Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of serum content of 25-hydroxy vitamin D with semen quality in normozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men

Background: Vitamin D has multifaceted function in human reproductive physiology. It has been revealed that vitamin D is involved in spermatogenesis, and semen quality can be linked to vitamin D status in men. Objective: Evaluating the correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels in serum with basic and advanced semen parameters and essential determinants of spermatozoa function. Materials and Methods: Participants were categorized, based on semen parameters, into normozoospermic (NS) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men. Serum level of 25-OHD was measured. Apoptotic status of spermatozoa, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species content of semen were assessed. Results: Difference of 25-OHD concentration in serum of NS men versus OAT ones did not meet significance threshold. DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species content of semen and mitochondrial membrane potential state revealed significant difference between NS and OAT subjects. There were no significant differences in basic and functional semen parameters when men were stratified based on serum 25-OHD level. Taking both 25-OHD and semen categories (NS and OAT) into consideration did not indicate any significant difference in studied parameters. Total motility of spermatozoa was positively correlated with serum concentration of 25-OHD in all studied subjects. In addition, normal morphology of spermatozoa in NS men revealed a positive and significant correlation with levels of 25-OHD in serum. Conclusion: Vitamin D may affect motility and morphology of spermatozoa. Lower content of serum vitamin D may affect fertility of men and should be considered in examination of men with abnormal spermogram.
Psychoanalysis and the 21st Century: A Critique and a Vision

The author traces a current crisis in psychoanalysis to its inwardness and insularity, which have left it insufficiently progressive in relation to cultural shifts. We must more expansively open ourselves to contemporary cultural influences and connect inclusively with wide-ranging therapeutic approaches and intercultural disciplines—the arts, humanities, and sciences. This outward-leaning orientation opens psychoanalysis to interdisciplinarity, broadens its methodological integration, and promotes its growth by positioning it in the current of progress of a variety of other disciplines and psychotherapeutic schools.
Examining the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Banks' Performance, and Risk in Saudi Arabia

Corporate Governance has become one of the most important concerns in the business world. Although the corporate governance topic has been studied recently, the impact of corporate governance on banks' performance and risk is not clear yet, especially in developing countries. Using a panel data regression model on a sample of 11 banks listed in Saudi Stock Exchange for the fiscal year 2008 to 2013, this study examines the relationship between corporate governance and banks' performance and risk in Saudi Arabia. This study employed seven independent variables, which cover four conventional measures of corporate governance, and three measures of ownership structure. The main findings from the study are: board's size, ownership concentration and institutional ownership have a significant impact on bank's performance and risk, but committees of the board of directors have a significant impact only on bank's performance. The outcome of this study offers empirical evidence on the impact of corporate governance on banks' performance and risk. This evidence provides beneficial information for supervising authorities, stakeholders and academics.
Frequency of Bacterial Organisms Isolated from Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of Children under Five Years in Windhoek from 2010 to 2014

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a life-threatening condition which affects the central nervous system (CNS). Its incidence rate is estimated between 0.22 - 2.66 and 0.81 - 6.1 cases/1000 lives worldwide and in Africa respectively. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial organisms isolated from CSF of children less than five years old in Windhoek. A retrospective analysis was performed on 784 results of CSF submitted to the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) from January 2010 to August 2014. The results showed that out of the suspected meningitis cases, 18 (28.6%) were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, making it the frequently isolated organism, followed by Staphylococcus aureus 7 (11.1%), Escherichia coli 5 (7.9%) and Haemophilus influenzae 4 (6.3%). Streptococcus pneumoniae showed high resistance to penicillin 17 (70.5%) & cotrimoxazole 16 (93.7%) and 100% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (5), vancomycin (13) & ceftri-axone (8). Haemophilus influenzae showed moderate resistance to cotrimoxazole 3 (66%) & tet-racycline 2 (50%). It showed 100% sensitivity to chloramphenicol (4), cefuroxime (2) & ceftriaxone (3). Neisseria meningitidis showed high resistance to cotrimoxazole by 100% (n = 2) and high sensitivity to chloramphenicol (n = 2), ceftriaxone & penicillin by 100% (n = 2). Streptococcus agalactiae was resistant to tetracycline and sensitive to penicillin & erythromycin by 100% (n = 1). Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated the most in this current study and it had high resistance to penicillin & cotrimoxazole. There was a significant difference between results CSF culture and PCR, Gram stain, CSF cell count, protein & glucose, as all comparisons yielded in P values less than 0.05, indicating a significant statistical association.
Wiener ’ s Loop Filter for PLL-Based Carrier Recovery of OQPSK andMSK-TypeModulations Arnaldo Spalvieri andMaurizio Magarini

