Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Road Condition Classification Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Autonomous driving is an increasingly important theme nowadays. One of the reasons behind this is the evolution of hardware components in the last years, which made possible both research and implementation of much more complex deep learning techniques. An interesting direction in the vast field of autonomous driving is the discrimination of the condition of the road, with respect to weather. This paper presents a supervised learning based approach to road condition classification. Specifically, we take advantage of the power of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) in the context of image classification. We describe several CNN architectures that use state of the art deep learning techniques and compare their performance. In addition to the simple CNN-based learners, we propose a CNN-based ensemble learner able of a better predictive performance compared to the single models.
Numerical Study of Gas–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Regimes for Upward Flow in a Helical Pipe

This study presents numerical investigations of air-water two-phase flows for upward flow in a vertical helical pipe. The numerical simulations were done in accordance with the experimental work of Zhu et al. 2017, which aimed at identifying the different flow regimes and the transition maps of the flow [Chem. Eng. J. 2017, 308, 606–618]. Accordingly, the same geometrical parameters and flow conditions were retained in the simulations. The main objectives are 1) to assess the ability of the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model to accurately predict the two-phase flow regimes and 2) to provide further details about the two-phase interaction processes. This includes the distribution of the two phases, the velocity profiles, and the secondary flow structures under two-phase flow conditions. A mesh and time-step independence tests were first performed to minimize discretization errors. The numerical results were then validated against experimental velocity profiles from the literature, showing very good agreement. Flo.
Using Artificial Neural Network Modeling In Predicting the Amount of Methyl Violet Dye Absorption by Modified Palm Fiber

Bio-absorbent palm fiber was applied for removal of cationic violet methyl dye from water solution. For this purpose, a solid phase extraction method combined with the artificial neural network (ANN) was used for preconcentration and determination of removal level of violet methyl dye. This method is influenced by factors such as pH, the contact time, the rotation speed, and the adsorbent dosage. In order to find a suitable model of parameters and calculate the desired output, two radial basis function (RBF) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) non-recursive functions, which are among widely used artificial neural networks, were used for training the input data. The performance of this method is tested by common statistical parameters including RMSE, MAE, and CE. The results show that the artificial neural network algorithm has a good performance in simulating and predicting the removal of violet methyl dye.
Family income in shaping cardiometabolic risk profile: a prospective analysis including gender-related differences

Türk Kardiyoloji Derne¤i, ‹stanbul; ‹stanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpafla T›p Fakültesi Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dal›, ‹stanbul; Abant ‹zzet Baysal Üniversitesi T›p Fakültesi Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dal›, Düzce; Y›ld›z Teknik Üniversitesi Biyoloji Bölümü, ‹stanbul; Dr. Siyami Ersek Gö¤üs Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi E¤itim ve Araflt›rma Hastanesi Kardiyoloji Klini¤i, ‹stanbul 471 Türk Kardiyol Dern Arfl Arch Turk Soc Cardiol 2006;34(8):471-478
Brain Plasticity associated with Predictive Masking and Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease resulting from damage at the optic nerve, the “highway” through which visual information travels from the retina towards the visual brain. Such lesion deprives the visual cortex of the regular input, causing interruptions within the visual field – scotoma. However, even when such lesions occur, perception remains stable as the human visual system perceptually masks the insult with the visual features of nearby regions of the visual field. To unravel the neural mechanisms by which this remarkable capacity occurs in glaucomatous individuals, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neural modelling to track changes in cortical population receptive fields (pRFs). We found that visual neurons from early visual areas (V1-3) expanded their pRFs both inside and at the vicinity of the lesion. V1 pRFs also shifted their preferred central position towards the outside of the scotoma. By doing so, neural populations were able to process information from spared visual field, consistent with the notion of predictive masking. In contrast, well-sighted observers did not show similar patterns of neural activity in response to the introduction of an artificial scotoma (AS). Our findings provide evidence of enduring cortical reorganization underlying the predictive spatial masking of scotomas in glaucoma, meeting the contemporary view that early visual areas of the adult human brain retain plastic mechanisms. Furthermore, the involvement of the brain suggests that glaucoma pathogenesis goes beyond the eye.
The Effect of Employee Share Ownership on Employee Commitment and Turnover: Comparing the Cases in Britain and South Korea and the Role of the Economy

Despite the consensus in the employee share ownership (ESO) literature for the need to explore contexts that influence ESO outcomes, studies examining two important factors, national context and status of the economy, are limited. In this study, the authors compare the outcomes of ESOs in Britain and South Korea during economic expansion and downturn. The results demonstrate that, during an economic expansion, the effect of ESOs in increasing employee commitment is stronger in South Korea, while their effect in decreasing employee turnover is stronger in Britain. However, during an economic downturn, the authors find no evidence for these effects in both societies. The findings lend support to the contingency perspective in managing ESOs and provide meaningful implications and guidance to the literature.
Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty: Short Term Clinical and Radiological Outcome

INTRODUCTION: The posterior-stabilized condylar knee prosthesis is one of the condylar prostheses developed at the Hospital for Special Surgery. (1) It was as a modification of the total condylar knee prosthesis which has been called the “gold standard” for total knee arthroplasty longevity. (2) In 1978, it was first implanted at the Hospital for Special Surgery and recent studies proved its durability, Since then it has undergone many design changes. (3)
Dockless bike-sharing systems: what are the implications?

