Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote sensing object-oriented approaches coupled with ecological informatics to map invasive plant species

nvasive alien plants are considered one of the major threats to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Hence, understanding their distribution and abundance is important in order to assess the impact on native ecosystems. It is particularly important to be able to track the spread of invasive species across landscapes; a task best achieved using remotely sensed imagery. The availability of high resolution data, combined with efficient classification methods, can potentially improve early detection of invasive alien species thereby enhancing their management. This study aims to classify woody species with a focus on Melia azedarach (Meliaceae) trees in a moderately invaded coastal belt valley on the east coast of South Africa using WorldView-2 (WV-2) satellite imagery, and to compare the commonly used pixel-based classification with object-oriented approaches. The results show that object-oriented approaches are more suitable for classifying woody species, as well as other land cover classes when using high-resolution WV-2 imagery. The overall accuracy was 90% by object- oriented classification, while the pixel-based classification gave an overall accuracy of 78%. For Melia, a producer accuracy of 92% and user accuracy of 91% was obtained by object-oriented classification and a producer accuracy of 85% and user accuracy of 83% was obtained by pixel-based classification. Hence the combined use of new generation sensor imagery and the employment of object-oriented image classification techniques provided more accurate information on Melia invasion in the study area. This is an encouraging result given the high degree of intermingling of Melia with other plants at the study site. In particular, the vegetation maps produced from this study would aid in gathering accurate knowledge about the distribution and spreading status of Melia, a major invasivespecies over large areas of South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
The Preparation of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles in Hyaluronic Acid and the Influence of Low-Pressure Plasma Treatment on Their Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties

Nanometals constitute a rapidly growing area of research within nanotechnology. Nanosilver and nanogold exhibit significant antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and anticancer properties. The size and shape of nanoparticles are critical for determining their antimicrobial activity. In this study, silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized within a hyaluronic acid matrix utilizing distilled water and distilled water treated with low-pressure, low-temperature glow plasma in an environment of air and argon. Electron microscopy, UV-Vis and FTIR spectra, water, and mechanical measurements were conducted to investigate the properties of nanometallic composites. This study also examined their microbiological properties. This study demonstrated that the properties of the composites differed depending on the preparation conditions, encompassing physicochemical and microbiological properties. The application of plasma-treated water under both air and argon had a significant effect on the size and distribution of nanometals. Silver nanoparticles were obtained between the range of 5 to 25 nm, while gold nanoparticles varied between 10 to 35 nm. The results indicate that the conditions under which silver and gold nanoparticles are produced have a significant effect on their mechanical and antibacterial properties.
Protection potency assessment of the Ethanol Extract of Artemisia Herba Alba against chronic exposure to cadmium toxicity in adult male rats: Biochemical and molecular studies

: Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental heavy metal contaminant, which has severe toxicity to human health. Traditional medicine plants frequently use Artemisia herba-alba (ArtHA) to treat a variety of illnesses. Three different groups, each of seven Wistar rats were set up. A normal control group: given saline solutions only. Rats in group two: received CdCl 2 (5 mg/kgb.w. i.p). In group three: (CdCl 2 +ArtHA) treated orally by ArtHA ethanol extract (100 mg/kg/b.w.) and CdCl 2 (5 mg/kg/b.w. i.p). Oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzymes were assessed in the liver, kidney, lung, and testis homogenates, as well as DNA damage. With a rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the Cd-treated group, the antioxidant enzyme activities were markedly downregulated. The amount of DNA damage was much higher in the Cd-treated group. Supplementing with ArtHA ethanol extract was extremely efficient and effectively restored the Cd-induced metabolic changes, making them close to the control values. The liver indicators (AST and ALT) as well as the renal damage markers (s. creatinine and s. urea) all showed significantly elevated levels.
A software platform for constructing a digital twin of the integrated energy system

