Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENETIC ANALYSIS FOR MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF EUPHORBIA HELIOSCOPIA

Euphorbia helioscopia is a weed plant that grow in the filed of cop plants and caused yield losses through competition for water, mineral salts and nutrients. It is also grown as medicinal plant to extract various drugs. Prescribed study was conducted to access the genetic variability for morphological traits of Euphorbia helioscopia under four different locations/environmental conditions. It was found that the higher and better performance was predicted under location 4 a compared with other locations. Higher and significant correlation was recorded between fresh weight, leaf area and plant height. Regression analysis predicted that higher contributing traits were fresh inflorescence weight and dry weight. It was suggested from results that the plant population of Euphorbia helioscopia should be controlled to minimize yield losses in crop plants.
Spectrum analysis of plasma produced by pulsed laser ablation of GaAs

Abstract. A time-resolved diagnostic technique was used to investigate the emission spectra from the plasmas produced by 1.06 μm, 10 ns pulsed laser ablation of semiconductor GaAs. The characteristics of the species in plasma produced at different ambient pressure were analyzed. The full width at half maximum of the spectral line was measured and analyzed according to obtained spectra of the excited atoms; several line broadening factors were estimated according to our experimental conditions and the results indicate that the Stark broadening is the main broadening mechanism. Under the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium, the time evolution of electron number density was deduced from the Stark broadening measurements.
Algorithm for x-ray beam hardening and scatter correction in low-dose cone-beam CT: phantom studies

X-ray scatter poses a significant limitation to image quality in cone-beam CT (CBCT), as well as beam hardening, resulting in image artifacts, contrast reduction, and lack of CT number accuracy. Meanwhile the x-ray radiation dose is also non-ignorable. Considerable scatter or beam hardening correction methods have been developed, independently, and rarely combined with low-dose CT reconstruction. In this paper, we combine scatter suppression with beam hardening correction for sparse-view CT reconstruction to improve CT image quality and reduce CT radiation. Firstly, scatter was measured, estimated, and removed using measurement-based methods, assuming that signal in the lead blocker shadow is only attributable to x-ray scatter. Secondly, beam hardening was modeled by estimating an equivalent attenuation coefficient at the effective energy, which was integrated into the forward projector of the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART). Finally, the compressed sensing (CS) iterative reconstruction is carried out for sparse-view CT reconstruction to reduce the CT radiation. Preliminary Monte Carlo simulated experiments indicate that with only about 25% of conventional dose, our method reduces the magnitude of cupping artifact by a factor of 6.1, increases the contrast by a factor of 1.4 and the CNR by a factor of 15. The proposed method could provide good reconstructed image from a few view projections, with effective suppression of artifacts caused by scatter and beam hardening, as well as reducing the radiation dose. With this proposed framework and modeling, it may provide a new way for low-dose CT imaging.
Semantic Similarity of Product and Service Names in Portuguese: An Approach Based on Onto.PT

The problem of conceptual comparison of names plays an important role in the field of natural language processing. In this task, the goal is to choose, among a set of names, which one refers to the same concept or object as a given input name. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for comparing names of products and services in Portuguese that takes account of the semantic information contained in the names. The semantic similarity between two names is calculated using information from Onto.PT, the largest public lexical ontology for the Portuguese language. Experiments were conducted on a dataset composed of 5,000 pairs of names of products and services in Portuguese. Our experimental results show that the algorithm based on Onto.PT is more effective than other well-known algorithms for name comparison, producing the highest recall and precision. Moreover, results also provide interesting insights into the advantages and disadvantages of using Onto.PT for assessing the semantic similarity of names and other kinds of short texts.
Optical Control of a Movable High-Speed Camera for Multiscale PLC-Band Propagation Tracking

In this article, a novel testing method for the observation of the PLC-effect, which is an instability of plastic deformation, is presented. The test system consists of a tensile testing machine, a line-scan camera for the global observation of the specimen and a movable high-speed camera with a large magnification resulting in a local observation with a high spatio-temporal resolution. By processing the data of the line-scan camera it is possible to detect positions of emerging PLC-bands and move the high-speed camera with an optical control in parallel to emerging bands that are propagating through the specimen.
Statistical modelling of ultrasonic sensors in process industries—new prospects for conventional devices

