Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-cost image annotation for supervised machine learning. Application to the detection of weeds in dense culture

An open problem in robotized agriculture is to detect weeds in dense culture. This problem can be addressed with computer vision and machine learning. The bottleneck of supervised approaches lay in the manual annotation of training images. We propose two different approaches for detecting weeds position to speed up this process. The first approach is using synthetic images and eye-tracking to annotated images [4] which is at least 30 times faster than manual annotation by an expert, the second approach is based on real RGB and depth images collected via Kinect v2 sensor. We generated a data set of 150 synthetic images which weeds were randomly positioned on it. Images were gazed by two observers. Eye tracker sampled eye position during the execution of this task [5, 6]. Area of interest was recorded as rectangular patches. A patch is considered as including weeds if the average fixation time in this patch exceeds 1.04 seconds. The quality of visual annotation by eye-tracking is assessed by two ways. First, direct comparison of visual annotation with ground-truth which is shown an average 94.7% of all fixations on an image which fell within ground-truth bounding-boxes. Second, as shown in fig.1 eye-tracked annotated data is used as a training data set in four machine learning approaches and compare the recognition rate with the ground-truth. These four machine learning methods are tested in order to assess the quality of the visual annotation. These methods correspond to handcrafted features adapted to texture characterization. They are followed by a linear support vector machine binary classifier. The table 1 gives the average accuracy and standard deviation. Experimental results prove that visual eye-tracked annotated data are almost the same as in-silico ground-truth and performances of supervised machine learning on eye-tracked annotated data are very close to the one obtained with ground-truth.
Trends in bleeding patterns during prophylaxis for severe haemophilia: observations from a series of prospective clinical trials

Summary. Replacement therapy or prophylaxis, has become the standard of care for the treatment of severe haemophilia A. To describe bleeding patterns in children, adolescents and adults on prophylaxis and their observed relationships to times of infusion (during the week and during the day) as well as season of the year. Data from Advate pre‐licensure prospective clinical trials from 145 patients with factor VIII (FVIII) <1%, were used. All patients underwent a 48‐h pharmacokinetic study. The 10–65 year group had ≥75 exposure days on fixed prophylaxis (25–40 IU kg−1 3–4x per week). Prophylaxis was not fixed but similar for 1–6 year olds. Bleeding patterns were analysed. Overall, 700 bleeds were observed in 110/145 patients. All were treated with prophylaxis, mean dose 108 IU kg−1 week−1 in on average 2.9 infusions (1–6 years), 86 IU kg −1week−1 in 2.7 infusions (10–17 years),and 75 IU kg −1week−1 in 2.6 infusions (18–65 years), respectively. On prophylaxis, median total bleeds per year were low at 3.1 for patients aged 1–6 years, 3.3 for those aged 10–17 years and 2.1 for patients aged 18–65 years. Patients aged 1–6 years had predominantly soft tissue bleeds (79%). Incidence of joint bleeding was not associated with season, but was significantly lower in patients who infused FVIII in the mornings: median 0 per year (IQR 0.0–0.4) compared to those who infused later [median 1.8 per year (IQR 0.0–5.2)]. Older patients predominantly experienced joint bleeds (50% and 62%, respectively). More joint bleeds occurred during the summer [43 and 46% respectively, (P < 0.01)]. Bleeding patterns in patients on prophylaxis varied according to age. In addition, the 10–65 year olds showed increased bleeding during the summer. After confirmation in prospective studies, this information may be used to improve tailoring of prophylactic treatment.
Spatial Organization and Composition of the Mucosal Flora in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT The composition and spatial organization of the mucosal flora in biopsy specimens from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), self-limiting colitis, irritable-bowel syndrome (IBS), and healthy controls were investigated by using a broad range of fluorescent bacterial group-specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. Each group included 20 subjects. Ten patients who had IBD and who were being treated with antibiotics were also studied. Use of nonaqueous Carnoy fixative to preserve the mucus layer was crucial for detection of bacteria adherent to the mucosal surface (mucosal bacteria). No biofilm was detectable in formalin-fixed biopsy specimens. Mucosal bacteria were found at concentrations greater than 109/ml in 90 to 95% of IBD patients, 95% of patients with self-limiting colitis, 65% of IBS patients, and 35% of healthy controls. The mean density of the mucosal biofilm was 2 powers higher in IBD patients than in patients with IBS or controls, and bacteria were mostly adherent. Bacteroides fragilis was responsible for >60% of the biofilm mass in patients with IBD but for only 30% of the biofilm mass in patients with self-limiting colitis and <15% of the biofilm mass in patients with IBS. In contrast, bacteria which positively hybridized with the probe specific for Eubacterium rectale-Clostridium coccoides accounted for >40% of the biofilm in IBS patients but for <15% of the biofilm in IBD patients. In patients treated with (5-ASA) or antibiotics, the biofilm could be detected with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole but did not hybridize with fluorescence in situ hybridization probes. A Bacteroides fragilis biofilm is the main feature of IBD. This was not previously recognized due to a lack of appropriate tissue fixation. Both 5-ASA and antibiotics suppress but do not eliminate the adherent biofilm.
Comparative Effectiveness of Analgesics to Reduce Acute Pain in the Prehospital Setting

