Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postnatal expression profiles of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathioneperoxidase in spermatogenesis in mice

Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) is known to be an antioxidant enzyme that may be implicated in spermatogenesis, but its functional significance in the development of testes remains poorly understood. To demonstrate the roles of PHGPx in spermatogenesis during postnatal development, expression profiles of PHGPx mRNA and protein in testes and epididymides obtained from mice 1-9 and 27 weeks after birth were spatiotemporally analyzed. In testes, PHGPx mRNA first appeared in 2-week-old mice, while its protein was first detected in late spermatocytes and round spermatids from 3-week-old mice and levels were greatly increased in elongated spermatids and immature spermatozoa of 5-week-old mice. These increased levels were maintained until 27 weeks as well as weak expression in Leydig cells. In the epididymides, PHGPx mRNA was weakly detected in all ages examined, while PHGPx protein first appeared at 4 weeks, greatly increased after 6 weeks, and was observed strongly in luminal sperm and weakly in surrounding tubular epithelium until 27 weeks. These findings indicate that PHGPx is essential for postnatal spermatogenic activity in mice.
Deriving Local Explanations for Black Box Models

Many high performance machine learning methods produce black box models, which do not disclose their internal working that yields the prediction. We propose a novel explanation method that explains the predictions of any classifier by analyzing the prediction change obtained by omitting relevant subsets of attribute values. Our method overcomes the exponential time complexity of previous works by learning a local model in the neighborhood of the prediction to explain. Preliminary experiments show that, despite the approximation introduced by the local model, the explanations provided by our method are effective in detecting also correlation among attributes. Our method is model-agnostic. Hence, experts can compare explanations and local behaviors of the predictions for the same instance made by different classifiers.
Implementing a web-based routine health information system in Kenya: Factors affecting acceptance and use

Use of computer-based systems to manage developing countries’ health information is expected to lead to improved efficiencies in healthcare delivery, yet there is evidence to suggest that such systems are not always readily accepted by the targeted users. Since 2010, Kenya has been in the process of implementing and scaling up the use of a web-based system (DHIS2) for managing the entire country’s routine health information. This descriptive qualitative study was undertaken to get a deeper understanding of factors considered as barriers or enablers to the successful scale up and use of DHIS2 in Kenya. A total of 25 key informant interviews were conducted using unstructured, in-depth and active interview approach. Subsequently the transcribed data was analyzed with the NVivo computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS) to explore the themes and sub-themes represented in each interview. All interviewees appreciated that DHIS2 is a radical improvement on the previous systems implemented in the country. They recognized its capacity for improved dissemination of public health information through the public login option. Also appreciated was the fact that it is easy to undertake simple, customized data analysis in the system, which should encourage data use right from the lowest levels. The interviewees however pointed out the need to address the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, low computer proficiency, inadequate staffing capacities, lack of proactive leadership and information ownership at all levels, as well as the still unmet demand for better quality and complete health data.
Hopf bifurcation from spike solutions for the weak coupling Gierer–Meinhardt system

The Hopf bifurcation from spike solutions for the classical Gierer–Meinhardt system in a onedimensional interval is considered. The existence of time-periodic solution near the Hopf bifurcation parameter for a boundary spike is rigorously proved by the classical Crandall–Rabinowitz theory. The criteria for the stability of the limit cycle are determined, and it is shown that the limit cycle is unstable.
Union of Learned Sparsifying Transforms Based Low-Dose 3 D CT Image Reconstruction

We propose a new penalized weighted-least squares (PWLS) reconstruction method that exploits regularization based on an efficient Union of Learned TRAnsforms (PWLS-ULTRA). The union of square transforms is pre-learned from numerous 3D patches extracted from a dataset of CT volumes. The proposed PWLS-based cost function is optimized by alternating between a CT image reconstruction step, and a sparse coding and clustering step. The CT image reconstruction step is accelerated by a relaxed linearized augmented Lagrangian method with orderedsubsets that reduces the number of forward and backward projections. Simulations with 3D axial CT scans of the XCAT phantom show that for low-dose levels, the proposed method significantly improves the quality of reconstructed images compared to PWLS reconstruction with a nonadaptive edge-preserving regularizer (PWLS-EP). PWLS with regularization based on a union of learned transforms leads to better image reconstructions than using a single learned square transform.
The Significance of Elevated Serum Enzyme Creatine Kinase as a Biomarker in Musculoskeletal Injury: A Review

