Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expert Discussions Improve Comprehension of Difficult Cases in Medical Image Assessment

Medical data labeling workflows critically depend on accurate assessments from human experts. Yet human assessments can vary markedly, even among medical experts. Prior research has demonstrated benefits of labeler training on performance. Here we utilized two types of labeler training feedback: highlighting incorrect labels for difficult cases ("individual performance" feedback), and expert discussions from adjudication of these cases. We presented ten generalist eye care professionals with either individual performance alone, or individual performance and expert discussions from specialists. Compared to performance feedback alone, seeing expert discussions significantly improved generalists' understanding of the rationale behind the correct diagnosis while motivating changes in their own labeling approach; and also significantly improved average accuracy on one of four pathologies in a held-out test set. This work suggests that image adjudication may provide benefits beyond developing trusted consensus labels, and that exposure to specialist discussions can be an effective training intervention for medical diagnosis.
Towards Improved Translational Stroke Research: Progress and Perspectives of the Recent National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Consensus Group Meeting

See related article, p 2632 Preclinical stroke research faces a substantial transition. Past classical rodent stroke models and study designs revealed numerous potential targets for novel stroke therapies; yet, subsequent clinical stroke trials failed to confirm promising preclinical findings. Pharmacological and mechanical recanalization therapies, representing the only strategies that have substantially improved acute ischemic stroke outcomes, were largely developed omitting conventional preclinical methods.1–3 In this issue of Stroke , a National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke consensus group comprising leading academic, industry, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experts working at the forefront of stroke research has recently published guidelines for improved translational studies.4 Distinguishing between explorative (basic) versus confirmative (translational) studies has been suggested. Exploratory research uses simpler rodent models but a broad spectrum of basic science methods to gain comprehensive information on a putative treatment target. Subsequent confirmative research adopts study designs similar to those used in clinical stroke trials and puts more emphasis on predictive stroke models and study end points using larger and adequate sample sizes for necessary statistical power.5 The group’s recommendations reflect latest developments and concepts in the field, aiming to ultimately enhance the predictive value of …
Identification and Characterization of Bacterial Community Associated with the Chewed Feeding Waste of Red Palm Weevil in Infested Date Palm Trees

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is considered one of the most damaging insect pests of date palms in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Large scale infestation of RPW to date palm trees leads to excessive feeding activity of the RPW larvae, which is carried out by microorganisms present within RPW and producing a wet fermenting material inside the trunk. Culture dependent-bacteria were isolated from feeding waste and identified by the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene using 8F and 1492R universal primers. Among the culture-dependent isolated bacteria, 80% were identified by comparing 16S rRNA gene sequence in NCBI database, using BLAST program in GenBank. 85% of the identified bacteria were Gram-positive while the rest of them were Gram-negative. A high abundance of bacteria were from the Bacillaceae family and sixteen different species of Bacillus were identified in comparison with NCBI GenBank. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of identified bacterial strains have been submitted to GenBank. The phylogenetic relationship was studied using 16S rRNA gene sequences, the Gram-negative bacteria came in one clade while Gram-positive different Bacillus sp. and strains showed evolutionary closeness to each other and accordingly, they came in one major clade under three different sub-clades in the phylogenetic tree. The findings of new Bacillus strains in the natural habitat of the date plam trees in the Kingdom of Bahrain, pledge a vast area of research on RPW bio-control research arena.
Effects of sedimentation, microgravity, hydrodynamic mixing and air–water interface on α-synuclein amyloid formation†

The formation of amyloid fibrils is a characterizing feature of a range of protein misfolding diseases, including Parkinson's disease. The propensity of native proteins to form such amyloid fibril, both in vitro and in vivo, is highly sensitive to the surrounding environment, which can alter the aggregation kinetics and fibrillization mechanisms. Here, we investigate systematically the influence of several representative environmental stimuli on α-synuclein aggregation, including hydrodynamic mixing, the presence of an air–water interface and sedimentation. Our results show that hydrodynamic mixing and interfacial effects are critical in promoting several microscopic steps of α-synuclein aggregation and amyloid fibril formation. The presence of an air–water interface under agitation significantly promoted primary nucleation. Secondary processes were facilitated by hydrodynamic mixing, produced by 3D rotation and shaking either in the presence or in the absence of an air–water interface. Effects of sedimentation, as investigated in a microgravity incubator, of α-synuclein lead only to minor changes on the aggregation kinetics rates in comparison to static conditions. These results forward the understanding of α-synuclein fibrillization, paving the way for the development of high-throughput assays for the screening of pharmacological approaches targeting Parkinson's disease.
Application of Phytoremediation to Reduce Environmental Pollution of Copper Smelting and Refinery Factories: a Review

