Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Suicide Risk and Mental Health Outcomes among Hong Kong Veterinarians: A Cross-Sectional Study

The professional quality of life (ProQOL) in the veterinary profession has gained increasing attention, yet little is known about its association with the mental health status of Hong Kong veterinarians. This study aimed to examine the impact of elements that make up ProQOL on the risk of suicide, depression, and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians. All veterinarians registered and practicing in Hong Kong at the time of recruitment were eligible to take part in the e-survey study between 1 January and 31 March 2022. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data from 56 participants. The results showed that 22.0% of the participants were at risk of suicide, 19.6% had current suicidal ideation, 29.4% had depression, and 29.4% had anxiety symptoms. The findings suggested poor mental health status among Hong Kong veterinarians and were comparable to or more prevalent than those reported in Anglophone and European countries. Results from the binary logistic regression suggested that burnout was a predictor of depressive symptoms, and that secondary traumatic stress showed potential in predicting suicide risk. Our study, however, did not find conclusive evidence supporting compassion satisfaction as a predictor of reduced symptoms of common mental issues. Further investigation into contextual factors affecting the mental health of veterinarians in Hong Kong is warranted. Improving the profession’s mental health literacy and self-efficacy should be prioritized as a suicide prevention strategy to enhance mental health awareness.
An HPC Pipeline for Calcium Quantification of Aortic Root From Contrast-Enhanced CCT Scans

Precise assessment of calcification lesions in the Aortic Root (AR) is relevant for the success of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) procedure. To this end, the radiologists analyze the Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) scans of patients, and detect the position and extent of the calcium deposits. In this contribution, we develop a computationally efficient High-Performance Computing (HPC) system to detect, segment, and quantify volumes of calcium in contrast-enhanced CCTs, embedding in a three-step pipeline two 3D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and a threshold adaptive filter. The first step crops the images to a bounding-box around the AR keeping the original resolution, the second builds the segmentation, and the third detects and measures the volume of the calcium lesions. Our system is trained on high-resolution contrast-CCTs routinely planned for the TAVI manually annotated by expert radiologists, and evaluated on a test-set of patients with different levels of calcifications. The accuracy achieved in segmenting the AR is approximately 92% for the test-set, while the average difference of calcium lesion volumes with respect to the radiologists measurements is about 0.49 mm3. Running on a 4X NVIDIA-V100 and an 8X NVIDIA-A100 GPU systems, we achieve a remarkable inference throughput of 17 and 70 CCT/sec respectively, and a linear scaling of computing performance. Our contribution provides an HPC system suitable for hospital premises installation and is able to aid radiologists in assessing the calcification level of patients undergoing the TAVI, making this process automated, fast and more reliable.
The impact of public debt on economic growth: An empirical study of Mexico (1994–2016)

Following on from recent literature on the same subject, this paper analyses the impact of public debt on economic growth in Mexico between 1994 and 2016, against a global macroeconomic backdrop of sharp rises in public sector debt indicators, owing to expansionary fiscal strategies adopted after the 2007–2008 crisis. The main objectives of this study are to determine whether the relationship between these two variables has followed a non-linear path in the form of an inverted “U”, and to find the threshold beyond which increases in debt generate marginal decreases in growth. Using a dynamic model, a non-linear inverted U-shaped relationship is demonstrated, and the threshold in the debt-to-GDP ratio is found to be 27%.
Logo classification of amphetamines by surf and bag-of-features model

