Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and feasibility of a digital speech therapy for post-stroke dysarthria: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder caused by various neurological diseases, particularly stroke. Individuals with post-stroke dysarthria experience impaired speech intelligibility, communication difficulties, and a reduced quality of life. However, studies on the treatment of post-stroke dysarthria are lacking. Digital speech therapy applications have the advantages of being personalized and easily accessible. However, evidence for their efficacy is not rigorous. Moreover, no studies have investigated both the acute to subacute, and chronic phases of stroke. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of digital speech therapy applications in addressing these gaps in dysarthria treatment. Methods and design This study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, evaluator-blinded non-inferiority trial. We aim to recruit 76 participants with post-stroke dysarthria. Eligible participants will be stratified based on the onset period of stroke into acute to subacute, and chronic phases. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 to receive either a personalized digital speech therapy application or conventional therapy with a workbook for 60 min daily, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the improvement in speech intelligibility. This will be measured by how accurately independent listeners can transcribe passages read by the participants. Secondary outcomes, which include speech function, will be evaluated remotely by speech-language pathologists. This includes the maximum phonation time, oral diadochokinetic rate, and percentage of consonants correct. Participants’ psychological well-being will also be assessed using self-report questionnaires, such as depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and quality of life (Quality of Life in the Dysarthric Speaker scale). The trial will also assess the feasibility, participant adherence, and usability of the application. Rigorous data collection and monitoring will be implemented to ensure patient safety. Conclusion This trial aims to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of digital speech therapy applications for treating post-stroke dysarthria. The results could establish foundational evidence for future clinical trials with larger sample sizes. Clinical trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT05865106.
An Empirical Analysis of Climate Uncertainty and Land-use Transitions in the U.S. Pacific and Mountain Regions

This paper uses most recent plot-level data from the National Resource Inventory (NRI) over the period 2002 to 2012. Using these data with county-level land-use net returns, we first examine the land-use transitions among crop, pasture, range, forest, urban and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and find that land-use net returns are the main determinants from land-use transitions and land with low soil quality is more likely to be used for low-productive land activities, such as grazing. Second, we predict land-use changes under future climate projections using projected land-use net returns from hedonic regressions for crop, pasture, range, forest and urban. Our estimation results of the land-use model are consistent to economic theory as well as to previous literature that we have positive coefficients on crop and urban land use net returns and negative coefficients on the transition costs. We also find that crop and pasture land use net returns increase as the mean precipitation increase and pastureland net return is reduced if growing season degree-days are increased, suggesting the substation effects between crop and pasture land use when the temperature is optimal for plant growing. When predict into the future, we find the expansion of urban land with expenses of crop and CRP land.
Exploiting SWIPT for Coordinated-NOMA Systems Under Nakagami-m Fading

In this paper, we consider and analyze the performance of exploiting simultaneously wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) for coordinated-non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems under Nakagami- ${m}$ fading channels. Specifically, to deal with limited energy issues at the relay unit while taking into reusing resource efficiency, we propose to use SWIPT-based power splitting mechanisms in conjunction with NOMA approaches by means of proposing two separate scenarios, the first focus is on forward-based device-to-device (D2D) transmissions, called SWIPT-NOMA-D2D, and the second focus is on forwarding signal only, called SWIPT-NOMA-noD2D. Evaluating case by case, we derive exact and approximate closed-form expressions for the outage probabilities of cell-center and cell-edge users, respectively. Besides, we also obtain an exact closed-form solution for the ergodic rate of message transmission, which enables us to effectively characterize the system spectrum utilization. The correctness of our analyses and the tightness of the approximation developed are validated through Monte Carlo simulations and numerical techniques. Finally, we show that the two proposed schemes achieve the near ergodic sum rate in two cases of unconstrained power designs at the relay unit and their effectiveness in improving the outage performance of centre-cell users.
Antioxidant and anticancer activities of endophytic-crude fraction of Sadabahar [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don] in rats