: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) has been found to be associated with the abnormality in the serum enzyme creatine kinase (CK). When skeletal muscle sustains injury from the intense prolonged muscular contractions as a consequence of both pathological and physiological factors, it will cause an imbalance in cellular homeostasis increasing the membrane permeability to leak CK enzyme from cells into blood serum. This subsequent release of serum enzyme profusely into the plasma and not being falsely elevated by haemolysis has made CK the preferable biomarker than other serum enzymes. It is a key enzyme that catalyses the reversible transfer of a phosphoryl group (P) from phosphocreatine, producing ATP and creatine. It forms the core of an energy network found in both mitochondria and cytosol where the energy demands are high. Specifically, CK-MM is the type among major isozymes that is most widely distributed among highly differentiated skeletal muscle tissue. Injuries occur due to trauma, infections or even strenuous exercise to the skeletal muscles often trigger high levels of CK-MM. Thus, it is distinctly regarded as a fundamental biomarker for muscle injury. However, some studies show conflicts for lacking sensitivity and not establishing the proper extent of the injury. Accordingly, based on relevant current evidence and opinions, this review paper attempts to provide comprehensive importance of elevated serum enzyme CK as a biomarker for musculoskeletal injury (MSI) and examine if the elevated concentrations are useful for early detection of MSI.
WHO EMRO | Midwives’ educational needs and knowledge about sexually transmittable infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran

This study aimed to evaluate the educational needs and knowledge about sexually transmittable infections (STIs) demonstrated by midwives. In a cross-sectional study in 2014, 144 midwives in Rasht, Islamic Republic of Iran, were surveyed. The Persian version of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ) and a researcher-made questionnaire to evaluate educational needs and profile were used. The participants obtained 74% of the total score of STD-KQ. Thirty-one percent of participants were categorized in high or very high need of education. Seventy percent of midwives mentioned they were trained on all STIs at university. However, only 6.3% of midwives were aware of existing STIs guidelines. Participants reported that in the last two years they were only educated about HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B at their workplace. Thus, a comprehensive educational programme to empower midwives for complete STIs control is recommended. Besoins éducatifs et connaissances des sages-femmes iraniennes au sujet
Long-range obstacle detection from a monocular camera

Reliable and accurate detection of obstacles is one of the challenges of safe autonomous driving. In the past decades, significant work has been done to address the autonomous obstacle detection in different application fields and scenarios [1][2]. In recent years, there is a tendency to use experience from obstacle detection both in the automotive and the aviation sector for the development of autonomous obstacle detection in railways [3][4]. While the main principle of obstacle detection in front of a vehicle from the automotive sector can be applied to railway applications, there are also specific challenges. One of the key challenges is long-range obstacle detection. Sensor technology in current land transport research is able to look 200 m ahead [5]. The required rail obstacle detection interfacing with locomotive control should be able to look ahead up to 1000 m detecting objects on and near track [6]. In this paper, a novel obstacle detection system, which learns and predicts the distance between the object and the camera sensor, is presented. It is based on Multi Hidden-Layer Neural Network, named DisNet, which was trained using a supervised learning technique where the input features were manually calculated parameters of the bounding boxes of objects detected in camera images and outputs were the accurate 3D laser scanner measurement of the distances to objects in the recorded scene. The presented DisNet-based distance estimation system was evaluated on the real-world images of railway scenes acquired by RGB and thermal monocular cameras. Shown results demonstrate DisNet ability for long-range object detection and distance estimation as well as general nature of the proposed system enabling its use for the estimation of distances to objects imaged with different types of monocular cameras.
Taxonomic revision of Rhinella granulosa species group (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae), with a description of a new species

Uma extensa revisao taxonomica das especies do grupo Rhinella granulosa foi realizada com base em caracteres morfologicos externos e caracteres morfometricos. Foram analisados 8700 exemplares depositados em 35 colecoes nacionais e estrangeiras, representando 865 localidades. Doze especies foram reconhecidas para o grupo, uma delas descrita como nova; sao elas: Rhinella granulosa (Nordeste do Brasil), R. pygmaea (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil), R. bergi (Paraguai, Noroeste da Argentina, e Mato Grosso, Brasil), R. major (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguai, e Norte e Oeste do Brasil), R. mirandaribeiroi (Brasil Central e Bolivia), R. azarai (Provincia de Misiones, Argentina, Paraguai, e Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil), R. nattereri (Venezuela, Guiana e Roraima, Brasil), R. fernandezae (Argentina, Uruguai, Paraguai, e Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil), R. dorbignyi (Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina, Uruguai, e Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil), R. merianae (Venezuela, Suriname, Guiana, e Amazonas e Roraima, Brasil), R. humboldti (Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, Guiana e Trinidad), R. centralis sp. n. (Panama). Caracteres morfologicos externos, como formato da cabeca e do focinho, tipo de cristas cefalicas, tamanho do timpano, tamanho e formato das glândulas parotoides e granulacao cutânea, sao alguns dos atributos utilizados na identificacao das especies. Diagnose comparativa, descricao e sumario de distribuicao sao fornecidos para cada especie, assim como uma chave artificial para identificacao das especies do grupo. A distribuicao geografica das especies de Rhinella esta amplamente associada as formacoes abertas da America do Sul e Panama.
THE EFFECT OF SILICONE OIL AND NANO-HYDROXYAPATITE/CHITOSAN POWDER ON MICROHARDNESS AND SURFACE STRUCTURE OF PRIMARY TEETH ENAMEL AFTER IRON DROP CONSUMPTION