Copper smelting and refinery factories are the final stages of a pyrometallurgical processing chain, and they cause many environmental challenges around the world. One of the most common environmental problems of these factories is toxic emissions. These toxic gases have harmful effects on the vegetation, animal species, soils, and water resources around the factories. Phytoremediation can play an important role in the reduction of the adverse effects of environmental pollutions arising from copper smelting and refinery factories. In this paper, we first discuss different types of pollutions caused by copper metallurgical factories, and present the main research approaches and studies conducted on these factories. In the second part, we provide a summary and comparison of different remediation technologies used to reduce the environmental pollutions of these factories. Besides, the advantages and disadvantages of each method is also investigated. In the third part, we review the different aspects of the phytoremediation including the effective mechanisms, different types of plants, application environments, and the effective factors. The next part includes the selection of suitable plants for the phytoremediation process applied for copper metallurgical factories and investigation of the native and cultivated hyperaccumulator plants. In addition, different efficiency indices are introduced for evaluating the phytoremediation efficiency and selecting an appropriate hyperaccumulator plant. At the final stage, some appropriate plant species for various types of phytoremediation are introduced. The effects of different environmental stresses and the possibilities of integrating phytoremediation with other remediation technologies as well as the advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation are eventually investigated.
Identificação de equipamentos e procedimentos utilizados por fisioterapeutas brasileiros para testes de endurance muscular inspiratória

RESUMO A avaliação da função dos músculos inspiratórios por meio do teste de endurance muscular inspiratória (EMI), definida como a capacidade de sustentação dessa tarefa ao longo do tempo, atualmente apresenta ampla variedade de instrumentos e procedimentos para sua mensuração. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os diferentes equipamentos, procedimentos e forma de avaliação dos testes de EMI entre fisioterapeutas brasileiros. É um estudo transversal realizado por meio de questionário enviado por correio eletrônico individualmente a cada participante. Cento e treze fisioterapeutas de diferentes regiões do país, grande parte com atuação conjunta na clínica e na docência (52,1%), responderam realizar poucas vezes a medida de EMI (48,7%). O manovacuômetro aneroide foi o aparelho mais utilizado por 42,5% dos profissionais. O clipe nasal e o bocal tubular de plástico rígido ou papel foram os acessórios mais utilizados durante o teste, correspondendo a 51,8% e 33%, respectivamente. O teste de ventilação voluntária máxima foi o mais utilizado para avaliação da endurance inspiratória, relatado por 23% dos respondentes. O teste de carga constante para avaliação da endurance foi adotado por 51,2% dos fisioterapeutas, sendo que 54,9% associaram comandos verbais à demonstração para explicação do teste. A interpretação dos valores aferidos era feita através de valores de referência por 25,7% dos entrevistados. Identificou-se que os fisioterapeutas brasileiros entrevistados não apresentaram a mesma conduta para os testes de EMI. No entanto os equipamentos, procedimentos e a forma de avaliação são utilizados com base nas diretrizes sobre o tema e de acordo com a disponibilidade de recursos do serviço.
Evaluating the Effect of Positive Parent Contact on Elementary Students’ On-Task Behavior

Family–school partnership has consistently been associated with positive student outcomes. Unfortunately, efforts to engage parents are often demanding, with limited planning around reinforcement needed to sustain participation. The study purpose was to evaluate a behavioral approach to enhance teacher–parent communication and improve student on-task classroom behavior. Positive Parent Contact (PPC) required teachers to recognize positive behavior of a student identified for additional behavioral supports and report positive incidents to parents through two weekly emails. A multiple-baseline design was used with five participant triads (teacher, student, and parent) from two elementary schools. Visual analysis and descriptive statistics showed increased on-task behavior based on observations conducted during challenging classroom routines. Non-overlap of all pairs’ effects ranged from . 67 to . 90, with a combined effect of . 75 (Hedges g). Results suggest that PPC improved on-task classroom behavior, and reciprocal parent–teacher communication was enhanced. Parents and teachers reported that PPC was feasible and acceptable. Limitations and implications are discussed.
Embankment Displacement PLAXIS Simulation and Microstructural Behavior of Treated-Coal Gangue