An amphetamine is one of the drugs apprehended by the policemen in Thailand. At present, when an amphetamine drug seller is arrested, captured amphetamines are sent to the Scientific Crime Detection Center Region 1 to identify the amphetamines' source. Each drug is classi? ed based on the printed character to relevant information from the source of drugs. For each case, a large volume of drugs is sent to be classified by only three staff members. It is a time-consuming task. In this work, we propose a framework for classifying the image of amphetamines based on their logo using the SURF and Bag-of-features model (BoF). In this work, we have dataset consists of three types: Apple logo for 192 images, R logo for 103 images, and WY logo for 360 images. We found that the unsmooth surface and low contrast are the main factors of low accuracy for this classification. Therefore, we propose a process to enhance the main feature and reduce noise on the surface using an adaptive filter, Contrast-Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), active contour, and image morphology. Our proposed algorithm shows that the clarity of the logo on amphetamines is improved. We also then apply SURF to extract features and classify using BoF. This experimental result shows for each step can improve the accuracy and the accuracy of our method is up to 97 percent. The accuracy of the WY logo classification by our proposed method is 94 percent.
Current Status of Angiogenesis Inhibitors as Second-Line Treatment for Unresectable Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary Colorectal cancer is the third most common disease and the second most common cause of death around the world. The drug for second-line treatment is determined by the type of drug used for first-line treatment and the biomarker status. As biomarkers, the RAS gene, BRAF gene, and dMMR (mismatch repair deficient)/MSI-H (microsatellite instability-high), TMB-H (tumor mutation burden-high), and HER2 statuses have been evaluated in clinical practice, and the corresponding molecularly targeted therapeutic agents should be selected based on the biomarker status. If all of these biomarkers are negative, an angiogenesis inhibitor is often used as second-line treatment. Although no useful biomarkers have been established for the selection of bevacizumab (BEV), ramucirumab (RAM), or aflibercept (AFL), which are the angiogenesis inhibitors used in second-line treatment, previous biomarker studies have suggested that VEGF-A and VEGF-D might be potential predictors of their therapeutic efficacy. The rationale for selecting these three angiogenesis inhibitors in second-line treatment should be clarified. Abstract Colorectal cancer is the third most common disease and the second most common cause of death around the world. The drug for second-line treatment depends on the drugs used in first-line treatment and the biomarker status. As biomarkers, the RAS gene, BRAF gene, and dMMR/MSI-H, TMB-H, and HER2 statuses have been established in clinical practice, and the corresponding molecularly targeted therapeutic agents are selected based on the biomarker status. Given the frequency of biomarkers, it is assumed that when patients move on to second-line treatment, an angiogenesis inhibitor is selected in many cases. For second-line treatment, three angiogenesis inhibitors, bevacizumab (BEV), ramucirumab (RAM), and aflibercept (AFL), are available, and one of them is combined with cytotoxic agents. These three angiogenesis inhibitors are known to inhibit angiogenesis through different mechanisms of action. Although no useful biomarkers have been established for the selection of angiogenesis inhibitors, previous biomarker studies have suggested that angiogenesis-related factors such as VEGF-A and VEGF-D might be predictors of the therapeutic efficacy of angiogenesis inhibitors. These biomarkers are measured as protein levels in plasma and are considered to be promising biomarkers. We consider that the rationale for selecting among these three angiogenesis inhibitors should be clarified to benefit patients.
Complement C3 Reduces Apoptosis via Interaction with the Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) elicits an acute inflammatory response involving complement factors. Recently, we reported that myocardial necrosis was decreased in complement C3−/− mice after heart I/R. The current study used the same heart model to test the effect of C3 on myocardial apoptosis and investigated if C3 regulation of apoptosis occurred in human cardiomyocytes. Comparative proteomics analyses found that cytochrome c was present in the myocardial C3 complex of WT mice following I/R. Incubation of exogenous human C3 reduced apoptosis in a cell culture system of human cardiomyocytes that did not inherently express C3. In addition, human C3 inhibited the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in a cell-free apoptosis system. Finally, human pro-C3 was found to bind with an apoptotic factor, pro-caspase 3, in a cell-free system. Thus, we present firsthand evidence showing that C3 readily reduces myocardial apoptosis via interaction with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
A New Training Protocol Based on Bimanual Playing a Computer Game for Motion-Cognitive Rehabilitation in Children with Spastic Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP) occurs due to damage to the hemisphere of the brain responsible for controlling movement. Objectives: This study aims to propose a novel bimanual training approach utilizing a specific computer game to improve hand movement function and enhance working memory in children with hemiparetic CP. Methods: Five children with hemiparetic CP participated in a 15-session intervention three times a week, each lasting 30 minutes, incorporating bimanual training through a computer game. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) and the Corsi block-tapping test evaluated sensorimotor and cognitive abilities. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Results: The mean FMA-UE score before and after the intervention was 51 ± 3.31 and 59.5 ± 1.14, respectively, indicating a statistically significant difference (P = 0.008) and an increase in total upper extremity motor function score. Additionally, the mean Corsi block-tapping test score for memory span before and after the intervention was 2.3 ± 0.84 and 3.1 ± 1.14, respectively, demonstrating improved cognitive ability. Conclusions: The combination of bimanual hand training and video games has been shown to be effective in enhancing motor-cognitive abilities in children with hemiparetic CP.
Localisation robuste d'un véhicule en environnement urbain à partir d'un système de stéréo-vision