Abstract Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess comparative effectiveness and harms of opioid and nonopioid analgesics for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in the prehospital setting. Methods: We searched MEDLINE®, Embase®, and Cochrane Central from the earliest date through May 9, 2019. Two investigators screened abstracts, reviewed full-text files, abstracted data, and assessed study level risk of bias. We performed meta-analyses when appropriate. Conclusions were made with consideration of established clinically important differences and we graded each conclusion’s strength of evidence (SOE). Results: We included 52 randomized controlled trials and 13 observational studies. Due to the absence or insufficiency of prehospital evidence we based conclusions for initial analgesia on indirect evidence from the emergency department setting. As initial analgesics, there is no evidence of a clinically important difference in the change of pain scores with opioids vs. ketamine administered primarily intravenously (IV) (low SOE), IV acetaminophen (APAP) (low SOE), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administered primarily IV (moderate SOE). The combined use of an opioid and ketamine, administered primarily IV, may reduce pain more than an opioid alone at 15 and 30 minutes (low SOE). Opioids may cause fewer adverse events than ketamine (low SOE) when primarily administered intranasally. Opioids cause less dizziness than ketamine (low SOE) but may increase the risk of respiratory depression compared with ketamine (low SOE), primarily administered IV. Opioids cause more dizziness (moderate SOE) and may cause more adverse events than APAP (low SOE), both administered IV, but there is no evidence of a clinically important difference in hypotension (low SOE). Opioids may cause more adverse events and more drowsiness than NSAIDs (low SOE), both administered primarily IV. Conclusions: As initial analgesia, opioids are no different than ketamine, APAP, and NSAIDs in reducing acute pain in the prehospital setting. Opioids may cause fewer total side effects than ketamine, but more than APAP or NSAIDs. Combining an opioid and ketamine may reduce acute pain more than an opioid alone but comparative harms are uncertain. When initial morphine is inadequate, giving ketamine may provide greater and quicker acute pain relief than giving additional morphine, although comparative harms are uncertain. Due to indirectness, strength of evidence is generally low, and future research in the prehospital setting is needed.
Towards Races in Linear Logic

Process calculi based in logic, such as \(\uppi \)DILL and CP, provide a foundation for deadlock-free concurrent programming, but exclude non-determinism and races. \(\text {HCP}\) is a reformulation of CP which addresses a fundamental shortcoming: the fundamental operator for parallel composition from the \(\uppi \)-calculus does not correspond to any rule of linear logic, and therefore not to any term construct in CP.
Novel Interface Circuits for Embedding Self-timed Circuitry in Synchronous Systems and a Study of their Metastability

The logic construction of two new circuits, based in a combination of CMOS double-edgetriggered (DET) flip-flops and traditional single-edge-triggered (SET) flip-flops, for embedding self-timed circuitry in a synchronous system is proposed. We also show the metastability analysis of the flip-flops used in these circuits and their mean-time between failures (MTBF) values we obtained using SPICE and a 0.5 um CMOS technology.
Functional Chemical Groups that May Likely Become a Source for the Synthesis of Novel Central Nervous System (CNS) Acting Drugs.