The purpose of this study is to investigate the displacement of coal gangue filling material in road construction and microstructural behavior of treated coal gangue by considering the environmental factors of aqueous solutions with different acidity. The displacement analysis of the coal gangue embankment model has been done by means of the finite element method PLAXIS. Furthermore, using the scanning electron microscope, the energy dispersive system, and the Raman spectrometer to analyze the microscopic mechanism in the view of microstructure, elements, the integrity of carbon structure and the stability of chemical bonds of coal gangue. The results show that the larger displacement of the treated coal gangue subgrade is within 4.0 m below the top of the subgrade, and the maximum displacement value is about 7 mm, which is less than the displacement of untreated coal gangue sample. While the treated A-CG and T-CG grain size, surface area and internal friction angle increase, the unstable carbon structure is destroyed, so its shear strength, compression performance, and consolidation effect are improved. S-CG particles are coated with Na-Si-Al gel, which enhances the density, viscosity and shear strength, thus ensuring the stability of the coal gangue subgrade. The treated coal gangue subgrade slope foot displacement, boundary shear stress and safety factor are all meet the specification requirements.
Towards a Reliable Comparison and Evaluation of Network Intrusion Detection Systems Based on Machine Learning Approaches

Presently, we are living in a hyper-connected world where millions of heterogeneous devices are continuously sharing information in different application contexts for wellness, improving communications, digital businesses, etc. However, the bigger the number of devices and connections are, the higher the risk of security threats in this scenario. To counteract against malicious behaviours and preserve essential security services, Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDSs) are the most widely used defence line in communications networks. Nevertheless, there is no standard methodology to evaluate and fairly compare NIDSs. Most of the proposals elude mentioning crucial steps regarding NIDSs validation that make their comparison hard or even impossible. This work firstly includes a comprehensive study of recent NIDSs based on machine learning approaches, concluding that almost all of them do not accomplish with what authors of this paper consider mandatory steps for a reliable comparison and evaluation of NIDSs. Secondly, a structured methodology is proposed and assessed on the UGR’16 dataset to test its suitability for addressing network attack detection problems. The guideline and steps recommended will definitively help the research community to fairly assess NIDSs, although the definitive framework is not a trivial task and, therefore, some extra effort should still be made to improve its understandability and usability further.
A Systematic Literature Review on Shari’ah Governance Mechanism and Firm Performance in Islamic Banking

PurposeThis paper aims to systematically review the existing studies on the relationship of Sharī'ah governance (SG), as represented by the Sharī'ah supervisory board (SSB), with firm performance of Islamic banks (IBs), to suggest opportunities for future research in this field.Design/methodology/approachBy adopting a systematic literature review, 21 empirical and theoretical papers published in Scopus concerning the relationship between SSB and performance of IBs were selected for review and analysis.FindingsIn light of the existing research studies' limitations, this paper suggests that the effect of SSB on IBs' performance still requires more empirical analyses using alternative analytical methods, alternative measures, and different periods (during crisis and non-crisis). Besides that, these studies should take into account the differences across jurisdictions in their SG models, the degree of agencies' intervention in SG practices, the control over cross-memberships of scholars, and the differences across IBs in the position of SSB in the organization structure.Practical implicationsThe analysis undertaken in this paper would address the literature gaps on the effect of SSB on IBs' performance as this study serves as a guide for the researchers, academicians, and interested researchers from Islamic international autonomous non-for-profit organizations, e.g. AAOIFI and IFSB in research related to this important area. Importantly, the findings of this study would support regulators and related authorities across jurisdictions with suggestions on improving the current SG practices.Originality/valueThis paper presents a critical review of the existing research on SSB and IB performance and suggests new variables, measurements, analytical methods, and new issues for researchers in this area. Thus, it identifies the literature gap that still needs further empirical investigation and a suitable way to close it.
Development of a mobile livestock loading ramp

An Adjustable Mobile Loading Ramp was developed to serve as panacea to the inadequacy of handling equipment along the cattle value chain in Nigeria. The Ramp is 2.7 m long and 1.0 m wide. Performance evaluation of the ramp was carried out based on the animal stress indicators i.e. pulse and respiratory rates measured before and after loading. For comparison, similar data were collected when loading was done manually at the Akinyele Cattle Market in Ibadan, Nigeria. The mean pulse rates (beats per minute) of animals before and after loading were 65.67 and 72.33 units respectively for the ramp as against 68.67 and 89 units for the manual method respectively. The mean respiratory rates (breaths per minute) before and after loading were 30 and 34.66 units respectively for the ramp compared to 29 and 45.67 units for the manual method respectively. Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant differences between the pulse and respiratory rates before and after loading of animals using the ramp. The manual method resulted in significant differences between the pulse and respiratory rates before and after loading. The use of the ramp eliminates many of the hazards associated with loading and unloading of animals onto transport vehicles.
Review on the Application of Knowledge Graph in Cyber Security Assessment