An attempt has been made to isolate, identify and screen the endophytic crude fractions of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don) leaves for antioxidant activity and also for 1, 2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induced colon cancer. Endophytic fungi from Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don leaves were isolated and cultured aseptically in PDA media. The developed fungus cultures were fermented in potato dextrose broth and fractionated using chloroform. Isolated fungus was identified from Mucur Sp. in preliminary identification method. Chroloform extract-1 of Mucor sp. (CEM-1) was subjected to free radical scavenging activities against 2, 2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl free radicals and reducing power assay. The fraction was further assessed against DMH induced colon cancer in rats. DMH was induced subcutaneous route twice a week for 2 weeks with 40mg /kg body weight. The crude fractions were administered to the rats five times a week for four weeks by gavages at doses of 100mg/kg and 150mg/kg body weight/day each, during and after DMH treatment. All animals were sacrificed in week 5 for the evaluation of ACF. The colons were dissected out for histopathological study to find out aberrant crypt foci (ACF) % inhibition. Fraction was found to be potential free radical scavenger with IC50 values of 104. 07μg/ml & 341. 13μg/ml for DPPH and hydroxyl radical respectively. It also shows increasing order reducing power activity with significantly % inhibition in ACF. Therefore these data support the claim that endophytes are an alternative source for novel secondary metabolites.
Praxes of “The Human” and “The Digital”: Spatial Humanities and the Digitization of Place

The spatial humanities have evolved much in the last ten years or so, and much of this evolution has been driven by project and problem-based geographic information systems (GIS) applications. It is argued here that the field lacks a theoretical framework analogous to critical GIS in human geography. I argue that, just as critical GIS drew on the intellectual hinterlands of human and hybrid geography, so must the spatial humanities draw on the intellectual hinterlands of how humanities discourse has always formed and transmitted concepts of place. Rhetoric, and especially the rhetorical devices of ekphrasis, are given as an example of this; a project co-led by the author, the Heritage Gazetteer of Cyprus, is given as an example of how the digitization of (humanistic) place has been operationalized.
The relationship between the Guinea Highlands and the West African offshore rainfall maximum

Satellite rainfall estimates reveal a consistent rainfall maximum off the West African coast during the monsoon season. An analysis of 16 years of rainfall in the monsoon season is conducted to explore the drivers of such copious amounts of rainfall. Composites of daily rainfall and midlevel meridional winds centered on the days with maximum rainfall show that the day with the heaviest rainfall follows the strongest midlevel northerlies but coincides with peak low‐level moisture convergence. Rain type composites show that convective rain dominates the study region. The dominant contribution to the offshore rainfall maximum is convective development driven by the enhancement of upslope winds near the Guinea Highlands. The enhancement in the upslope flow is closely related to African easterly waves propagating off the continent that generate low‐level cyclonic vorticity and convergence. Numerical simulations reproduce the observed rainfall maximum and indicate that it weakens if the African topography is reduced.
Should the existing science of teams be applied to fluid teams? An exploration of fluid team effectiveness within the context of healthcare simulation

Introduction Fluid teams have become increasingly prevalent and necessary for modern-day issues, yet they differ from more traditional teams, on which much of the current teams literature is based. For example, fluid teams are often comprised of members from different disciplines or organizational divisions who do not have a shared history or future, as they come together to perform a critical, time-sensitive task, and then disband. For these reasons, the mechanisms through which they function and perform may differ from those of more traditional teams, and research is needed to better understand these differences. Methods To this end, this study utilized critical incident techniques and thematic analysis to examine fluid teams within healthcare, one of the primary contexts in which they are prevalent. Interdisciplinary faculty and students in the medical field who encounter fluid teams within simulation-based education were prompted to reflect on key factors that facilitate or hinder fluid team effectiveness. Results Primary themes extracted pertained to the conditions fluid teams operate within (e.g., high-stress), the behaviors and emergent states that contribute to their success (e.g., communication), and the KSAO’s of value for members of fluid teams to possess (e.g., readiness). These themes were then compared to existing literature, yielding the identification of some similarities but also many important differences between fluid and traditional teams. Discussion A series of practical recommendations for how to promote fluid team effectiveness is then presented.
Drug Repositioning of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Co-Target Gene Expression Signature of Glucocorticoid Receptor and TET2

Simple Summary Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), impacts millions globally and is characterized by complex immune responses. This research aimed to unravel the collaborative roles of two critical protein factors in immune regulation within IBD. Through extensive analysis of public datasets, we identified specific gene signatures associated with these factors in IBD. Subsequent drug repositioning efforts and the utilization of cellular models led to the identification of BMS-536924 as a promising anti-inflammatory agent. This investigation has enriched our understanding of IBD’s pathogenesis and suggests novel therapeutic approaches to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by these inflammatory conditions. Abstract The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2), respectively, play a crucial role in regulating immunity and inflammation, and GR interacts with TET2. However, their synergetic roles in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the co-target gene signatures of GR and TET2 in IBD and provide potential therapeutic interventions for IBD. By integrating public data, we identified 179 GR- and TET2-targeted differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CD and 401 in UC. These genes were found to be closely associated with immunometabolism, inflammatory responses, and cell stress pathways. In vitro inflammatory cellular models were constructed using LPS-treated HT29 and HCT116 cells, respectively. Drug repositioning based on the co-target gene signatures of GR and TET2 derived from transcriptomic data of UC, CD, and the in vitro model was performed using the Connectivity Map (CMap). BMS-536924 emerged as a top therapeutic candidate, and its validation experiment within the in vitro inflammatory model confirmed its efficacy in mitigating the LPS-induced inflammatory response. This study sheds light on the pathogenesis of IBD from a new perspective and may accelerate the development of novel therapeutic agents for inflammatory diseases including IBD.
Stable Isotope Investigations of Two Components of the Cryosphere: Snow and Icicle Formation