An integrated energy system is a complex technical object, digital twin technologies improve the quality of its design and management. The paper proposes a methodological approach to the development of a software platform for constructing a digital twin of the integrated energy system and solving a set of problems that arise during system design and management. The Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) concept is implemented to automate the stages of a digital twin construction based on the platform. A three-level architecture of a network multiuser software system is proposed. An algorithm used for automated construction of a digital twin of the integrated energy system is presented.
A Novel Metastatic Estrogen Receptor-Expressing Breast Cancer Model with Antiestrogen Responsiveness

Simple Summary Most women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) have estrogen receptor-alpha positive (ER+) disease. The current mouse models of ER+ BC often rely on supplemented estrogen to encourage metastasis, which modifies the immune system and the function of some tissues (like bone), or use genetically modified or immunocompromised mouse strains, which do not accurately replicate the clinical disease. We developed a mouse model of triple-negative (TN) breast cancer with virally transduced ER expression that metastasizes spontaneously without exogenous estrogen stimulation and is responsive to antiestrogen drugs. Our mouse model exhibited upregulated ER-responsive genes and multi-organ metastasis without exogenous estrogen administration. Following antiestrogen treatment (tamoxifen, ICI 182,780, or vehicle control), tumor volumes and weights were significantly decreased, exemplifying antiestrogen responsivity. This tumor model, which expresses the estrogen receptor, metastasizes spontaneously, and responds to antiestrogen treatment, will allow for further investigation into the biology and potential treatment of metastasis. Abstract Most women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) have estrogen receptor alpha-positive (ER+) disease. The current mouse models of ER+ BC often rely on exogenous estrogen to encourage metastasis, which modifies the immune system and the function of some tissues like bone. Other studies use genetically modified or immunocompromised mouse strains, which do not accurately replicate the clinical disease. To create a model of antiestrogen responsive BC with spontaneous metastasis, we developed a mouse model of 4T1.2 triple-negative (TN) breast cancer with virally transduced ER expression that metastasizes spontaneously without exogenous estrogen stimulation and is responsive to antiestrogen drugs. Our mouse model exhibited upregulated ER-responsive genes and multi-organ metastasis without exogenous estrogen administration. Additionally, we developed a second TN BC cell line, E0771/bone, to express ER, and while it expressed ER-responsive genes, it lacked spontaneous metastasis to clinically important tissues. Following antiestrogen treatment (tamoxifen, ICI 182,780, or vehicle control), 4T1.2- and E0771/bone-derived tumor volumes and weights were significantly decreased, exemplifying antiestrogen responsivity in both cell lines. This 4T1.2 tumor model, which expresses the estrogen receptor, metastasizes spontaneously, and responds to antiestrogen treatment, will allow for further investigation into the biology and potential treatment of metastasis.
Phloretin Inhibits Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation in Serratia marcescens

This study investigated the antivirulence capacity and mechanism of apple-skin-derived phloretin against Serratia marcescens NJ01, a vegetable spoilage bacterium. At 0.5 to 2 mg/mL doses, phloretin considerably inhibited the secretion of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), indicating that phloretin disrupted quorum sensing (QS) in S. marcescens NJ01. The dysfunction of QS resulted in reduced biofilms and the decreased production of protease, prodigiosin, extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs), and swimming and swarming motilities. Dysfunctional QS also weakened the activity of antioxidant enzymes and improved oxidative injury. The improved oxidative injury changed the composition of the membrane, improved membrane permeability, and eventually increased the susceptibility of biofilm cells to amikacin, netilmicin, and imipenem. The disrupted QS and enhanced oxidative stress also caused disorders of amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and nucleic acid metabolism, and ultimately attenuated the ability of S. marcescens NJ01 to induce spoilage. Our results indicated that phloretin can act as a potent drug to defend against spoilage by S. marcescens.
Service Discovery and Session Initiation in a Highly Dynamic Swarm of Unmanned Vehicles

