Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotyping the autonomic nervous system in pregnancy using remote sensors: potential for complication prediction

Objectives: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a central role in dynamic adaptation during pregnancy in accordance with the pregnancy demands which otherwise can lead to various pregnancy complications. Despite the importance of understanding the ANS function during pregnancy, the literature lacks sufficiency in the ANS assessment. In this study, we aimed to identify the heart rate variability (HRV) function during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and 1 week after childbirth and its relevant predictors in healthy pregnant Latina individuals in Orange County, CA. Materials and methods: N = 16 participants were enrolled into the study from which N = 14 (N = 13 healthy and n = 1 complicated) participants proceeded to the analysis phase. For the analysis, we conducted supervised machine learning modeling including the hierarchical linear model to understand the association between time and HRV and random forest regression to investigate the factors that may affect HRV during pregnancy. A t-test was used for exploratory analysis to compare the complicated case with healthy pregnancies. Results: The results of hierarchical linear model analysis showed a significant positive relationship between time (day) and average HRV (estimated effect = 0.06; p < 0.0001), regardless of being healthy or complicated, indicating that HRV increases during pregnancy significantly. Random forest regression results identified some lifestyle and sociodemographic factors such as activity, sleep, diet, and mental stress as important predictors for HRV changes in addition to time. The findings of the t-test indicated that the average weekly HRV of healthy and non-healthy subjects differed significantly (p < 0.05) during the 17 weeks of the study. Conclusion: It is imperative to focus our attention on potential autonomic changes, particularly the possibility of increased parasympathetic activity as pregnancy advances. This observation may challenge the existing literature that often suggests a decline in parasympathetic activity toward the end of pregnancy. Moreover, our findings indicated the complexity of HRV prediction, involving various factors beyond the mere passage of time. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this dynamic state, future investigations should delve into the intricate relationship between autonomic activity, considering diverse parasympathetic and sympathetic metrics, and the progression of pregnancy.
Bioecological Study of the Benthic Communities on the Soft Bottom of the Vlora Gulf (Albania)

Abstract Data on the soft bottom benthic communities of the Vlora Gulf along the Albanian coast were collected in the context of the international Centro Internazionale di Scienze del Mare (CISM) project funded by the Apulian region. The present study investigated and mapped the different communities inside the Gulf of Vlora, Albania, which are continuously affected by various natural and anthropogenic sources. Two research cruises were carried out in the Vlora Gulf during May 2007 and January 2008. During the first exploratory survey, the depth and morphology of the soft bottom was identified with a multibeam echo sounder and the Side-Scan–Sonar system; a preliminary map of the biocoenosis was created and a sampling plan was defined. In the second survey, 58 sampling stations were established in the study area using Van Veen grabs and scuba dives. A total of 151 taxa were identified (1 Foraminifera, 6 Cnidaria, 3 Nemertea, 2 Sipuncula, 36 Mollusca, 53 Annelida, 25 Crustacea Decapoda, 7 Bryozoa, 15 Echinodermata, 1 Hemichordata, and 2 Tunicata); 54 species were reported for the first time in Albania. The analyses showed there were three main habitats in the investigated area: the biocoenosis of terrigenous mud; a wide, muddy matte of Posidonia oceanica; and the narrow residual areas of P. oceanica meadows. The present study represents the first experience in mapping the benthic biocoenosis of the Vlora Gulf of Albania and shows a progressive decay of the benthic communities in the area, especially if compared with the previous few studies.
Rapid Ossification Helps Explain Small Body Size in Urspelerpes brucei (Caudata: Plethodontidae)

Urspelerpes brucei (Patch-nosed Salamander) is a miniaturized lungless salamander (family Plethodontidae) native to select headwater tributaries of the Tugaloo River along the border of Georgia and South Carolina. Due to the rarity and relatively recent discovery of this species, many aspects of its biology are unstudied. In particular, there has not yet been any description of its larval skeleton. We provide the first description of larval osteology for U. brucei, and we compared cleared and stained specimens of U. brucei close to the minimum size at metamorphosis to similarly sized specimens of Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined Salamander). Our results showed that the skull and long bones of U. brucei are more heavily ossified at smaller sizes than in E. cirrigera. In addition, U. brucei possesses more robust vomers and pterygoids, coronoids that are already incorporated into the dentary, and an ossified os thyroideum. These discrepancies in ossification suggest that the skeletons of U. brucei complete development at smaller sizes than E. cirrigera, a result likely tied to heterochronic accelerations of mineralization and sexual maturation in U. brucei. Taken together, these factors appear to help explain how U. brucei has developed and maintained its small body size.
Effects of land use change on soil carbon cycling in the conterminous United States from 1900 to 2050