INTRODUCTION Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders are on increase perhaps due to genetic, enviromental, social and dietetic factors. Unfortunately, a large number of CNS drugs have adverse effects such as addiction, tolerance, psychological and physical dependence. In view of this, literature search was carried out with a view to identify functional chemical groups that may serve as lead molecules for synthesis of compounds that may have CNS activity. METHODS The search revealed that heterocycles that have heteroatoms such as nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and oxygen (O) form the largest class of organic compounds. They replace carbon in a benzene ring to form pyridine. Compounds with furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyridine, azole, imidazole, indole, purine, pyrimidine, esters, carboxylic acid, aldehyde, pyrylium, pyrone, pyrodine, barbituric acid, barbiturate, quinoline, quinolone, isoquinolone, coumarin, alkylpyridine, picoline, piperidine, diazine, carboxamide, flavonoid glycoside, oxindole, aminophenol, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, and chromone chemical groups among others may have CNS effects ranging from depression passing through euphoria to convulsion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Examples of the compounds with the functional groups include but not limited to coal tar, pyridostigmine, pralidoxime, quinine, mefloquine, pyrilamine, pyronaridine, ciprofloxacin and piroxicam. A number of them can undergo keto-enol tautomerism. Chiral amines may be used for derivation of chiral carboxylic acids which are components of tautomers. Some tautomers may cause parkinsonism and Stevens Johnson syndrome.
Treatment interruption for virological failure or as sparing regimen in children with chronic HIV-1 infection

Objective: To assess both benefits and risks related to treatment interruption (TI) in children with chronic HIV-1 materno-fetal infection. Design: A multicentre, retrospective analysis in five university hospital pediatric departments in France. Methods: Clinical events, plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 cell counts, CD4 percentages (CD4%) and genotypes were recorded in 24 patients before and during TI. Patients were classified as sparing regimen or virological failure groups according to the main reason for treatment interruption. Clinical events, immuno-virological evolution and genotype reversions were monitored. Results: After a median of 40 weeks of TI, none of the patients presented with an AIDS-defining event. For the whole cohort, median viral load variation from baseline, measured during TI was +1.26 log10 copies/ml (range, −0.22, +4.3 log10) with large inter-individual variability, median absolute CD4 cell loss was 32.5% (range, −82, +17%). These variations were not different in the two patient groups. The mean number of mutations conferring resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors at baseline and last evaluation did not differ significantly. Few mutation reversions to wild type were noted in our cohort. Conclusions: Treatment interruption in children with chronic HIV-1 infection is associated with higher viral load increases than observed in adult patients. The CD4 cell loss is comparable. Although no clinical AIDS-defining event was noted close monitoring is required when TI is proposed to HIV-infected children. Very few reversion mutations were observed during treatment interruption.
DNA extraction from benthic Cyanobacteria: comparative assessment and optimization

Benthic Cyanobacteria produce toxic and odorous compounds similar to their planktonic counterparts, challenging the quality of drinking water supplies. The biofilm that benthic algae and other micro‐organisms produce is a complex and protective matrix. Monitoring to determine the abundance and identification of Cyanobacteria, therefore, relies on molecular techniques, with the choice of DNA isolation technique critical. This study investigated which DNA extraction method is optimal for DNA recovery in order to guarantee the best DNA yield for PCR‐based analysis of benthic Cyanobacteria.
Quinolinic acid toxicity on orexin neurons blocked by gamma aminobutyric acid type A receptor stimulation