Submitted on 22 Oct 2012HAL is a multi-disciplinary open accessarchive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-enti c research documents, whether they are pub-lished or not. The documents may come fromteaching and research institutions in France orabroad, or from public or private research centers.L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, estdestinee au dep^ot et a la di usion de documentsscienti ques de niveau recherche, publies ou non,emanant des etablissements d’enseignement et derecherche fran˘cais ou etrangers, des laboratoirespublics ou prives.
Airborne X-band SAR tomography for forest volumes

We evaluate the usefulness of X-band, airborne (helicopter) data for tomography over forestry regions and discuss the use of compressive sensing algorithms to aid X-band airborne tomography. This work examines if there is any information that can be gained from forest volumes when analysing forestry sites using X-band data. To do so, different forest scenarios were simulated and a fast SAR simulator was used to model airborne multipass SAR data, at X-band, with parameters based on Leonardo's PicoSAR instrument. Model simulations considered varying factors that affect the height determination when using tomography. The main parameters that are considered here are: motion errors of the platform, the spacing of the flight paths, the resolution of the SAR images and plant life being present under the canopy (an understory). It was found that residual motion errors from the airborne platform cause the largest error in the tomographic profile.
Impact of Low PM2.5 Exposure on Asthma Admission: Age-Specific Differences and Evidence from a Low-Pollution Environment in China

Many epidemiological studies focus on health research in areas with high concentration of PM 2.5 . To fill the research gap, our study investigated the acute effects of low PM 2.5 level (annual average concentration below 35 µ g m –3 ) on asthma admissions in Xiamen, China. Using a time-stratified case-crossover study design, we examined the association between PM 2.5 concentration and asthma admissions from January 2019 to November 2021. The results showed a positive correlation between PM 2.5 concentration and the cumulative incidence of asthma, with a lag of 0–7 days. Each 10 µ g m –3 increased in PM 2.5 concentration was associated with a 0.49% increase in asthma incidence. Stratified analysis revealed significant effects in children aged 0–4 years (OR = 2.029, 95% CI = 1.359–3.031) and the elderly population aged over 75 years (OR = 1.399, 95% CI = 1.092– 1.793). Distributed lag models demonstrated a hysteresis effect, with significant lagged effects observed in children (lag0–5) and the elderly (lag3–lag5). The multi-pollutant model, considering NO 2 and O 3 , showed consistent results. These findings highlight the age-specific susceptibility to PM 2.5 exposure and its impact on asthma admissions, even at lower levels of pollution. Further research is needed to inform environmental protection policies and public health interventions in low-pollution environments.
ScienceDirect 6 th International conference on Intelligent Human Computer Interaction , IHCI 2014 Driver ’ s Distraction and Understandability ( EOU ) Change due to the Level of Abstractness and Modality of GPS Navigation Information during Driving

With the advance of technology, the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation has become an essential device for the driving experience. While the growth of GPS navigation has increased dramatically, the distraction from the GPS usage also became an issue. The researches warn the potential danger of devices, which distract the driver’s attention. In this paper, we present the strategy to mitigate the level of distraction, while drivers seek navigation information from the GPS systems. Many researches have already explored strategy to minimize the driving distraction, but only few researches have focused on the strategy to minimize the distraction behaviors with system design. By manipulating the type of information and the mode of modality, we explore the best strategy for delivering the navigation information to drivers. Consequently, the drivers understood the direction easily and safely, even though the drivers had limited time, only enough for a quick glancing action. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Scientific Committee of IHCI 2014.
Design and Preliminary Tests of a 20-T REBCO Insert Coil for a 35-T All Superconducting Magnet