This letter considers carrier recovery for offset quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK) and minimum shift keying-type (MSKtype) modulations based on phase-lock loop (PLL). The concern of the letter is the optimization of the loop filter of the PLL. The optimization is worked out in the light of Wiener’s theory taking into account the phase noise affecting the incoming carrier, the additive white Gaussian noise that is present on the channel, and the self-noise produced by the phase detector. Delay in the loop, which may affect the numerical implementation of the PLL, is also considered. Closed-form expressions for the loop filter and for the mean-square error are given for the case where the phase noise is characterized as a first-order process.
Exotic surface plasmons in monolayer metal borophene

The past decade has witnessed numerous discoveries in two-dimensional (2D) semimetals and insulators, including room temperature quantum Hall effect and topological states. On the contrary, metallic 2D materials have rarely been identified. Recently, borophene, a monolayer boron sheet, has emerged as a perfect 2D metal. Linear response calculations based on time-dependent density functional theory show that plasmons in borophene are strongly anisotropic with coexistence of gapless and gapped surface plasmon modes, which are originated from transitions between one-dimensional (1D) electron gas and Dirac electrons. The 1D plasmon is dissipationless, with energy dispersion extending far into the Briliouin zone boundary with large wavevectors $\sim$2~\AA$^{-1}$, supporting highly confined plasmon polaritons. The low-dimensional plasmons in intrinsic metal borophene open potential applications in plasmon waveguide and integrated optoelectronic devices at optical frequencies.
THE IMPACT OF LECTURERS’ THINKING STYLES ON STUDENTS’ CREATIVITY IN DISTANCE HIGHER EDUCATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the group creativity on thinking styles in distance education based on collaborative learning. Sample included 120 students from three intact classes of the College of education were selected as the participants for the main study. The instruments of measurement were the thinking styles inventory and the creative product semantic scale. Using the factorial quasi-experimental design, impact of thinking styles in the group creativity was tested. The results of the present study showed that male students tended to prefer the legislative thinking style more than the female students. There was no significant difference between male and female students in the overall creative ability. In addition, this study found that there was no significant association between the average group member creative ability and the overall group creative performance. The findings also supported Sternberg’s argument that ability is different from style
Color Variabilities of Spectrally Defined Red QSOs at z = 0.3–1.2

We study the brightness and the color variabilities of 34 red and 122 typical quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at z = 0.3–1.2 using data from the Pan-STARRS Medium Deep Survey. The red and the typical QSOs are selected based on the ratios of the flux densities at 3000 Å to those at 4000 Å in the rest frame. We find that 16 out of 34 red QSOs are identified as extended sources, which exhibit strong brightness and color variabilities at shorter wavelengths due to the contamination of the emission from their host galaxies. Some point-like QSOs with significant color variabilities are able to change their color classification according to our spectral definition. The timescales of the color variabilities for these point-like QSOs are within 4 years, suggesting that the size scales of the mechanisms producing the color variabilities are less than a few light years. The spectra of some extended and point-like red QSOs can be well fitted with the dust-reddened spectra of a typical QSO, while others are difficult to explain with dust reddening.
Effects of subsidies from spawning chum and pink salmon on juvenile coho salmon body size and migration timing

Organisms transporting nutrients from highly productive ecosystems can subsidize food webs and alter ecosystem processes. For example, the carcasses and eggs of migratory Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) provide a high-quality food source that could potentially benefit other species of salmon rearing in fresh water. We investigated relationships between spawning chum (O. keta) and pink (O. gorbuscha) salmon density, and the body size and age of juvenile coho salmon (O. kisutch) in 17 streams on the central coast of British Columbia, Canada. Chum salmon density was the most consistently important and positive correlate of coho body size, in comparison with pink salmon density, juvenile coho salmon density, and numerous characteristics of habitats. This was shown by comparisons both among and within streams, and between sites above and below natural barriers to spawning chum and pink salmon. In addition, streams that had higher chum and pink salmon spawning densities had a higher proportion of age 0 coho (less age 1), suggesting earlier juvenile coho salmon migration to the ocean with increased spawning salmon nutrient availability. Most of the coho salmon sampled had little or no direct contact with spawning chum and pink salmon, which suggests an indirect, time-delayed influence on coho salmon body size.
Open Census for Addressing False Identity Attacks in Decentralized Social Networks