Cette these s'inscrit dans le contexte de la robotique mobile et plus precisement dans le cadre de la localisation de vehicules en environnement urbain. Notre tâche a consiste a extraire le maximum d'informations sur le deplacement d'un systeme de stereo-vision non-calibre embarque a bord d'un vehicule en s'appuyant sur l'environnement structure que forme les rues. L'objectif de cette etude est d'estimer le deplacement d'un vehicule lorsque la configuration de l'environnement s'oppose a sa localisation par un systeme de geo-referencement satellitaire. Une modelisation polyhedrique des rues qui forment l'environnement urbain de cette etude permet de segmenter trois plans principaux : la route et les facades verticales des bâtiments qui delimitent l'espace de navigation. La segmentation du plan de la route est facilitee par la materialisation des voies de navigation et autres trottoirs ou terre-pleins, paralleles entre eux au premier plan, qui sont a l'origine dans les images de contours qui convergent vers un point de fuite dominant. Les conditions d'illumination et la presence d'obstacles dynamiques qui obstruent le champ de vision compliquent la tâche de suivi des plans segmentes. L'emploi d'une paire stereo permet a chaque nouvelle pose de determiner quelles sont les regions des images qui correspondent aux plans segmentes en calculant l'homographie induite par chaque plan entre les deux images de la paire. Le deplacement du vehicule etant suppose plan, ses mouvements d'inclinaison et de lacet influent peu sur chacune des homographies estimees entre les images de la paire stereo. Nous possedons ainsi un outil fiable de segmentation des plans principaux qui forment l'environnement. L'estimation du deplacement entre deux poses de chaque camera consiste a estimer l'homographie induite par le mouvement relatif du plan considere. Le calcul est entrepris grâce a la mise en correspondance des primitives (points, droites) detectees dans les regions planaires segmentees. La precision et la fiabilite des resultats dependent essentiellement de la repartition spatiale des primitives mises en correspondance. L'introduction de la notion de super-homographie permet de robustifier les estimations des homographies en calculant de maniere simultanee toutes les homographies induites par un meme plan, observe dans plusieurs images. La redondance des contraintes imposees par le mouvement relatif des primitives coplanaires mises en correspondance ameliore l'estimation du mouvement de la projection du plan dans les differentes images. L'apport de la super-homographie est double : elle permet de detecter d'eventuelles erreurs de mise en correspondance et fournit une estimee des coordonnees des primitives coplanaires avec une precision sub-pixellique. Lorsque la calibration de la paire stereo est connue, la trajectographie du vehicule peut etre estimee en decomposant l'homographie relative au mouvement d'une des cameras, extraite de la super-homographie.
The impact of an alkasite restorative material on the ph of a streptococcus mutans biofilm and dentin remineralization: an in vitro study

This study investigated the effect of an alkasite material on the pH of�Streptococcus mutans�biofilm and dentin hardness. �S. mutans�biofilms were formed on a resin composite (FZ) and an alkasite (CN) materials and their pH determined after 24 h. Hydroxide, fluoride and calcium ions released from the materials were determined at 6 h, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d. Fourteen human molar teeth were cut horizontally across the middle third of the crown, bisected mesio-distally into two sections and each section divided into two, yielding four quadrants. Quadrant 1 was a sound dentin control, quadrants 2-4 were chemically demineralized, a cylinder of FZ and CN placed on the surfaces of quadrants 2 and 4, respectively. The microhardness of quadrants 1 and 3 were measured at depths of 20, 40, and 60 ? m from the occlusal surface, and similarly of quadrants 2 and 4 after 30 days. Independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney-U, and repeated-measure-ANOVA tests were used for data analysis.The pH of the biofilm on CN (4.45) was significantly higher(p<0.05) than that on FZ (4.06). The quantity of all ions released from CN was significantly higher than from FZ. �The hardness of demineralized dentin under CN was significantly higher than that of demineralized dentin at all depths, and higher than that of demineralized dentin under FZ at 20 and 40 ? m. In conclusion, CN released hydroxide, fluoride, and calcium ions, which was associated with raising the biofilm pH and the hardness of demineralized dentin. �
Long-range alpha-synchronisation as control 1 signal for BCI: A feasibility study.

11 Shifts in spatial attention are associated with variations in alpha-band ( ⍺ , 8–14 Hz) activity, 12 specifically in inter-hemispheric imbalance. The underlying mechanism is attributed to local 13 ⍺ -synchronisation, which regulates local inhibition of neural excitability, as well as fronto- 14 parietal synchronisation reflecting long-range communication. The direction-specific nature 15 of this neural correlate brings forward its potential as a control signal in brain-computer 16 interfaces (BCI). In the present study we explored whether long-range ⍺ -synchronisation 17 presents lateralised patterns dependent on voluntary attention orienting, and whether these 18 patterns can be picked up at single-trial level to provide a control signal for active BCI. We 19 collected electroencephalography (EEG) data from a cohort of healthy adults (n = 10) while 20 performing a covert visuospatial attention (CVSA) task. The data show lateralised patterns of 21 ⍺ -band phase coupling between frontal and parieto-occipital regions after target presentation, 22 replicating previous findings. This pattern, however, was not evident during the cue-target 23 orienting interval, the ideal time window for BCI. Furthermore, decoding the direction of
The centrality of temperament to the research domain criteria (RDoC): The earliest building blocks of psychopathology