ABSTRACT The emergence of dockless bike-sharing services has revolutionised bike-sharing markets in recent years, and the dramatic growth of shared bike fleets in China, as well as their rapid expansion throughout the world, exceeds prior expectations. An understanding of the impacts of these new dockless bike-sharing systems is of vital importance for system operations, transportation and urban planning research. This paper provides a first overview of the emerging literature on implications of dockless bike-sharing systems for users' travel behaviour, user experience, and relevant social impacts of dockless bike-sharing systems. Our review suggests that the dockless design of bike-sharing systems significantly improves users' experiences at the end of their bike trips. Individuals can instantly switch to a dockless shared bike without the responsibility of returning it back to a designated dock. Additionally, the high flexibility and efficiency of dockless bike-sharing often makes the bike-sharing systems' integration with public transit even tighter than that of traditional public bikes, providing an efficient option for first/last-mile trips. The GPS tracking device embedded in each dockless shared bike enables the unprecedented collection of large-scale riding trajectory data, which allow scholars to analyse people's travel behaviour in new ways. Although many studies have investigated travel satisfaction amongst cyclists, there is a lack of knowledge of the satisfaction with bikeshare trips, including both station-based and dockless bikeshare systems. The availability and usage rates of dockless bike-sharing systems implies that they may seriously impact on individuals' subjective well-being by influencing their satisfaction with their travel experiences, health and social participation, which requires further exploration. The impact of dockless bike-sharing on users' access to services and social activities and the related decreases in social exclusion are also relevant issues about which knowledge is lacking. With the increases in popularity of dockless shared bikes in some cities, issues related to the equity and access and the implications for social exclusion and inequality are also raised.
Loss of the Neuromonitoring Signal on the First Side in Planned Total Thyroidectomy

With an increased use of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM), an adaptation of the resection strategy appears to be necessary in case of an intraoperative loss of signal (LOS) of the first operated side with total thyroidectomy planned. The contralateral side resection with intact recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) function from the surgical point of view, basically has 3 options: 1) no contralateral resection in bilateral goiter, Graves' disease, or low risk thyroid carcinoma (differentiated and medullary thyroid carcinomas) with the aim of 2-stage completion surgery after recovery of nerve function; 2) contralateral subtotal resection ventrally of the RLN plane in benign goiter with a safety distance to the nerve with the aim of avoiding further surgery; and 3) total thyroidectomy as planned for advanced thyroid carcinomas (including undifferentiated thyroid carcinomas) with the aim of immediate postoperative radioiodotherapy. The following document provides a synopsis of the experiences of the Korean Intraoperative Neural Monitoring Society (KINMoS) for the strategy for planned total thyroidectomy and loss of the neuromonitoring signal on the first thyroid lobe.
Evaluation of Drug-induced Liver Injury and its Relationship with NAT2 Gene Polymorphisms in Tuberculosis Patients

Background and purpose: The main purpose of this study was determination of different genotypes and phenotypes of N-acetyltransferase 2 gene and its relationship with drug-induced liver injury among patients in Mazandaran province, Iran, which was done for the first time. Materials and methods: A total of 65 newly diagnosed unrelated pulmonary tuberculosis patients (47 men, 18 women) was enrolled in the study. A combination of polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to investigate different allels of Nacetyltransferase-2. The patients were followed for occurrence of antituberculosis induced hepatotoxicity during the course of treatment. Relationship between N-acetyltransferase-2 phenotypes and antituberculosis induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated. Results: Frequency of slow, intermediate and fast acetylator genotypes in patients were 34%, 60% and 6%, respectively. Hepatotoxicity was diagnosed in 13.64% of slow acetylators, in 2.56% of intermediate acetylators and interestingly in none of the fast acetylators. The Chi-Square Test showed no significant difference between different acetylation phenotypes and risk of hepatotoxicity (P = 0.1086). Conclusion: These results could improve treatment profile, prevent from drug-related adverse effects such as hepatotoxicty and lead to better outcomes in tuberculosis patients.
Coordination and assembly of protein complexes encoded across mitochondrial and nuclear genomes is assisted by CLPP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana

Protein homeostasis in eukaryotic organelles and their progenitor prokaryotes is regulated by a series of proteases including the caseinolytic protease (CLPP). CLPP has essential roles in chloroplast biogenesis and maintenance, but the significance of the plant mitochondrial CLPP remains unknown and factors that aid coordination of nuclear and mitochondrial encoded subunits for complex assembly in mitochondria await discovery. We generated knock-out lines of the single gene for the mitochondrial CLP protease subunit, CLPP2, in Arabidopsis thaliana. Mutants had higher abundance of transcripts from mitochondrial genes encoding OXPHOS protein complexes, while transcripts for nuclear genes encoding other subunits of the same complexes showed no change in abundance. In contrast, the protein abundance of specific nuclear-encoded subunits in OXPHOS complexes I and V increased in CLPP2 knockouts, without accumulation of mitochondrial-encoded counterparts in the same complex. Protein complexes mainly or entirely encoded in the nucleus were unaffected. Analysis of protein import, assembly and function of Complex I revealed that while function was retained, protein homeostasis was disrupted through decreased assembly, leading to accumulation of soluble subcomplexes of nuclear-encoded subunits. Therefore, CLPP2 contributes to the mitochondrial protein degradation network through supporting coordination and assembly of protein complexes encoded across mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. One sentence summary CLPP contributes to the mitochondrial protein degradation network through supporting coordination and assembly of protein complexes encoded across mitochondrial and nuclear genomes.
Fatos e perspectivas do primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação

Este suplemento e dedicado a divulgacao dos resultados colhidos no primeiro inquerito alimentar realizado no Brasil, no qual foram obtidos dois registros em dias nao consecutivos para cada entrevistado. O suplemento contem seis estudos que abordam aspectos ligados as analises da prevalencia de consumo de alimentos, bem como da inadequacao desse consumo em distintos grupos etarios, ao estudo de indicacao analitica para atender ao desenho amostral executado na pesquisa e ao consumo fora do domicilio. O Inquerito Nacional de Alimentacao (INA) foi desenvolvido no contexto da Pesquisa de Orca-mentos Familiares (POF) realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geograﬁ a e Estatistica (IBGE). No INA foram registrados o consumo de dois dias nao consecutivos por 34.003 individuos que residiam em 13.569 domicilios, que correspondem a 25% da amostragem da POF.
Household Food and Nutrition Security: A Case Study of Children on Nutrition Supplementation Program

ABSTRACT A household food and nutrition security measurement of children on the nutrition supplementation programme is the focus of this study. A sample of 136 children aged 6-72 months and their caregivers were drawn from three Pietermaritzburg healthcare facilities. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, using a questionnaire with: a 24-hour recall; Children Food Insecurity Access Scale; Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; Monthly Adequate Household Food Provision; and Household Dietary Diversity Scale. Focus group discussions probed household perceptions and challenges concerning food access and child malnutrition, while anthropometric measurements were taken to assess the children’s nutritional status. Households were food secure by 52 percent and the children by 71 percent Only 63 percent of the children were healthy; while 29 percent and 8 percent were wasting and obese, respectively. Children were indirectly deprived of the right to food for proper development. The household food basket was limited by food access, affecting child diet quality and food intake, and thus threatening their nutrition status. Food and nutrition security is complex because food security does not directly translate to children nutrition security. Rigorous research is required to investigate the drivers, risks and design practical interventions necessary to successfully alleviate food and nutritional insecurity.
Cytotoxic effects and Identification of bioactive metabolites from crude extract of potential probiotic bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefacians CS4, isolated from the gut of freshwater fish Channa striata (Bloch, 1793)

Received: 23/May/2019, Accepted: 15/Jun/2019, Online: 30/Jun/2019 Abstract— In the present study, the crude secondary metabolites were extracted from the potential probiotic bacterium, Bacillus amyloliquefacians CS4 using solvent ethyl acetate and the cytotoxicity of bacterial extract was assessed against HeLa cell line through MTT assay. The crude extract exhibited cytotoxicity effect on HeLa cell lines with the effective half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 121. 65μg/ml. The brine shrimp toxicity assay of crude extract revealed half maximal lethal concentration (LC50) value at 93. 377μg/ml against Artemia salina. The zebra fish (Danio rerio) embryos were treated with different concentrations of extract upto 72 hpf and was found lowest survivability (36.6 %) at 200μg/ml concentration. The bioactive compounds and their functional groups of crude extract were identified using GC-MS and FTIR analyses. The secondary metabolites produced by B. amyloliquefacians CS4 have caused potential cytotoxic effects on cancer cell line and these compounds could be possibly used for the development of therapeutic agents, in relation to cancer drug discovery.
Health Promotion for Older People Performed in Health Sector