Title: Open Census for Addressing False Identity Attacks in Decentralized Social Networks Author: Song Qin Committee Chair: Marius C. Silaghi, Ph.D. We address the problem of estimating the population of a given area (e.g., a city). Unlike a centralized census where identities are reported to a single principal agency (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau) and are stored on a centralized data server, the proposed decentralized census distributes reported identities in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Peers in this network can also distribute opinions on whether some of the reported identities are correct or false. The estimation of the count of correct identities is based on the available information. A decentralized census enables individuals to independently verify governmental census data. The results of a decentralized census may complement results of an official census, as it may give new opportunities for reaching additional residents. Thus, governments can improve their official data using results from independent census processes, potentially after additional verification.
Intelligent Robot Guidance in Fixed External Camera Network for Navigation in Crowded and Narrow Passages

Autonomous indoor service robots use the same passages which are used by people for navigation to specific areas. These robots are equipped with visual sensors, laser or sonar based range estimation sensors to avoid collision with obstacles, people, and other moving robots. However, these sensors have a limited range and are often installed at a lower height (mostly near the robot base) which limits the detection of far-off obstacles. In addition, these sensors are positioned to see forward, and robot is often ’blind’ about objects (ex. people and robots) moving behind the robot which increases the chances of collision. In places like warehouses, the passages are often narrow which can cause deadlocks. We propose to use a network of external cameras fixed on the ceiling (ex. surveillance cameras) to guide the robots by informing about moving obstacles from behind and far-off regions. This enables the robot to have a ’birds-eye view’ of the navigation space which enables it to take decisions in real-time to avoid the obstacles efficiently. The camera sensor network is also able to notify the robots about moving obstacles around blind-turns. A mutex based resource sharing scheme in camera sensor network is proposed which allows multiple robots to intelligently share narrow passages through which only one of the robots/person can pass at a given time. Experimental results in simulation and real scenarios show that the proposed method is effective in robot navigation in crowded and narrow passages.
A Novel Method for the Objective Identification of Hyperautofluorescent Ring in Retinitis Pigmentosa Using Binarization Processing

Purpose To assess precision and accuracy of a new objective algorithm using binarization in a software for identifying the hyperautofluorescent ring (AF ring) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) compared with subjective visual inspection. Methods Ultra-widefield AF images were obtained from 23 eyes of 13 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We defined the borders of the AF rings using semiautomatic binarization algorithm in Fiji software. We compared the degree of precision (intra- and interrater agreements) of this algorithm and that of subjective visual inspection (freehand method) using Jaccard indices (JIs). To compare the classification performance (whether 68 points of Humphrey Field Analyzer is classified as inside, on, or outside AF rings), we calculated percent agreement and weighted kappa statistic between the two methods. The relationship between the distance from the AF ring and retinal sensitivities was also investigated. Results The binarization method showed significantly higher JIs than the freehand method (for interrater: 0.94–0.95 vs. 0.73–0.78, respectively, P = 0.002; for intrarater: 0.95 vs. 0.68–0.71, respectively, P = 0.005). Percent agreement for classification between the two methods were 0.94 and weighted kappa statistic was 0.94 (P < 0.001). The retinal sensitivities decreased significantly and eccentrically from 2° inside to 3° outside the AF ring. Conclusions Defining the AF ring in RP using the binarization algorithm showed significantly higher precision and the same degree of accuracy compared with visual inspection. Translation Relevance This novel method may enable quantitative analysis of the AF ring, an indicator of retinal function in RP.
The impact of initial antibiotic treatment failure: real-world insights in patients with complicated, health care-associated intra-abdominal infection

Purpose The RECOMMEND study (NCT02364284; D4280R00005) assessed the clinical management patterns and treatment outcomes associated with initial antibiotic therapy (IAT; antibiotics administered ≤48 hours post-initiation of antibiotic therapy) for health care-associated infections across five countries. Patients and methods Data were collected from a retrospective chart review of patients aged ≥18 years with health care-associated complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI). Potential risk factors for IAT failure were identified using logistic regression analyses. Results Of 385 patients with complete IAT data, bacterial pathogens were identified in 270 (70.1%), including Gram-negative isolates in 221 (81.9%) and Gram-positive isolates in 92 (34.1%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens were identified in 112 patients (41.5% of patients with a pathogen identified). IAT failure rate was 68.3% and in-hospital mortality rate was 40.8%. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated three factors to be significantly associated with IAT failure: patients admitted/transferred to the intensive care unit during index hospitalization, isolation of an MDR pathogen and previous treatment with β-lactam antibiotics. Conclusion We reveal the real-world insights into the high rates of IAT failure and mortality observed among patients with cIAI. These data highlight the challenges associated with choosing IAT, the impact of MDR pathogens on IAT outcomes and the importance of tailoring IAT selection to account for local epidemiology and patient history.
Avasimibe inhibits tumor growth by targeting FoxM1-AKR1C1 in osteosarcoma