Selective degeneration of hypothalamic orexin neurons, a hallmark of pathology in narcolepsy patients, is in part reproduced in hypothalamic slice cultures by application of an endogenous excitotoxin quinolinic acid. Depolarized membrane potential may be responsible for the vulnerability of orexin neurons to excitotoxicity. We show that stimulation of &ggr;-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, which is known to hyperpolarize orexin neurons, by muscimol or isoguvacine potently inhibits quinolinic acid cytotoxicity on orexin neurons. In addition, the protective effect of &ggr;-aminobutyric acid and a &ggr;-aminobutyric acid uptake blocker nipecotic acid is abolished by a &ggr;-aminobutyric acid type A antagonist picrotoxin. Norepinephrine and serotonin do not provide a neuroprotective effect. Thus, GABAergic inhibitory control may be a decisive factor regulating survival of orexin neurons under excitotoxic insults.
Costunolide inhibits matrix metalloproteinases expression and osteoarthritis via the NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease involving cartilage erosion and matrix degradation. Costunolide is a sesquiterpene lactone that has been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory activities in a wide variety of cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of costunolide in OA treatment, using rat chondrocytes and an OA rat model, in which animals were subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus. The results revealed that costunolide (2–6 µM) had no effect on chondrocyte viability or phenotype maintenance. Costunolide decreased the interleukin (IL)-1β-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6, and increased the expression of collagen II and transcription factor SOX-9, which were inhibited by IL-1β. Costunolide significantly decreased p65 phosphorylation induced by IL-1β and the translocation of p65 into the nucleus of rat chondrocytes, as observed by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. In addition, activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was inhibited by costunolide, as demonstrated by the level of activation of β-catenin and the transfer of β-catenin into the nucleus induced by IL-1β. In vivo, cartilage treated with costunolide exhibited attenuated degeneration and lower Mankin scores compared with the OA group. The present study investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of costunolide, which exerted anti-inflammatory activities and inhibited MMPs expression. Taken together, these results indicate that costunolide may have a potential value in the treatment of OA.
Customer Retention Practices of Microfinance Banks

The popularity which microfinance banking enjoys is predicated on its poverty alleviation potential. To attain this potential the banks need to be financially sustainable and can only achieve this by ensuring that their customers (the active poor) are satisfied and delighted by their service offerings. Microfinance bank services are undergoing major transformations, driven by change and customer sophistication. But their marketing has often been deficient in the area of customer retention. This study examines customer retention practices within the context of micro finance banks. Data was obtained through a survey of 84 respondents, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study identifies a core group of retention strategies and explores the anticipated effects of these drivers. Managerial implications and future research directions are also discussed. Keywords: Microfinance, customer retention strategies, customer retention rate, Customer defection
Design of Miniaturized Narrowband Absorbers Based on Resonant-Magnetic Inclusions

In this paper, we present the design of miniaturized narrowband-microwave absorbers based on different kinds of magnetic inclusions. The operation of the proposed components originates from the resonance of a planar array of inclusions excited by an incoming wave with a given polarization. As in common absorber layouts, a 377 Ω resistive sheet is also used to absorb the electromagnetic energy of the impinging field. Since the planar array of magnetic inclusions behaves at its resonance as a perfect magnetic conductor, the resistive sheet is placed in close proximity of the resonating inclusions, without perturbing their resonance condition. In contrast to other typical absorber configurations presented in the literature, the absorber proposed in this paper is not backed by a metallic plate. This feature may be useful for stealth applications, as discussed thoroughly in the paper. The other interesting characteristic of the proposed absorbers is the subwavelength thickness, which has shown to depend only on the geometry of the basic resonant inclusions employed. At first, regular split-ring resonators (SSRs) disposed in an array configuration are considered and some application examples are presented. Absorbers based on SRRs are shown to reach thickness of the order of λ0/20. In order to further squeeze the electrical thickness of the absorbers, multiple SRRs and spiral resonators are also used. The employment of such inclusions leads to the design of extremely thin microwave absorbers, whose thickness may even be close to λ0/100. Finally, some examples of miniaturized absorbers suitable for a practical realization are proposed.
Predicting Early and Often: Predictive Student Modeling for Block-Based Programming Environments