The acoustic impedance of different fluids was indirectly measured by analysing the reverberation of a pulsed ultrasonic transducer showing a design as applied in contemporary process instrumentation. The set of observed fluids comprises air, methanol, ethanol, toluene, water and glycerine, which are substances of extremely different acoustic properties. The fluid impedance was precisely gauged using statistical linear models. The model complexity as well as the required calibration effort was minimized including a priori knowledge about the electrical characteristic of the transducer near resonance. The predictive power of different linear model estimates in terms of ordinary least squares, principal component regression and partial least squares was compared. A compensation method was proposed correcting the impact of temperature variation on analysed data. Additionally measured transit time permits the precise estimation of the density of arbitrary homogeneous fluids of varying temperature using traditional transducer designs. Thereby the functional range of conventional ultrasonic devices in process industries can be extended without the need for constructive modifications.
Characteristics of dynamic assessments of word reading skills and their implications on validity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Dynamic assessments (DAs) of word reading skills (e.g., phonological awareness, decoding) demonstrate predictive validity with word reading outcomes but are characterized by substantial heterogeneity in terms of format, administration method, word, and symbol type used, factors which may affect their validity. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether the validity of DAs of word reading skills is affected by these characteristics. Method: Five electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC and CINAHL), 3 preprint repositories (MedRxiv, PsyArxiv and EdArxiv) and the gray literature were searched between March 2022 and March 2023, to identify studies with participants aged 4-10 that reported a Pearson's correlation coefficient between a DA of word reading and a word reading measure. A random effects meta-analysis and 4 subgroup analyses based on DA format, administration method, word and symbol type were conducted. Results: Thirty-two studies from 30 articles were identified. The overall effect size between DAs of word reading skills and word reading is large. There are no significant differences in mean effect sizes based on format (graduated prompt vs. train-test) or administration method (computer vs. in-person). However, DAs that use nonwords and those that use familiar letters or characters demonstrate significantly stronger correlations with word reading measures, than those that use real words and those that use novel symbols. Conclusions: Outcomes provide preliminary evidence to suggest that DAs of word reading skills that use nonwords and familiar letters in their test items are more strongly associated with later word reading ability than those that use real words or novel symbols. There were no significant differences between DAs administered in-person versus via computer. Results inform development of novel DAs of word reading, and clinical practice when it comes to selecting assessment tools.
Novel Tools for Lassa Virus Surveillance in Peri-domestic Rodents

Background Lassa fever (LF) is a rodent-borne disease endemic to West Africa. In the absence of licensed therapeutics or vaccines, rodent exclusion from living spaces remains the primary method of preventing LF. Zoonotic surveillance of Lassa virus (LASV), the etiologic agent of LF, can assess the burden of LASV in a region and guide public health measures against LF. Methods In this study, we adapted commercially available LASV human diagnostics to assess the prevalence of LASV in peri-domestic rodents in Eastern Sierra Leone. Small mammal trapping was conducted in Kenema district, Sierra Leone between November 2018-July 2019. LASV antigen was detected using a commercially available LASV NP antigen rapid diagnostic test. LASV IgG antibodies against LASV nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP) were tested by adapting a commercially available semi-quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of mouse-related and rat-related species IgG. Findings Of the 373 tested specimens, 74 (20%) tested positive for LASV antigen. 40 (11%) specimens tested positive for LASV NP IgG, while an additional 12 (3%) specimens only tested positive for LASV GP IgG. Simultaneous antigen presence and IgG antibody presence was linked in Mastomys sp. specimens (p < 0.01), but not Rattus sp. specimens (p = 1). Despite the link between antigen presence and IgG antibody presence in Mastomys sp. , the strength of antigen response did not correlate with the strength of IgG response to either GP IgG or NP IgG. Interpretation The tools developed in this study can aid in the generation of valuable public health data for rapid field assessment of LASV burden during outbreak investigations and general LASV surveillance. Funding Funding for this work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Health, Department of Health and Human Services under the following grants: International Collaboration in Infectious Disease Research on Lassa fever and Ebola - ICIDR - U19 AI115589, Consortium for Viral Systems Biology - CViSB - 5U19AI135995, West African Emerging Infectious Disease Research Center - WARN-ID - U01AI151812, West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases: U01AI151801.
Diagnosing and staging epithelial ovarian cancer by serum glycoproteomic profiling

Minimally invasive technologies for early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remain an unmet clinical need. CA-125, a tumor marker secreted into the circulation, is utilized to monitor treatment response and disease relapse in EOC, but has limited utility in accurately triaging patients with pelvic masses of unknown histology. To address this unmet need, we applied a novel blood-based glycoproteomic platform that relies on mass spectrometry coupled to machine learning tools, and identified glycopeptide biomarkers that differentiate between patients with benign pelvic masses and malignant EOC. We then used a subset of these markers to generate a classifier that discriminated between benign pelvic tumors and EOC with sensitivity and specificity of 83.5% and 90.1% in the training set and 86.7 and 86.7% in the testing set, respectively. On subgroup analyses, we noticed that patients with malignant EOC had higher levels of fucosylated markers, primarily of hepatic origin. Furthermore, patients with late-stage EOC (FIGO stage III and IV) had markedly higher levels of tri- and tetra-antennary glycopeptide markers containing fucose. We used these markers to build an independent algorithm that can differentiate between early- and late-stage EOC. Lastly, we detected a similar upregulation of fucosylated glycans and gene expression signatures suggestive of multi-antennary glycans in late-stage EOC tissues. We posit that common mechanisms - possibly driven by cytokines - affect both the tumor glycocalyx and liver-derived glycoproteins. In summary, we generated blood glycoproteomic profiles resemblant of distinct tumor states and identified biomarkers that differentiate between benign and malignant pelvic masses, and/or between early- and late-stage EOC. We also provide mechanistic insights suggesting a direct link between the tumor site and the circulating glycoproteome. These data may inform the development of robust clinical tests to diagnose and stage patients with EOC.
Cost-effectiveness of physical activity programs and services for older adults: a scoping review

