036, F6548-4084, F6548-1613, and PUBT44123754, were identified. These compounds exhibited notable attributes, including high binding affinity (ranging from −5.003 to −5.772 Kcal/mol) and superior Induced Fit Docking scores (ranging from −671.66 to −675.26 Kcal/mol) compared to co-crystallized ligands. Results: In-depth analysis revealed that F6548-1613 stood out, demonstrating stable hydrogen bonds with amino acids His41 and Thr62. Notably, F6548-1613 recorded a binding energy of −65.72 kcal/mol in Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MMGBSA) simulations. These findings were supported by Molecular Dynamics simulations, highlighting the compound’s efficacy in inhibiting 3CLpro. Discussion: The identified compounds, in compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five and exhibiting functional molecular interactions with 3CLpro, present promising therapeutic prospects. The integration of in silico methodologies significantly expedites drug discovery, laying the foundation for subsequent experimental validation and optimization. This approach holds the potential to develop effective therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2.
A participatory approach to monitoring slum conditions : an example from Ethiopia

58 Introduction The eradication of slums is currently on the global agenda. One of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is to ‘achieve significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020’ (UNDP, 2003). Efforts are being made to localise the MDGs. But in many developing cities, the scarcity of relevant data – coupled with lack of both human and financial resources for data collection and analysis – is a significant constraint. The large-scale implementation of slum upgrading and improvement programmes is one of the biggest challenges that communities and municipalities in developing countries face today. Such programmes aim to overcome diverse problems such as poor housing conditions, limited access to improved water and sanitation, insecure tenure, hazard risks, and high unemployment. In this article, we describe a participatory approach that could improve slum monitoring processes. It involves various actors with local knowledge and uses Geographic Information Technology (GIT). The approach reduces resource requirements while providing locally relevant and spatially detailed information. The data can be used for both planning and monitoring the effectiveness of slum intervention projects. This low cost participatory approach has been tested in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia – a large city with a high proportion of slum households. We used rapid urban appraisal methods, supported by GIT tools to map and analyse the slums. The methods and techniques used included focus group discussions, field observation with community members and local experts, and visual image interpretation using satellite images and aerial photographs. The approach has potential for replication and up-scaling to produce a city-wide database of slums that could be used to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing upgrading projects.