Recent years have seen a growing interest in block-based programming environments for computer science education. While these environments hold significant potential for novice programmers, they lack the adaptive support necessary to accommodate students exhibiting a wide range of initial capabilities and dispositions toward computing. A promising approach to addressing this problem is introducing adaptive feedback. This work investigates a key capability for adaptive support: training student models that predict student success in block-based programming activities for novice programmers. The predictive student models utilize four categories of features: prior performance, hint usage, activity progress, and interface interaction. In addition to evaluating the accuracy of these models for multiple block-based programming activities, we also investigate how quickly the models converge to accurate prediction, and we evaluate the additive value of each of the four categories of features. Results show that the predictive models are able to predict whether a student will successfully complete an exercise with high accuracy, as well as converge on this prediction early in the sequence of student interactions.
Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal properties of a tissue conditioner used in complete dentures after incorporation of ZnO‒Ag nanoparticles

Background. Incorporation of antifungal and antimicrobial agents into tissue conditioners might inhibit the formation of microbial plaque and prevent complications such as denture stomatitis. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of a tissue conditioner after incorporation of ZnO‒Ag nanoparticles into their structure. Methods. In this in vitro study, 4 microorganisms were evaluated at 6 concentrations of ZnO‒Ag nanoparticles at 24- and 48-hour intervals, using 168 samples. The nanoparticles were mixed at a ratio of 50% Ag and 50% ZnO and were homogenized with the tissue conditioner at 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 wt% according to the MIC technique principles. After culturing the microorganisms, a spectrophotometer was used for determining proliferation of microorganisms with the use of turbidity after 24 and 48 hours of incubation at 37ºC. Results. Complete inhibition of the proliferation of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed at 24- and 48-hour intervals at a concentration of 10%; such inhibition was observed at 20% concentration of nanoparticles with Streptococcus mutans. In addition, the most effective concentration of ZnO‒Ag nanoparticles at both 24- and 48-hour intervals was 5% with C. albicans and 2.5% with E. faecalis. In addition, the most effective concentration at 24- hour interval with S. mutans was 10% and with P. aeruginosa they were 5% at 24-hour and 2.5% at 48-hour intervals. Conclusion. Incorporation of ZnO‒Ag nanoparticles into tissue conditioners resulted in the inhibition of bacterial proliferation
The use of Xenopus oocytes in drug screening

Introduction: The physiological roles of ion channels are receiving increased interest in both basic research and drug discovery, and a demand for pharmacological approaches that can characterize or screen ion channels and their ligands with higher throughput has emerged. Traditionally, screening of compound libraries at ion channel targets has been performed using assays such as binding assays, fluorescence-based assays and flux assays that allow high-throughput, but sacrifice high data quality. The use of these assays with ion channel targets can also be problematic, emphasizing the usefulness of automated Xenopus oocyte electrophysiological assays in drug screening. Areas covered: This review summarizes the use of Xenopus oocytes in drug screening, presents the advantages and disadvantages of the use of Xenopus oocytes as expression system, and addresses the options available for automated two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings from Xenopus oocytes. Expert opinion: Automated and manual Xenopus oocyte two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings are useful and important techniques in drug screening. Although they are not compatible with high-throughput experimentation, these techniques are excellent in combination or as alternatives to fluorescence-based assays for hit validation, screening of focused compound libraries and safety screening on ion channels with their high flexibility for the choice of molecular targets, quality of data and reproducibility.