Icicles are elongate structures formed when water flows over an overhang and crystallizes in sub-freezing conditions. While a widely accepted theoretical model describes their formation, experimental evidence is primarily based on simulated or laboratory based studies. First studies dealing with stable isotope measurements of icicles that were sampled from a natural setting and melted stepwise into fractions are reported. The H values are presented here as support for the laboratory based studies that suggest the rapid freezing of icicles. Icicles exhibit minimal to no fraction-to-fraction isotope
Predicting Douglas-fir's response to a warming climate

Douglas-fir is an iconic tree in the Pacific Northwest. Although individual trees may appear to be identical, genetic differences within each tree have resulted from adaptation to the local environment. These genetic differences over time have resulted in differences among populations that are important to the species' survival and growth in changing climates. Current climate models project that over the next 50 years, the Pacific Northwest will experience an increase in summer temperatures. Combined with less winter snowpack, warmer summer temperatures will likely lead to more frequent and intense droughts, and it is unknown how Douglas-fir will respond. Researchers with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station tested how seedlings from different populations of Douglas-fir would grow in temperature and precipitation conditions unlike the climate of their current seed source. By sampling 35 populations in three common garden sites, researchers determined how a combination of genetic factors and environmental conditions influence drought-tolerant traits. Trees grown in a warm, dry environment had lower rates of water loss compared to seedlings grown in cooler environments. Furthermore, researchers identified populations that had high drought tolerance and relatively fast growth. This means that although Douglas-fir as a species is relatively drought tolerant, some populations are better adapted to future climate conditions than others.
Reforestation in a high‐CO2 world—Higher mitigation potential than expected, lower adaptation potential than hoped for

We assess the potential and possible consequences for the global climate of a strong reforestation scenario for this century. We perform model experiments using the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI‐ESM), forced by fossil‐fuel CO2 emissions according to the high‐emission scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5, but using land use transitions according to RCP4.5, which assumes strong reforestation. Thereby, we isolate the land use change effects of the RCPs from those of other anthropogenic forcings. We find that by 2100 atmospheric CO2 is reduced by 85 ppm in the reforestation model experiment compared to the reference RCP8.5 model experiment. This reduction is higher than previous estimates and is due to increased forest cover in combination with climate and CO2 feedbacks. We find that reforestation leads to global annual mean temperatures being lower by 0.27 K in 2100. We find large annual mean warming reductions in sparsely populated areas, whereas reductions in temperature extremes are also large in densely populated areas.
Validation of Post-Harvest Wash Process to Prevent Cross-Contamination in Leafy Green Processing

VALIDATION OF POST-HARVEST WASH PROCESS TO PREVENT CROSSCONTAMINATION IN LEAFY GREEN PROCESSING Huda Aldossari University of Guelph, 2016 Advisors: Dr. Keith Warriner and Dr. Gopinadhan Paliyath There is a reliance on the post-harvest wash in leafy green processing to remove fieldacquired contamination. However, the post-harvest wash is limited in its ability to remove common human pathogens (Salmonella, Shiga Toxin Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes) from fresh produce. Additionally, cross-contamination events during the washing process can threaten food safety. The following study evaluated the efficacy of a range of sanitizers (sodium hypochlorite 200-ppm total chlorine, chlorine dioxide50 ppm, peracetic acid70 ppm, and Food Freshly 50-500 to prevent cross-contamination during leafy green wash process. From the range of sanitizers tested it was found that peracetic acid or chlorine dioxide reduced cross-contamination between batches with Hypochlorite being effective if free chlorine levels were maintained above 2ppm. In commercial trials it was found that Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) was an unreliable reporter of free-chlorine concentration given that the applied concentration of the sanitizer was below the chlorine-demand of the wash water. Yet, crosscontamination of contamination between batches could be reduced if the chlorine demand was satisfied or reactive species in water were maintained at a low level.
Breaking barriers: The effect of protected characteristics and their intersectionality on career transition in academics