Background Health sector plays important role in health promotion for older population (HP4OP). The institutions involved constitute a very differentiated sphere: variety of models, structures, financing methods, different forms of providers and payers. HP4OP requires engagement of health sector and medical/public health professionals. Methods Literature review was used: systematic reviews for English-language papers on HP4OP and sectorial institutions activities (incl.PubMed and the healthPROelderly database). Questionnaires, individual interviews and templates were provided for collecting information from country experts. Due to the low feedback for template distribution personal interviews and desk research methods were used. Results Health sector institutions have been indicated and analysed proving the importance of primary care role, institutional and inter-sectorial cooperation, specifically with local governments and NGOs. The important results showed that the medical professional’s approach has to be changed. Moreover, innovations, new technologies used by professionals and patients may significantly improve activities of health sector oriented on effective and long lasting HP4OP. Conclusions: The research performed provided a set of information for the description of the sectorial role in HP4OP, including barriers and limitations, the prerequisites for the cooperation, good practices regarding health promotion projects/ programs focused on old population. The paper, based on EU project, presents the overall picture of health sector involvement in HP4OP and the statement that various institutional arrangements in EU do not contravene the idea of good practices applicability and importance for the effective implementation of HP4OP programs.
Papillary thyroid cancer and thyroid stimulating hormone: does sex matter?

The relation between histopathological characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and thyroid functioning in patients of different sex was assessed. Levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones (fT3 and fT4) were measured in 576 patients (468 females and 108 males) with histologically confirmed PTC. Extrathyroid extension (ETE) of PTC, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) were assessed in patients of different sex. In addition, age, histological type and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) were considered. We did not find sex differences in PTC staging. However, females demonstrated smaller tumor size and higher microcarcinoma rate, whereas PTC in men was related to a higher LNM incidence. Coexisting HT was found in 33.3% of the observed patients. HT rate was significantly higher in females than in males and was associated with elevated TSH, though, there was no statistically significant relationship between HT and thyroid hormone levels. Coexisting HT significantly decreased the risk of ETE (OR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.44–1.00; P = 0.05) and LNM (OR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.37–0.94; P = 0.028) among males with PTC. However, there was no significant impact of HT on ETE and LNM in females with PTC. The present study showed sex-related differences in TSH levels and microcarcinoma incidence associated with high rate of coexisting HT in females. Coexisting HT was associated with lower rate of LNM and ETE in males that could reflect a potentially protective role of HT in PTC progression.
Is there a role for intraoperative radiation therapy in resectable extremity soft tissue sarcoma beyond external beam radiation therapy

Introduction Surgery with negative margins is the primary and only curative treatment in localised extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS). One of the most important concepts in modern oncology is to focus local treatment not only on achieving the best local control, but also on the preservation of functionality and quality of life of patients [1, 2]. Within such approaches, less extensive surgery is often required in specific anatomical locations, which provides improved functional outcome, but with the necessity of additional local treatment modalities to maintain adequate local control, usually by the use of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). However, in some situations, adequate doses of radiotherapy (RT) cannot be applied without severe side effects to the surrounding normal tissue, and in such situations, the application of a single dose of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) during the surgical procedure might be beneficial. The use of an IORT boost would not only result in smaller postoperative treatment volumes but may also allow the possibility of excluding organs at risk (major nerves or skin for ESTS) from the radiation field, which could reduce late toxicities and improve long-term functional outcome. If applied before postoperative EBRT, an increased wound complication rate might be avoided. Consequently, this would combine the advantage of the postoperative approach with the smaller treatment volumes that, from the preoperative setting, are known to be beneficial [3, 4]. Nevertheless, this technique has some major limitations. For example, IORT is available only at a small number of referral centres and most of the evidence base comes from rather small retrospective analyses with similarly short follow-up and patient cohorts that are not homogeneous. In this interview, two opinion leaders in this field from two Italian sarcoma referral centres attempt to clarify the role of IORT beyond EBRT in radically resected ESTS.
Modelagem do preço de leite via regressão linear múltipla em uma cooperativa de produtores

In Brazil, livestock has already been represented as a complementary activity on farms where the use of animals was basically traction on the mills. With its development over time, it was noted an expansion of this commercial activity with the conquest of new markets becoming one of the major industrial activities responsible for the Brazilian economic support. With this perspective, the objective of this work is to (cid:28)nd a multiple linear model to estimate the best representation for the current price of milk (in reais) of the cooperative members of COFRUL - Cooperativa Mista dos Produtores Rurais de Frutal LTDA, being located in the city of Frutal (MG), in the Tri(cid:226)ngulo Mineiro. In addition, the research aims to provide the company that receives milk with an estimate of the periods of major and minor in(cid:29)uence on the current price, observing the price paid within the state of Minas Gerais and total milk delivered (in liters/month). The months with the lowest prices paid to the producer are: October, January and December, and the months with the highest values are March and June. And the higher the total milk produced in liters/month, the higher the current price of milk paid to the producer in reais/liter.