We developed matrices representing historical area transitions between forest and other land uses. We projected future transitions on the basis of historical transitions and econometric model results. These matrices were used to drive a model of changes in soil and forest floor carbon stocks. Our model predicted net carbon emission from 1900 until 1982, then sequestration until 2030, with little subsequent change. However, the northeast region showed substantial carbon sequestration from 1900 to the present. From 1990 to 2004, afforestation caused sequestration averaging 17 Tg C yr−1: 6 Tg C yr−1 in soil and 11 Tg C yr−1 in forest floor. Deforestation caused emission averaging 12 Tg C yr−1: 3 Tg C yr−1 from soil and 9 Tg C yr−1 from forest floor. However, these effects were only 5% of the total change in carbon stocks in all forestland.
Assessment of the gamma and neutron dose field around the closed-water activation loop at the JSI TRIGA reactor

A closed-water activation loop is being built at the Jožef Stefan Institute TRIGA reactor in Slovenia to serve as a well-defined and stable source of high-energy gamma rays and neutrons. The radial piercing port, which penetrates the graphite reflector and touching the reactor core was chosen for the installation of the closed-water loop due to the high neutron flux and favourable shielding conditions of the surrounding concrete bioshield. The main objective of this work is to assess the neutron and gamma dose field outside the port to obtain important details for the final design of the inner part of the irradiation facility and to assess the background noise for the detectors. The main part of the work consists of the design of the shielding plugs and the construction of a detailed MCNP model of the whole irradiation facility. The dose field calculations were performed with a two-step hybrid transport approach using ADVANTG for variance reduction and MCNP for particle transport. Such deep penetration and shielding calculations are challenging and computationally intensive. The results showed that the dose rate using shielding plugs is more than 7 orders of magnitude lower compared to an empty open port. To reduce the computational uncertainty, further optimisation of the ADVANTG input is essential. The final design of the shielding plugs is described. Additional lead shielding blocks will be added outside the port afterwards if needed.
Mutation of self-binding sites in the promoter of the MrpC transcriptional regulator leads to asynchronous Myxococcus xanthus development

Introduction MrpC, a member of the CRP/Fnr transcription factor superfamily, is necessary to induce and control the multicellular developmental program of the bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus. During development, certain cells in the population first swarm into haystack-shaped aggregates and then differentiate into environmentally resistant spores to form mature fruiting bodies (a specialized biofilm). mrpC transcriptional regulation is controlled by negative autoregulation (NAR). Methods Wild type and mutant mrpC promoter regions were fused to a fluorescent reporter to examine effects on mrpC expression in the population and in single cells in situ. Phenotypic consequences of the mutant mrpC promoter were assayed by deep convolution neural network analysis of developmental movies, sporulation efficiency assays, and anti-MrpC immunoblot. In situ analysis of single cell MrpC levels in distinct populations were assayed with an MrpC-mNeonGreen reporter. Results Disruption of MrpC binding sites within the mrpC promoter region led to increased and broadened distribution of mrpC expression levels between individual cells in the population. Expression of mrpC from the mutant promoter led to a striking phenotype in which cells lose synchronized transition from aggregation to sporulation. Instead, some cells abruptly exit aggregation centers and remain locked in a cohesive swarming state we termed developmental swarms, while the remaining cells transition to spores inside residual fruiting bodies. In situ examination of a fluorescent reporter for MrpC levels in developmental subpopulations demonstrated cells locked in the developmental swarms contained MrpC levels that do not reach the levels observed in fruiting bodies. Discussion Increased cell-to-cell variation in mrpC expression upon disruption of MrpC binding sites within its promoter is consistent with NAR motifs functioning to reducing noise. Noise reduction may be key to synchronized transition of cells in the aggregation state to the sporulation state. We hypothesize a novel subpopulation of cells trapped as developmental swarms arise from intermediate levels of MrpC that are sufficient to promote aggregation but insufficient to trigger sporulation. Failure to transition to higher levels of MrpC necessary to induce sporulation may indicate cells in developmental swarms lack an additional positive feedback signal required to boost MrpC levels.
Thematic map comparison: Evaluating the statistical significance of differences in classification accuracy

The accuracy of thematic maps derived by image classification analyses is often compared in remote sensing studies. This comparison is typically achieved by a basic subjective assessment of the observed difference in accuracy but should be undertaken in a statistically rigorous fashion. One approach for the evaluation of the statistical significance of a difference in map accuracy that has been widely used in remote sensing research is based on the comparison of the kappa coefficient of agreement derived for each map. The conventional approach to the comparison of kappa coefficients assumes that the samples used in their calculation are independent, an assumption that is commonly unsatisfied because the same sample of ground data sites is often used for each map. Alternative methods to evaluate the statistical significance of differences in accuracy are available for both related and independent samples. Approaches for map comparison based on the kappa coefficient and proportion of correctly allocated cases, the two most widely used metrics of thematic map accuracy in remote sensing, are discussed. An example illustrates how classifications based on the same sample of ground data sites may be compared rigorously and highlights the importance of distinguishing between one- and two-sided statistical tests in the comparison of classification accuracy statements.
Sonosensitive Cavitation Nuclei—A Customisable Platform Technology for Enhanced Therapeutic Delivery