In the past decade the scientific community has been trying to tackle the historical underrepresentation of women in science and the fact that gender can constitute a barrier to career success. However, other characteristics, such as being of an ethnic minority or coming from an under-privileged background, have received less attention. In this study we find that ethnicity and socioeconomic status impact detrimentally on career progression in early career scientists, despite the fact that gender is more likely to be reported as a barrier. Our data suggest we need to widen the discussion regarding diversity and equality in science to incorporate potential barriers to career success in addition to gender. Abstract The academic disciplines of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) have long suffered from a lack of diversity. While in recent years there has been some progress in addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM subjects, other protected characteristics have received less attention. In this study, we survey early career scientists in the fields of ecology, evolutionary biology, behaviour, and related disciplines. We (i) quantitatively examine the effect of protected characteristics and their intersectionality on career transition, and (ii) provide practical suggestions, based on the qualitative responses of those surveyed, for overcoming some of the barriers we identified. We found that socioeconomic background and ethnicity impacted negatively on the quantitative measures of career progression we examined. Respondents that were female, LGBT, and from a lower socioeconomic background were more likely to report having faced a barrier, and the most frequent barrier named was related to gender. Our results suggest that respondents may have felt more confident discussing the experiences they have had related to their gender, potentially because there is now widespread discourse on this subject. However, respondents were less likely to discuss barriers they have faced in relation to ethnicity and socioeconomic status, despite the fact that the data indicates these are more detrimental to career progression. This may reflect the fact that these characteristics have received less attention, and are therefore deemed more sensitive. We hope that this study will stimulate wider discussion, and help to inform strategies to address the underrepresentation of minority groups in STEM subjects.
Investigation of Hybrid Electrodes of Polyaniline and Reduced Graphene Oxide with Bio-Waste-Derived Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications

Graphene-based materials have been widely studied in the field of supercapacitors. However, their electrochemical properties and applications are still restricted by the susceptibility of graphene-based materials to curling and agglomeration during production. This study introduces a facile method for synthesizing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets and activated carbon based on olive stones (OS) with polyaniline (PAni) surface decoration for the development of supercapacitors. Several advanced techniques were used to examine the structural properties of the samples. The obtained PAni@OS−rGO (1:1) electrode exhibits a high electrochemical capacity of 582.6 F·g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A·g−1, and an energy density of 26.82 Wh·kg−1; thus, it demonstrates potential for efficacious energy storage. In addition, this electrode material exhibits remarkable cycling stability, retaining over 90.07% capacitance loss after 3000 cycles, indicating a promising long cycle life. Overall, this research highlights the potential of biomass-derived OS in the presence of PAni and rGO to advance the development of high-performance supercapacitors.
Detection of antibodies against Lumpy skin disease virus by Virus neutralization test and ELISA methods

Abstract Infection of cattle with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is very important from the aspect of livestock production. Although it can cause significant economic losses, available serological assays are still not sufficiently efficient and reliable. A 3-day VNT was performed using Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line and LSDV isolated from clinically infected cow to improve serological diagnostics of lumpy skin disease (LSD). In total, 325 cattle sera samples were tested in order to compare the performances of VNT and ELISA. Tested samples originated from 125 cows before the occurrence of LSD in the Republic of Serbia and 200 tested samples originated from vaccinated cows. Sera samples from vaccinated cows were collected starting from the vaccination day to 4 months after vaccination. In 7 different time intervals after vaccination sampling was carried out in 20 cows originating from one herd and in 3 different time intervals in 20 cows originating from a different herd each time of sampling. Out of 200 samples from vaccinated cows, antibodies against LSDV were detected in 68 (34%) samples by VNT, and in 60 (30%) samples by ELISA. No positive finding was detected by VNT in samples collected before the occurrence of LSD in Serbia, while one positive finding was detected in the same samples by ELISA. The first presence of antibodies in vaccinated cattle was detected by both tests 20 days after vaccination, and the largest number of animals with antibodies against LSDV was detected 30 days after vaccination. Comparing the results obtained by VNT and ELISA, it was calculated that kappa index was 0.913. The specificity of VNT and ELISA was 100% and 99.2%, respectively. VNT is simpler to perform compared to the recommended virus neutralization test by the OIE and can improve LSD serological diagnostics with additional sensitivity testing.