Objective: Oral iron drops are recommended for children aged 6-24 months to prevent irondeficiency anemia. However, their use is associated with the potential risk of erosion and microhardness reduction of primary teeth enamel due to their high acidity. It seems that the combination of silicone oil, nano-hydroxyapatite and chitosan powder may be able to improve the microhardness and surface structure of primary teeth enamel. This study sought to assess the effect of silicone oil plus nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan on the changed microhardness and surface structure of primary teeth enamel after exposure to iron drop. Methods: In this in-vitro study, 30 anterior deciduous teeth were collected and randomly divided into 3 groups. In the first group, samples were exposed to iron drop for 5min and then treated with nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan and silicone oil for 10min. In the second group, specimens were first treated with the mentioned compound and then exposed to iron drop. Microhardness changes were compared in each group using Wilcoxon one sample or Sign test and between the two groups using Mann Whitney U test. The third group specimens were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess their surface texture and quality. Results: In the first group, iron drop exposure decreased enamel microhardness by 44% of the baseline value (p<0.001). Application of the understudy compound after iron drop exposure significantly increased enamel microhardness by 3% of the baseline value (p=0.006). Use of the mentioned compound before iron drop exposure significantly increased enamel microhardness by 2% of the baseline value (p=0.023). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p=0.74). Conclusion: Iron drop exposure significantly decreased enamel microhardness. Use of silicone oil and nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan powder caused 3% and 2% increase in enamel microhardness in the first and 2 group, respectively. These values, compared to the effect of iron drop exposure are clinically significant.
Drive by Wireless System for Vehicle Control using Steering Brake Throttle Sensors and Servo Actuator Wheels

: In todays date almost every automobile vehicle functions in a wired connection. Replacing a wired connection with wireless connection could prove to be productive in economic senses as it will have an effect on the weight and cost. In this project we propose a wireless network to accelerating, braking, control steering and other functions in an automobile. Traditional hydraulic or mechanical methods of steering, braking, accelerating and other controls of a vehicle will be replaced by Drive by Wireless Technique using sensors/switches. Maintenance, flexibility of design is increased and installation of sensor module gets easier. IEEE 802.15. 4 standard is used in this intra vehicle wireless sensor network.
Hill's and Huxley's Muscle Models - Tools for Simulations in Biomechanics

Numerous mathematical models of human skeletal muscles have been developed. However, none of them is adopted as a general one and each of them is suggested for some specific purpose. This topic is essential in humanoid robotics, since we firstly need to understand how human moves and acts in order to exploit human movement patterns in robotics and design human like actuators. Simulations in biomechanics are intensively used in research of locomotion, safe human-robot interaction, development of novel robotic actuators, biologically inspired control algorithms, etc. This paper presents two widely adopted muscle models (Hill's and Huxley's model), elaborates their features and demonstrates trade-off between their accuracy and efficiency of computer simulations. The simulation setup contains mathematical representation of passive muscle structures as well as mathematical model of an elastic tendon as a series elastic actuation element. Advanced robot control techniques point out energy consumption as one of the key issues. Therefore, energy store and release mechanism in elastic elements in both tendon and muscle, based on the simulation models, are considered.
Eocene to Miocene geometry of the West Antarctic Rift System

Tectonic models for the Late Cretaceous/Tertiary evolution of the West Antarctic Rift System range from hundreds of kilometres of extension to negligible strike-slip displacement and are based on a variety of observations, as well as kinematic and geodynamic models. Most data constraining these models originate from the Ross Sea/Adare Trough area and the Transantarctic Mountains. We use a new Antarctic continental crustal-thinning grid, combined with a revised plate-kinematic model based on East Antarctic – Australia – Pacific – West Antarctic plate circuit closure, to trace the geometry and extensional style of the Eocene – Oligocene West Antarctic Rift from the Ross Sea to the South Shetland Trench. The combined data suggest that from chron 21 (48 Ma) to chron 8 (26 Ma), the West Antarctic Rift System was characterised by extension in the west to dextral strike-slip in the east, where it was connected to the Pacific – Phoenix – East Antarctic triple junction via the Byrd Subglacial Basin and the Bentley Subglacial Trench, interpreted as pullapart basins. Seismic-reflection profiles crossing the De Gerlache Gravity Anomaly, a tectonic scar from a former spreading ridge jump in the Bellingshausen Sea, suggest Late Tertiary reactivation in a dextral strike-slip mode. This is supported by seismic-reflection profiles crossing the De Gerlache Gravity Anomaly in the Bellingshausen Sea, which show incised narrow sediment troughs and vertical faults indicating strike-slip movement along a north – south direction. Using pre-48 Ma plate circuit closure, we test the hypothesis that the Lord Howe Rise was attached to the Pacific Plate during the opening of the Tasman Sea. We show that this plate geometry may be plausible at least between 74 and 48 Ma, but further work especially on Australian – Antarctic relative plate motions is required to test this hypothesis.
Acoustic correlates of secondary stress in Estonian