Ultrasound-mediated cavitation shows great promise for improving targeted drug delivery across a range of clinical applications. Cavitation nuclei—sound-sensitive constructs that enhance cavitation activity at lower pressures—have become a powerful adjuvant to ultrasound-based treatments, and more recently emerged as a drug delivery vehicle in their own right. The unique combination of physical, biological, and chemical effects that occur around these structures, as well as their varied compositions and morphologies, make cavitation nuclei an attractive platform for creating delivery systems tuned to particular therapeutics. In this review, we describe the structure and function of cavitation nuclei, approaches to their functionalization and customization, various clinical applications, progress toward real-world translation, and future directions for the field.
A Marked Spatio-Temporal Point Process Model for Forest Fires in Portugal

In Portugal, forest fires are a relevant public policy issue due to the significant economical and social damage they cause. It is very important to understand the patterns of forest fires in Portugal in order to improve the means of surveillance, fire fighting and fire prevention. Forest fires can be seen as a random set of points falling in some space, each point represents the location, time and area burned of each fire. So, forest fires can be regarded as marked spatio-temporal point pattern and the aim of this work is to model the area burned (marks) given the locations of the forest fires (point process) ([3] e [1]). The data set analyzed consist of satellite imagery records of forest fires larger than 35 hectares, ob- served in Portugal during the years 1975 through 2005, acquired annually after the end of the summer fire season. We model the location of forest fires in Portugal by a log-Gaussian Cox process ([4]) and we use this model to model the area burned. By this way we try to show how the point configuration affects the dimension of the fire. We adopt a Bayesian inference framework and use the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) and Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (SPDE) to perform the inference ([5] and [2]). The implementation was made through R-INLA package.
Hominin subsistence and site function of TD10.1 bone bed level at Gran Dolina site (Atapuerca) during the late Acheulean

In a recent paper, Stiner reviewed certain trends in the Middle Palaeolithic (MP) economy and social behaviour, including most notably galvanization of the prime‐age ungulate hunting niche, and the intensification of occupations in the form of domestic–residential camps. However, the emergence of these trends is blurred when we observe the European archaeological record before Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 7. Our aim in this paper is to test the validity of some key arguments related to subsistence and occupation to assess the Lower Palaeolithic roots of these MP trends, using the faunal record of the TD10.1 bone bed level (ca. 300 ka) at Gran Dolina (Atapuerca). The taphonomic results from this level indicate an assemblage composed almost exclusively of prime‐age ungulates. Anthropogenic marks are very abundant, reflecting a wide variety of domestic activities. Early primary access to the carcasses by hominins, indicated by the taxonomic and mortality patterns, suggests the procurement of animal carcasses by regular hunting. Red deer, accompanied in lower proportions by other prey species, reinforce the selective character of the hominin subsistence strategies at the Gran Dolina TD10.1 bone bed, expanding temporally and geographically our documentation of the MP hominin predatory niche. Taphonomy, together with other results from technology and archaeo‐stratigraphy, suggest that the bone bed accumulation reflects long‐term hominin use of the site as a residential base camp, suggesting deep roots for the observed MP subsistence and occupational patterns.
Best practices for continuous monitoring of temperature and flow in wadeable streams

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is working with its regional offices, states, tribes, river basin commissions and other entities to establish Regional Monitoring Networks (RMNs) for freshwater wadeable streams. To the extent possible, uninterrupted, biological, temperature and hydrologic data will be collected on an ongoing basis at RMN sites, which are primarily located on smaller, minimally disturbed forested streams. The primary purpose of this document is to provide guidance on how to collect accurate, year-round temperature and hydrologic data at ungaged wadeable stream sites. It addresses questions related to equipment needs, sensor configuration, sensor placement, installation techniques, data retrieval, and data processing. This guidance is intended to increase comparability of continuous temperature and hydrologic data collection at RMN sites and to ensure that the data are of sufficient quality to be used in future analyses. It also addresses challenges posed by year-round deployments. These data will be used for detecting temporal trends; providing information that will allow for a better understanding of relationships between biological, thermal, and hydrologic data; predicting and analyzing climate change impacts and quantifying natural variability.
The protective role of vitamins C and E in steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis: An experimental study in rats