Abstract Background Evidence supporting physical activity for older adults is strongly positive. Implementation and scale-up of these interventions need to consider the value for money. This scoping review aimed to assess the volume of (i) systematic review evidence regarding economic evaluations of physical activity interventions, and (ii) of cost utility analysis (CUA) studies (trial- or model-based) of physical activity interventions for older people. Methods We searched five databases (January 2010 to February 2022) for systematic reviews of economic evaluations, and two databases (1976 to February 2022) for CUA studies of physical activity interventions for any population of people aged 60+ years. Results We found 12 potential reviews, two of which were eligible for inclusion. The remaining 10 reviews included eligible individual studies that were included in this review. All individual studies from the 12 reviews (n = 37) investigated the cost-effectiveness of structured exercise and most showed the intervention was more costly but more effective than no intervention. We identified 27 CUA studies: two investigated a physical activity promotion program and the remainder investigated structured exercise. Most interventions (86%) were more costly but more effective, and the remaining were cost-saving compared to no intervention. Conclusions There is a scarcity of reviews investigating the value for money of physical activity interventions for older adults. Most studies investigated structured exercise. Physical activity interventions were generally more effective than no intervention but more costly. As such an intervention could be cost-effective and therefore worthy of wider implementation, but there is a need for more frequent economic evaluation in this field.
Whole exome sequencing and rare variant association study to identify genetic modifiers, KLF1 mutations, and a novel double mutation in Thai patients with hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia

ABSTRACT Objectives Clinical manifestations of patients with Hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia vary from mild to severe phenotypes despite exhibiting the same genotype. Studies have partially identified genetic modifiers. We aimed to study the association between rare variants in protein-coding regions and clinical severity in Thai patients. Methods From April to November 2018, a case–control study was conducted based on clinical information and DNA samples collected from Thai patients with hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia over the age of four years. Cases were patients with severe symptoms, while patients with mild symptoms acted as controls. Whole exome sequencing and rare variant association study were used to analyze the data. Results All 338 unrelated patients were classified into 165 severe and 173 mild cases. Genotypes comprised 81.4% of hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia, 2.7% of homozygous or compound heterozygous beta-thalassemia, and 0.3% of (δβ)0 thalassemia Hb E while 15.7% of samples were not classified as beta-thalassemia. A novel cis heterozygotes of IVS I-7 (A > T) and codon 26 (G > A) was identified. Six genes (COL4A3, DLK1, FAM186A, PZP, THPO, and TRIM51) showed the strongest associations with severity (observed p-values of <0.05; significance lost after correction for multiplicity). Among known modifiers, KLF1 variants were found in four mild patients and one severe patient. Conclusion No rare variants were identified as contributors to the clinical heterogeneity of hemoglobin E/beta-thalassemia. KLF1 mutations are potential genetic modifiers. Studies to identify genetic factors are still important and helpful for predicting severity and developing targeted therapy.
Association of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract Objectives This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at summarizing earlier findings on the association of n-6 PUFAs levels in diets or blood with blood pressure. Methods PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for observational studies. Publications with data on the risk of hypertension, or the correlation between n-6 PUFAs or mean values of serum n-6 PUFAs levels in normotensive and hypertensive were included. Results Twenty-two studies (16 cross-sectional studies, 5 cohorts and one case-control) were eligible. Combining 14 extracted effect sizes showed that higher circulatory/dietary n-6 PUFAs tended to be associated with 10% lower risk of HTN (95% CI: 0.81, 1.00), whereas combining 23 effect sizes illustrated no difference in circulatory/dietary n-6 PUFAs mean levels between normotensive and hypertensive subjects. According to subgroup analysis based on fatty acid types, total n-6 PUFAs (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.97) and linoleic acid (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.82) were inversely related to the risk of HTN. Circulatory/dietary n-6 PUFAs were correlated neither with systolic nor with diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions Higher circulatory/dietary n-6 PUFAs tend to be associated with lower odds of HTN. Particularly, total n-6 PUFAs and linoleic acid were associated with lower risk of HTN.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Pig Gut Lactobacillus amylovorus CICC 6090