The present study aims to add to the growing body of recent work addressing the acoustic correlates of secondary stress. Here the focus is on Estonian, a quantity language where the primary stress is fixed on the first syllable of the word and the placement of secondary stresses is determined by morphological constraints but typically coincides with oddnumbered syllables. Words consisting of five and six CV syllables were analysed with respect to various acoustic measures relating to duration, pitch, and spectral characteristics. The results show that in Estonian secondary stress does not acoustically differ from unstress, calling into question the usefulness of the concept. This finding supports earlier results for several other languages (e.g. Hungarian, Brazilian Portuguese) where phonological secondary stress has been postulated but is not realised phonetically. It also underlines the crucial role of the primary stressed foot in the prosodic system of Estonian.
Attaining Subsidiarity-Based Multilevel Governance of Genetically Modified Cultivation?

The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the EU is highly harmonised, but with persisting conflicts over authority. The Commission responded to internal and external pressures with a more flexible approach to coexistence, a proposed opt-out clause and a promise to review the existing EU GM regime, providing an opportunity to consider and suggest paths of development. This article considers the post-authorisation policy-making powers of Member States and subnational regions, in light of subsidiarity-based multilevel governance. It considers the different approaches to risk-centred issues and more general policy choices. Overall, the developments occurring at the EU level are strengthening subsidiarity-based multilevel governance within the GM cultivation regime, but with significant opportunities to improve it further through focussing on the complementary powers, coordination and the regional levels in particular.
Overview of observations from the RADAGAST experiment in Niamey, Niger: 2. Radiative fluxes and divergences

[1] Broadband shortwave and longwave radiative fluxes observed both at the surface and from space during the Radiative Atmospheric Divergence using ARM Mobile Facility, GERB data and AMMA Stations (RADAGAST) experiment in Niamey, Niger, in 2006 are presented. The surface fluxes were measured by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program Mobile Facility (AMF) at Niamey airport, while the fluxes at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) are from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument on the Meteosat-8 satellite. The data are analyzed as daily averages, in order to minimize sampling differences between the surface and top of atmosphere instruments, while retaining the synoptic and seasonal changes that are the main focus of this study. A cloud mask is used to identify days with cloud versus those with predominantly clear skies. The influence of temperature, water vapor, aerosols, and clouds is investigated. Aerosols are ubiquitous throughout the year and have a significant impact on both the shortwave and longwave fluxes. The large and systematic seasonal changes in temperature and column integrated water vapor (CWV) through the dry and wet seasons are found to exert strong influences on the longwave fluxes. These influences are often in opposition to each other, because the highest temperatures occur at the end of the dry season when the CWV is lowest, while in the wet season the lowest temperatures are associated with the highest values of CWV. Apart from aerosols, the shortwave fluxes are also affected by clouds and by the seasonal changes in CWV. The fluxes are combined to provide estimates of the divergence of radiation across the atmosphere throughout 2006. The longwave divergence shows a relatively small variation through the year, because of a partial compensation between the seasonal variations in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and surface net longwave radiation. A simple model of the greenhouse effect is used to interpret this result in terms of the dependence of the normalized greenhouse effect at the TOA and of the effective emissivity of the atmosphere at the surface on the CWV. It is shown that, as the CWV increases, the atmosphere loses longwave energy to the surface with about the same increasing efficiency with which it traps the OLR. When combined with the changes in temperature, this maintains the atmospheric longwave divergence within the narrow range that is observed. The shortwave divergence is mainly determined by the CWV and aerosol loadings and the effect of clouds is much smaller than on the component fluxes.
Factors affecting construction safety performance in China during transition

This paper adopted a macro perspective to evaluate factors affecting safety performance in China during the transition period. It addressed the limitation of previous studies that merely attempted to identify factors affecting safety performance from the micro perspective of project management, without questioning why those factors, such as lack of the top-management support and training, existed. Historical reasons explained why construction workers, consist of mainly “farmer workers”, always had little bargaining power with either developers or contractors. In addition, contractual arrangements in the construction industry failed to consider construction safety, making construction laws the only protection that farmer workers have. This paper used province-level construction safety records in China from 1994 to 2000 to investigate factors affecting construction safety in China. The implementation of construction safety laws and the rate of subcontracting were found to be relevant factors, while neither the extent of using temporary workers, nor the availability of resources, nor the level of per capita GDP has any effects.