Objectives This study aimed to determine whether vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) can effectively protect the femoral head and reduce the risk of developing osteonecrosis in rats that have been treated with steroids. Materials and methods The study was conducted on 30 young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (mean weight: 356±18 g; range, 330 to 375 g), which were randomly assigned to one of five groups. The control group received saline solution, while the other groups were given lipopolysaccharide/methylprednisolone (LPS/MPS) to induce osteonecrosis. Three groups in which osteonecrosis was induced were also intraperitoneally administered either VC, VE, or both once a day for four weeks. Intracardiac blood samples were taken at the end of the fourth week for biochemical examination, and the rats were then sacrificed under general anesthesia. After sacrification, right femurs were removed for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and radiologic examinations. Results The results showed that the mean trabecular number increased significantly in the VC+VE group. There was a substantial decrease observed in the mean trabecular separation within the LPS/MPS group compared to the control group, although trabecular separation decreased in all three vitamin groups compared to the LPS/MPS group. The surface area/bone volume was significantly increased in the VC+VE group compared to the LPS/MPS group. Histological, immunohistochemical, and radiological examinations showed that the administration of VC and VE significantly reduced oxidative stress, inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction in rats with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis. Conclusion This study suggests that VC, VE, and particularly VC+VE have a protective effect on the femoral head in rats with steroid-induced femoral head osteonecrosis. These findings may lead to new treatment options for patients.
Comparing Automated Machine Learning Against an Off-the-Shelf Pattern-Based Classifier in a Class Imbalance Problem: Predicting University Dropout

When facing a classification problem, data science practitioners must search through an armory of methods. Often, practitioners are tempted to use off-the-shelf classifiers, including automated Machine Learning (AutoML) toolboxes; however, stand-alone classifiers are not applicable to every problem and AutoML may be time-consuming raising up environment-ethical issues. To magnify the problem, (commercial) AutoML toolboxes are black and practitioners are not allowed to extend them with new methods to improve their classification performance. Our main objective is to show that an off-the-shelf classifier designed for class imbalance problems can achieve similar performance to an AutoML toolbox. To do so, first, we present the student dropout prediction case study, which most off-the-shelf classifiers find difficult to solve due to the problem’s inherent class imbalance. We show that Microsoft Azure AutoML outperforms several popular, stand-alone classifiers. However, multivariate PBC4cip, an off-the-shelf classifier especially designed to deal with class imbalance, yields results that are just as good as Microsoft Azure AutoML, with the advantage that the expensive steps of mechanism selection and tuning are avoided. Our studies show that data science practitioners need to build themselves a taxonomy of classification mechanisms in terms of the properties of the problem to solve. Additionally, AutoML platforms should let scientists modify the armory of classifiers and provide an explanation of both mechanism selection and mechanism tunning so that practitioners learn further lessons.
Evaluation of the energy calibration of diamond detectors for fast neutrons applications

The radiation hardness, the chemical resistance, and the capabilities to operate at high temperature conditions make diamond detectors a good option for carrying out fast neutron measurements on fusion plasma experiments or facilities using accelerator-driven neutron sources. A correct energy calibration of pulse-height spectra acquired through diamond detectors allows to perform fast neutron spectrometry. As a general rule, energy calibration of diamond detectors is performed using an alpha source, e.g. 239Pu, 241Am, 244Cm, whose characteristic emission energies are in the range from 5 to 6 MeV. Calibration at higher energies, such as those related to charged particles (about 8.4 MeV) produced by the 12C(n,alpha)9Be induced by fast neutrons coming from D-T fusion reaction, is traditionally extrapolated with the hypothesis of linearity for the energy calibration curve. In this work an evaluation of the diamond detector energy calibration based on alpha source emissions is performed at higher energies by means of a compact D-T neutron generator, able to produce neutrons within a broad energy range, by changing the accelerator voltage and the neutron emission angle. A relative deviation less than 2% between experimental and theoretical energies was observed, showing that the energy calibration through alpha sources could be still valid for fast neutrons coming from D-T fusion reactions.
The relationship between weight-adjusted-waist index and total bone mineral density in adults aged 20-59

Introduction According to reports, obesity has a significant impact on bone health. And the weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), superior to BMI and waist circumference (WC), is a new obesity indicator arising in recent years. This research investigated the relationship between WWI and total bone mineral density (BMD) for adults aged 20 to 59. Methods Using data from the 2011–2018 NHANES, we looked into the independent link between WWI and total BMD as well as its nonlinearity using weighted multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting. Two-stage linear regression models were employed to calculate the threshold effects. There were additional subgroup analyses and testing for interactions. Results Multiple linear regression studies on a total of 10,372 individuals showed a significant inverse link between WWI and total BMD in adults between 20 and 59 [β = -0.04, 95% CI: (-0.04, -0.03), P<0.0001]. And smoking, race, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) had no significant effect on this negative connection (P for interaction >0.05). In addition, we found a nonlinear relationship between WWI and total BMD in diabetic and CKD patients, for which the saturation point was 11.38 cm/√kg in the CKD patient group and 10.29 cm/√kg in the diabetic patient group. Conclusion Our analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between WWI and total BMD in adults aged 20-59.