The research domain criteria (RDoC) is an innovative approach designed to explore dimensions of human behavior. The aim of this approach is to move beyond the limits of psychiatric categories in the hope of aligning the identification of psychological health and dysfunction with clinical neuroscience. Despite its contributions to adult psychopathology research, RDoC undervalues ontogenetic development, which circumscribes our understanding of the etiologies, trajectories, and maintaining mechanisms of psychopathology risk. In this paper, we argue that integrating temperament research into the RDoC framework will advance our understanding of the mechanistic origins of psychopathology beginning in infancy. In illustrating this approach, we propose the incorporation of core principles of temperament theories into a new “ life span considerations ” subsection as one option for infusing development into the RDoC matrix. In doing so, researchers and clinicians may ultimately have the tools necessary to support emotional development and reduce a young child ’ s likelihood of psychological dysfunction beginning in the first years of life.
Requirements engineering for model transformation development

Model transformation (MT) is central to model driven engineering. It can be used for a range of purposes, including to improve the quality of models, to refactor models, to migrate or translate models from one representation to another, and to generate code or other artifacts from models. At present, the development of MT is mainly focused on the specification and implementation phases, whereas there is a lack of support in other phases including requirements, analysis, design and testing. In this thesis, we are only interested in the requirements phase of MT development, namely the initial phase of software development life-cycle where the software’s specifications are determined, for which at present there is no systematic requirement engineering (RE) process. In this research study, we aim to systematically find out how MT is being developed. We are particularly interested in understanding how requirements for MT are being identified. A comprehensive systematic literature review together with an interview-based study have been applied in order to address these shortcomings. Moreover, this thesis addresses the lack of a guideline for a systematic RE process in MT by defining a systematic procedural RE process framework for MT development and it identifies criteria for selecting the most appropriate RE techniques. This framework is evaluated and validated through its application on two substantial industrial cases. The first case is an example of model driven development applied to MT development. The second is a financial application involving risk evaluation of multiple financial investments.
A 3‐D Printed PCB Integrated TEM Horn Antenna

This paper presents a very broadband (5–40 GHz) novel three dimension (3‐D) printed Transverse ElectroMagnetic (TEM) horn antenna. It is integrated with a planar Printed Circuit Board and radiates in a perpendicular direction of the Printed Circuit Board. The described antenna provides benefits in terms of cost and size for a two dimensional antenna array. Here the antenna and its corresponding transition to a regular 50 Ω microstrip line through Parallel Plate Waveguide and a 90° bend are presented. Prototypes of back‐to‐back transitions and antenna are fabricated and measured. The antenna has a return loss below −10 dB and a gain of approximately 10 dBi over the targeted frequency range.
On the solving matrix equations by using the spectral representation

‎The purpose of this paper is to solve two types of Lyapunov equations and quadratic matrix equations by using the spectral representation‎. ‎We focus on solving Lyapunov equations $AX+XA^*=C$ and $AX+XA^{T}=-bb^{T}$ for $A‎, ‎X in mathbb{C}^{n times n}$ and $b in mathbb{C} ^{n times s}$ with $s < n$‎, ‎which $X$ is unknown matrix‎. ‎Also‎, ‎we suggest the new method for solving quadratic matrix equations $AX^{2}+BX+C=0$‎, ‎where $A‎, ‎B‎, ‎C‎, ‎X in mathbb{C}^{n times n}$ and $X$ is unknown matrix with similar method‎.
Effects of a Standardized DBT—A Program on Identity Development in Adolescents

Background: Identity diffusion plays a central role in the onset of borderline personality disorders. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a treatment program for adolescents with emotional instability and dysregulation. The interest of this study is to examine the potential effects of a standardized and certified DBT-A therapy program on the identity development of adolescents in an inpatient setting. Methods: A total of 138 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with symptoms of severe emotional instability were assessed before and after a certified and standardized 12-week in-patient DBT-A program targeting emotional regulation with the following standardized instruments: the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA), Scale of the Experience of Emotions (SEE), and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Results: The results indicate a significant change in identity development, emotion regulation, and general symptoms of psychopathology after treatment with DBT-A. Conclusions: In this large sample of adolescents, DBT-A significantly improved identity development and reduced identity diffusion, however, without a treatment-as-usual control group as a limitation. Nevertheless, our results may become clinically relevant for the prevention of chronic impairment in emotionally unstable adolescents.