Background Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare bone tumor with a high propensity for lung metastasis and poor patient outcomes. It is crucial to identify novel therapeutic strategies and biomarkers. Patients and methods ARK1C1 staining was detected in OS specimens, and its clinical significance was assessed. A potential AKR1C1 inhibitor, avasimibe, was used to target AKR1C1. Results High expression of AKR1C1 was observed in OS and was associated with poor outcomes for patients with OS. Avasimibe was found to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth by reducing the expression of AKR1C1 and FoxM1 in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion These findings indicate that AKR1C1 is a promising prognostic factor and may serve as a novel therapeutic target of avasimibe for human OS.
Effect of Drying Methods and Ultrasonication in Improving the Antioxidant Activity and Total Phenolic Content of Apple Pomace Powder

Although extrusion is a promising process to develop ready to eat cereals and snacks, thermal treatment to raw material during extrusion results in degradation of phenolic compounds. Therefore, an approach was made to enhance the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of apple pomace (AP) prior to extrusion process. In this study, AP powder was naturally fermented (F) for 12 h and then was subjected to ultrasonication (U) at various conditions [25, 37, and 50 µm ultrasonication amplitude (UA) for 1, 2, and 3 min of ultrasonication time (UT)]. AP was then dried in oven (O) and microwave (MW), separately and thus four drying methods, i.e. OF-OU, OF-MWU, MWF-OU, MWF-MWU were used in combinations. Full factorial design was used for experimental plan and results were analyzed using statistical software. It was observed that drying method significantly affected the TPC and AA of AP powder followed by UA. UT did not have any significant effect on TPC, and AA. Maximum TPC, and AA observed for the AP powder dried in MW after fermentation and ultrasonication (MWF-MWU) at 50 µm UA for 3 min UT were 372.98 mg GAE/100g DW, and 729.67 µmol TE/100 g DW, respectively. MWF-MWU drying exhibited a more prominent disrupted and porous structure of AP powder compared with that of OF-OU drying.
Subclinical Infection with the Novel Influenza A ( H 1 N 1 ) Virus

value of this comparison would be 1.05. However, just by looking at the P value one cannot state that ribavirin was not effective in the treatment of CCHF. The lack of the statistical significance could be related to small sample size. Therefore, before making such a statement, a sufficient sample size must be achieved. Obviously, we prefer to stay on the safer side when treating our patients. Accordingly, the comment of Hayran and Aşçıoğlu regarding the lack of statistical inference in this example is not relevant in clinical practice, particularly for the example of CCHF; rather, it might mislead practitioners. The positions of World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention are clear regarding the beneficial use of ribavirin, and it would be unethical to perform a placebo-controlled, randomized study [4]. Moreover, recent studies have supported the beneficial use of ribavirin, particularly during the early phase of the disease [5]. Besides the small sample size, potential confounders and biases should be controlled precisely in studies on CCHF; these factors have been described in detail elsewhere [4]. In conclusion, ribavirin was found to be effective in vitro and to be beneficial in clinical studies, although the statistical significance of this benefit has not yet been reached [6]. As we stressed in our manuscript 5 years ago, additional studies are necessary.
Regenerative capacity in the lamprey spinal cord is not altered after a repeated transection

The resilience of regeneration in vertebrate tissues is not well understood. Yet understanding how well tissues can regenerate after repeated insults, and identifying any limitations, is an important step towards elucidating the underlying mechanisms of tissue plasticity. This is particularly challenging in tissues such as the nervous system, which contain a large number of terminally differentiated cells (i.e. neurons) and that often exhibits limited regenerative potential in the first place. However, unlike mammals that exhibit very little spinal cord regeneration, many non-mammalian vertebrate species, including lampreys, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, regenerate their spinal cords and functionally recover even after a complete spinal cord transection. It is well established that lampreys undergo full functional recovery of swimming behaviors after a single spinal cord transection, which is accompanied by tissue repair at the lesion as well as axon and synapse regeneration. Here, using the lamprey model, we begin to explore resilience of spinal cord regeneration after a second spinal re-transection. We report that by all functional and anatomical measures tested, the lampreys regenerated after spinal re-transection just as robustly as after single transections. Recovery of swimming behaviors, axon regeneration, synapse and cytoskeletal distributions, and neuronal survival were nearly identical after a single spinal transection or a repeated transection. Thus, regenerative potential in the lamprey spinal cord is largely unaffected by spinal re-transection, indicating a greater persistent regenerative potential than exists in some other highly-regenerative models. These findings establish a new path for uncovering pro-regenerative targets that could be deployed in non-regenerative conditions.