The development of artificial intelligence technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and made significant progress in many areas. Many researchers have begun to apply artificial intelligence technology to the cyber security domain. Knowledge graphs can describe the concepts, entities and their relationships in the objective world in a structured way. Applying knowledge graph to the cyber security domain can organize, manage, and utilize massive amounts of information in cyberspace in a better way. In this paper, the common cyber security assessment models and their shortcomings is summarized, the research progress of ontology-based knowledge representation is discussed, thus leading to a conclusion that ontology-based knowledge representation can completely and accurately represent the complex knowledge of heterogeneous systems in the cyber security domain. Then we introduce the concept of knowledge graph, summarize the application progress of knowledge graphs in the cyber security domain, and discuss directions of future research.
Variaçao do campo eléctrico da atmosfera com a meteorología da regiao de Lisboa entre 1955-1985. Estudo da influencia da humidade relativa do ar

Estudos realizados nas ultimas decadas indicam que quase todos os fenomenos meteorologicos afectam e sao afectados pelo campo electrico atmosferico. Para a definicao da componente planetaria da corrente electrica atmosferica foram determinadas as medias horarias correspondentes a situacoes de bom tempo. A influencia da meteorologia local no campo electrico pode ser inferida a partir das anomalias (ou desvios) relativamente aos valores medios horarios. As variacoes sazonais e diurnas da componente vertical do campo electrico, ao nivel do solo, para a estacao Lisboa-Portela, entre os anos 1955-1985 sao tambem estudadas, nas condicoes de bom tempo. E feita uma primeira analise da correlacao entre o valor do campo electrico atmosferico e os respectivos valores horarios da humidade relativa. [EN]According to studies realized in the last thirty years almost all meteorological phenomenon afectts and are affected by atmospheric electric field. The atmospheric electric field is related to meteorological variables of the boundary layer. We study the hourly anomalies of the vertical component of the near-ground fair weather atmospheric electric field recorded in the station of Portela (Lisbon) between 1955 and 1985. Climatological curves are obtained accounting for all meteorological conditions and only for fair weather. The local influences were separated from the planetary component by calculating the differences between hourly values and climatological values of the atmospheric electric field. The search for correlations between the electric field and relative humidity produced no significant results. Therefore we conclude that the direct influence of humidity upon the atmospheric electric field in the Lisbon region may be neglected.
Medication Errors in Nurses of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez and its Related Factors

1 MSc, Department of Nursing, Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran 2 PhD, Department of Nursing, Clinical Care Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran 3 MS.c of Biostatics, Health promotion Research center, Iran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran 4 Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran * Corresponding author: Reza Ghanei Gheshlagh, PhD, Department of Nursing, Clinical Care Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran. E-mail: Ghanei@muk.ac. ir
How Formative Assessments Drive Instructional Decision Making in the Classroom

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to better understand the formative assessment processes that drive instructional decision making. The conceptual framework by Chappuis and influenced by Black and Wiliam includes the strategic process for successful formative assessment teaching and learning. The research questions explored the use of homework as a formative assessment in classrooms. Data collection included faceto-face interviews with 10 general education Grade 3-5 teachers in two different schools; a 2-week document analysis of homework assigned in language arts and mathematics; and a focus group of participants. The themes that emerged from the coded data identified ineffective teacher use of feedback, self-assessment, and learning targets—essential practices of the formative assessment process. Improving the formative assessment process for teaching and learning may encourage positive social change through promoting teacher self-efficacy and collaboration through a professional development paired with a professional learning community.
Automatic Detection of Pulmonary Nodules using Three-dimensional Chain Coding and Optimized Random Forest

The detection of pulmonary nodules on computed tomography scans provides a clue for the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Manual detection mandates a heavy radiological workload as it identifies nodules slice-by-slice. This paper presents a fully automated nodule detection with three significant contributions. First, an automated seeded region growing is designed to segment the lung regions from the tomography scans. Second, a three-dimensional chain code algorithm is implemented to refine the border of the segmented lungs. Lastly, nodules inside the lungs are detected using an optimized random forest classifier. The experiments for our proposed detection are conducted using 888 scans from a public dataset, and achieves a favorable result of 93.11% accuracy, 94.86% sensitivity, and 91.37% specificity, with only 0.0863 false positives per exam.