This paper presents the design and preliminary test results of a 20 T REBCO insert coil for a 35 T all superconducting magnet. The 20 T insert coil consists of two coils nested in series. The internal coil (coil 1) is composed of a stack of 20 REBCO double pancake (DP) coils, and the no-insulation (NI) winding approach was applied to increase its current density. The outer coil (coil 2) consists of 28 REBCO DP coils, metal-as-insulation (MI) technology was used to improve the overall mechanical strength and reduce the charging-delay time constant. The electromagnetic and mechanical analysis considering the screening current (SC) effect have been discussed in detail. The maximum hoop stress and hoop strain of the insert coil with the SC effect under operating conditions are 1010 MPa and 0.658%, respectively, but some favorable conditions have not been considered. The tests at 77 K and all assembly work have been completed. The preliminary test results of the insert coil at 4.2 K in self-field show that the large resistances of DP 3 and DP 4 in coil 1 caused the local temperature to rise, which led to the early quench of the whole insert coil. The maximum applied current was 229 A, and the actual central magnetic field with the SC effect was 18.4 T.
Altitudinal Variation on Metabolites, Elements, and Antioxidant Activities of Medicinal Plant Asarum

Asarum (Asarum sieboldii Miq. f. seoulense (Nakai) C. Y. Cheng et C. S. Yang) is a medicinal plant that contains asarinin and sesamin, which possess extensive medicinal value. The adaptation and distribution of Asarum’s plant growth are significantly affected by altitude. Although most studies on Asarum have concentrated on its pharmacological activities, little is known about its growth and metabolites with respect to altitude. In this study, the physiology, ionomics, and metabolomics were investigated and conducted on the leaves and roots of Asarum along an altitude gradient, and the content of its medicinal components was determined. The results showed that soil pH and temperature both decreased along the altitude, which restricts the growth of Asarum. The accumulation of TOC, Cu, Mg, and other mineral elements enhanced the photosynthetic capacity and leaf plasticity of Asarum in high-altitude areas. A metabolomics analysis revealed that, at high altitude, nitrogen metabolism in leaves was enhanced, while carbon metabolism in roots was enhanced. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of some phenolic substances, including syringic acid, vanillic acid, and ferulic acid, were altered to enhance the metabolism of organic acids. The study uncovered the growth and metabolic responses of Asarum to varying altitudes, providing a theoretical foundation for the utilization and cultivation of Asarum.
Tree diversity in cacao agroforests in San Alejandro

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) cultivation maintaining a high proportion of shade trees in a diverse composition (agroforestry) is currently being viewed as a sustainable land use practice. Our research hypothesis was that cacao agroforests (AF) can support relatively high tree diversity, as compared to surrounding primary and/or secondary forests. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of forest conversion on tree communities by comparing tree composition, community characteristics (richness and diversity) and spatial structure (density, canopy height, basal area) among primary forest, secondary forest, and cacao AF. In total, we collected data from 30 25 9 25 m plots on three land use systems (20 in cacao AF, five in secondary, and five in primary forests) in San Alejandro, Peruvian Amazon. All trees with DBH C 10 cm were counted, identified to species, and their height and DBH were recorded. Our results support the hypothesis that cacao AF present a relatively high tree species richness and diversity, although they are no substitute for natural habitats. We identified most common species used for shading cacao. Tree species composition similarity was highest between cacao AF and secondary forest. Vegetation structure (density, height, DBH) was significantly lower compared to primary and second- ary forest. Species richness and diversity were found to be highest in the primary forest, but cacao AF and secondary forests were fairly comparable. The tree species cultivated in cacao AF are very different from those found in primary forest, so we question whether the relatively high tree diversity and richness is able to support much of the diversity of original flora and fauna.
Physician Perceptions of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabis in Sports Medicine and Performance