Lactobacillus amylovorus has been reported to reduce weight and fat content in humans. To identify and understand the mechanism underlying this process, the complete genome of CICC 6090, which was isolated from pig intestines, was sequenced using PromethION and next-generation sequencing. ABSTRACT Lactobacillus amylovorus has been reported to reduce weight and fat content in humans. To identify and understand the mechanism underlying this process, the complete genome of CICC 6090, which was isolated from pig intestines, was sequenced using PromethION and next-generation sequencing.
Prevalence of neurodevelopmental delays in infants with perinatal HIV infection in comparison with HIV exposure in rural South Africa

Background: Assessing neurodevelopmental functioning in early infancy is essential as this is a critical period for infant development. Infants born to mothers with HIV are at a greater risk of developmental delays than those born to mothers without HIV. In this study, we analyzed differences in early neurodevelopmental functioning for infants with HIV exposure versus HIV infection to inform infant screening and early intervention. Methods: Participants were recruited from community health centers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Prenatally, mothers completed baseline demographic assessment at 8 to 24-week gestation periods. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener (BINS) 12 months postnatally. Five areas of development were assessed: cognition, receptive communication, expressive communication, fine motor ability, and gross motor ability. Findings: Postnatal infant assessment using the BINS revealed that infants were at risk for neurodevelopmental delays across all domains assessed. Notably, infants exposed to HIV, regardless of HIV status, were ‘at emerging risk’ or ‘at clear risk’ for cognitive (43.5%), receptive communication (38.2%), expressive communication (53.1%), fine motor (49.9%), and gross motor delays (55.6%). Differences were noted by HIV status in the cognition domain, such that HIV-exposed infants were more likely to be at emerging or clear risk than HIV-infected infants. There was a different trend with gross motor delays, such that HIV-infected infants were at a greater risk for motor delays than HIV-exposed, uninfected infants. Conclusion: Screening tools for this vulnerable population provide valuable early life assessment to determine infant needs for intervention and treatment planning. Such interventions may mitigate the impact of HIV status on neurodevelopmental health generally and cognition.
ANKLE KINEMATICS DURING FORWARD HOCKEY SKATING: ACCELERATION TO CONSTANT VELOCITY

Kinematic measures of the foot and ankle are of relevance to footwear manufacturers and to rehabilitative professionals. Difficulties undertaking such measurements have been summarized previously (Milani & Hennig, 2000). This paper presents the kinematic profile of the ankle in both sagittal (plantar dorsi) and frontal (inversion eversion) planes. Penny & Giles electrogoniometers (Blackwood, UK / Biometrics Ltd.) collected data from 5 elite subjects at 1000 Hz. Similar kinematic profiles were observed between 3 accelerating strides and constant velocity strides. Despite the absence of significant differences between strides there was a trend for increased range of motion at the ankle as the skaters accelerated to a high velocity.
The applications of animal models in phage therapy: An update

ABSTRACT The rapid increase in antibiotic resistance presents a dire situation necessitating the need for alternative therapeutic agents. Among the current alternative therapies, phage therapy (PT) is promising. This review extensively summarizes preclinical PT approaches in various in-vivo models. PT has been evaluated in several recent clinical trials. However, there are still several unanswered concerns due to a lack of appropriate regulation and pharmacokinetic data regarding the application of phages in human therapeutic procedures. In this review, we also presented the current state of PT and considered how animal models can be used to adapt these therapies for humans. The development of realistic solutions to circumvent these constraints is critical for advancing this technology.
Mitochondrial function declines with age within individuals but is not linked to the pattern of growth or mortality risk in zebra finch

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a highly conserved hallmark of ageing. However, most of the studies in both model and non‐model organisms are cross‐sectional in design; therefore, little is known, at the individual level, on how mitochondrial function changes with age, its link to early developmental conditions or its relationship with survival. Here we manipulated the postnatal growth in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) via dietary modification that induced accelerated growth without changing adult body size. In the same individuals, we examined blood cells mitochondrial functioning (mainly erythrocytes) when they were young (ca. 36 weeks) and again in mid‐aged (ca. 91 weeks) adulthood. Mitochondrial function was strongly influenced by age but not by postnatal growth conditions. Across all groups, within individual ROUTINE respiration, OXPHOS and OXPHOS coupling efficiency significantly declined with age, while LEAK respiration increased. However, we found no link between mitochondrial function and the probability of survival into relatively old age (ca. 4 years). Our results suggest that the association between accelerated growth and reduced longevity, evident in this as in other species, is not attributable to age‐related changes in any of the measured mitochondrial function traits.