Objectives. There is growing evidence regarding cannabinoid use in sports medicine and performance, especially cannabidiol (CBD). This study aims to determine if sports medicine physicians are recommending cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes, as well as analyze perceptions of cannabinoids within sports medicine and performance. Methods. Physician members of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) completed an anonymous survey on demographics, CBD and Cannabis recommendations, as well as attitudes toward cannabinoid products within sports medicine. Factors associated with CBD and cannabis recommendations as well as perceptual differences were found using multivariate regression modelling. Results. Responses from 333 physicians were recorded. The following groups were less likely to agree with allowing cannabis for recreational purposes: female gender (coeff. = 0.79 (0.33–1.25), p = 0.001 ), increasing age (coeff. = 0.04 (0.02, 0.07), p < 0.001 ), and rural respondents (compared to baseline urban, coeff. = 1.16 (0.36, 1.95), p = 0.004 ). Similarly, these three factors were associated with a higher likelihood of disagreeing with WADA removing cannabis from the prohibited substance list and with the NCAA allowing CBD use by collegiate athletes ( p ≤ 0.045 ). CBD was less likely to be recommended by pediatricians, rural physicians, and academic physicians ( p ≤ 0.030 ). Male physicians and younger physicians were less likely to identify cannabis as performance-enhancing ( p ≤ 0.042 ). Conclusions. Sports medicine physicians have varying views on cannabinoids. While sports medicine physicians generally have favorable attitudes toward CBD and cannabis, these perceptions appear to be significantly affected by age, practice type, and gender.
Research on Structural Behavior's Deterioration of Corroded Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Man-Made Climate

Among factors influencing the reinforced concrete's durability,structures destroying in an early period arose by rebar corrosion has become a primary factor.The deterioration of structural behavior can be studied using accelerated aging method in a short period.The carrying capacity,ductility and structural behavior's deterioration of corroded reinforced concrete beams were studied by the accelerated corrosion methods under artificial climate.The results show that there are obviously different characteristics and behaviors on corroded bar between the galvanization methods and the accelerated corrosion methods under artificial climate.The bearing capacity and ductility of beams decreased and the cracks distributed more sparsely and non-homogeneous with the increasing of the corrosion rate.The failure modes of most beams were right section failure,while the beams with 0.8 m cracks are bonding tear failure by the galvanization method.
Quantification of Antiphospholipid Antibodies: The Importance of Using an Appropriate Methodology for Each Clinical Profile

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) is associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), characterized by thrombosis and obstetric morbidity. aPLs included in APS classification criteria are lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein-I of IgG or IgM isotypes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is the most used diagnostic technique to determine aPLs. Recently, new automated technologies mainly based in antigen-coated beads have been developed. The aim is to compare a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (M1) and an antigen-coated bead assay (M2) in obstetric and thrombotic APS patients. All samples from the first 1020 patients received in the Immune Service Laboratory (Hospital 12 de Octubre) during the recruitment period, without exclusions, were analysed for aPLs. The weighted kappa for both methods in all the patients was 0.39 (0.30–0.47). Agreement increased to 0.56 (0.38–0.73) in patients with autoimmune disease. Sensitivity and specificity obtained for M1 were 17.1% and 89.3%, respectively, and 12.7% and 91.4% for M2. The sensibility and specificity of IgG isotypes were higher than the IgM ones. Regarding obstetric patients, M1 obtained significant diagnostic performance and had more sensitivity 23.75 (14.95–34.58) compared to M2 12.50 (6.16–21.79). In conclusion, clinical suspicion-based method selection for aPLs should be considered. To identify obstetric APS patients, solid phase methods remain more preferable.
Monitoring temperature-induced in-situ nanomechanical changes of cement paste by nanoindentation

In this study, sodium silicate-activated slag (SNS), sodium hydroxide-activated slag (SNH), and hydrated OPC paste samples were exposed to elevated temperatures (up to 250 °C), and the influences of temperatures on these systems were monitored by in-situ nanomechanical testing. From the thermogravimetric analysis, it was observed that the physisorbed water evaporated from all the paste samples at around 150 °C. However, the effects of physisorbed evaporation were different for the paste samples. Both OPC and SNS samples showed a decrease in elastic modulus due to the increase in temperature. Contradictorily, in the case of the SNH paste, the modulus continued to increase even after the evaporation of physisorbed water. It is proposed that because of the presence of the hydrotalcite phase in the SNH sample, which is often intermixed with C–S–H, the modulus of C–S–H did not substantially decrease even at elevated temperatures.