Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Übertragung und Änderung der Determinations qualitäten in Antennenscheiben-Kulturen von Drosophila melanogaster

Die Imaginalscheiben von Drosophila sind ein ausserordentlich gunstiges Objekt fur das Studium von Determinations- und Differenzierungsprozessen. Die einzelnen Epidermiszellen bilden eine Vielfalt von Chitinstrukturen, die in charakteristischen Mustern angeordnet sind und ein genaues Zuordnen zu bestimmten Organen und Organteilen ermoglichen. Da Borsten, Sockel und Harchen (Trichome) je aus einer einzelnen Epidermiszelle entstehen, kann selbst die Differenzierungsleistung der Einzelzelle untersucht werden. Bei Drosophila steht uns ausserdem eine reiche Auswahl an Markierungsgenen und Mutanten, die in Determinations- und Differenzierungsvorgange eingreifen, zur Verfugung. Die Differenzierungsleistung von Imaginalscheiben und Scheibenfragmenten kann im Transplantationsexperiment gepruft werden (vergl. die verschiedenen Arbeiten von Hadorn und Mitarbeitern). Dissoziations- und Reaggregationsversuche geben uber die Leistungen der Einzelzelle Aufschluss (Hadorn, Anders & Ursprung, 1959; Ursprung & Hadorn, 1962; Nothiger, 1964). Ferner konnen Zellpopulationen aus Imaginalscheiben im Abdomen adulter Fliegen in Dauerkultur gehalten werden (Hadorn, 1963, 1964, 1965 a b , 1966), und neuerdings ist auch die Kultur in vitro in begrenztem Masse gelungen (vergl. I. Schneider, 1964).
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MACHINE LEARNING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN NATIONAL MAPPING AGENCIES: ENHANCING ORDNANCE SURVEY WORKFLOW

Abstract. National Mapping agencies (NMA) are frequently tasked with providing highly accurate geospatial data for a range of customers. Traditionally, this challenge has been met by combining the collection of remote sensing data with extensive field work, and the manual interpretation and processing of the combined data. Consequently, this task is a significant logistical undertaking which benefits the production of high quality output, but which is extremely expensive to deliver. Therefore, novel approaches that can automate feature extraction and classification from remotely sensed data, are of great potential interest to NMAs across the entire sector. Using research undertaken at Great Britain’s NMA; Ordnance Survey (OS) as an example, this paper provides an overview of the recent advances at an NMA in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) based applications. Examples of these approaches are in automating the process of feature extraction and classification from remotely sensed aerial imagery. In addition, recent OS research in applying deep (convolutional) neural network architectures to image classification are also described. This overview is intended to be useful to other NMAs who may be considering the adoption of similar approaches within their workflows.
The Effect of Cholestyramine on the Elimination of Cholesterol as Bile Acids in Patients with Hyperlipoproteinaemia Type II and IV

Abstract. The turnover of 14 C‐cholic acid and 3 H‐chenodeoxycholic acid was studied in hyperlipaemic patients before and during treatment with cholestyramine. — In five female patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia type IIa the pool size and turnover of cholic acid as well as the total formation of bile acids were significantly lower than in female normolipaemic controls. During treatment with cholestyramine, cholic acid synthesis rose 4–18 fold and the turnover of chenodeoxycholic acid increased about twice. In three of the patients these changes were associated with a normalization of the serum cholesterol levels. Mainly due to the high turnover of cholic acid, total bile acid synthesis was above the normal range in the five male patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia type IV. During treatment with cholestyramine, the serum lipids and cholic acid formation remained unchanged but the turnover of chenodeoxycholic acid increased by a factor of about two. This resulted in a decrease of the abnormally high initial ratio between the formation of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. The unequal response to cholestramine treatment is taken to be a further indication that hyperlipoproteinaemia type II and type IV are different entities of disease affecting cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.
Predicting Survival Time for Patients Diagnosed with Gliomas Using Compressed Representation of Brain MRI Scans

In this paper we investigate the problem of predicting survival time (in days) for patients diagnosed with high grade gliomas (gliobastoma multiforme) using their brain MRI studies. To approach this problem, we ﬁrst reduce the input features into a compressed representation, learned using an unsupervised 3D convolutional neural network based autoencoder which is trained to predict its own input. Once the most informative features are learned, they are further reduced in dimensionality using singular value decomposition. We then try a number of regression based machine learning methods on this reduced data. We observe the best mean squared error (MSE) of 125048 using K-nearest neighbours. Our observed results in terms of MSE are close to the state of the art methods as of writing this paper. However given the regressors’ correlation results and domain knowledge, we conclude that using brain MRI data alone in this framework is insufﬁcient to produce predictions with high correlation.
INTELLIGIBILITY ENHANCEMENT APPROACH FOR ACQUIRING ENHANCED SPEECH SIGNAL IN NOISY ENVIRONMENTS

Speech intelligibility is an important measure of the effectiveness or adequacy of a communication system or to communicate in a noisy environment. In many daily life situations it is important to understand what is being said, for example over a loudspeaker system, and to be able to react to acoustic signals of different kinds. Inherent noise presence in message production process has huge impact. Both production and interpretation noise processes have a fixed signal-to-noise ratio. A simple and effective model of human communication is proposed in this work which has ability to enhance the intelligent speech in noisy environment. Simulation results yields better performance over traditional state-of-methods.
Evaluation of stand establishment and growth performance of wheat in response to different water potential levels.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), oldest plants in cultivation by the mankind, is extensively planted worldwide due to its adaptation to a range of climates. Population growth, especially in agrarian regions will demand more production over time in the future. Limitation of available water for crops and future expected climate change might increase stress for wheat production in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world (Chen et al., 2012; Akmal et al., 2014). According to an estimate, drought may affect 99 million ha wheat in developing countries and 60 million ha in the developed countries (Rajaram, 2000). Water stress could reduce grain yield with an average loss from 17 to 70% (Nouri-Ganbalani et al., 2009). Although in comparison with other cereals crops e.g. maize, wheat is fairly drought tolerant (Akmal and Hirasawa, 2004). It can successfully be grown with little but well distributed precipitation in early development phase. A small quantity of rain in early wheat growth can results no loss in the grain yield. Crop failure of wheat is mostly reported when soil moisture is insufficient to complete germination and/or acute short for the initial establishment of young a wheat plant in early vegetative development phases. Once the seedling established successfully and passed from seedling to plant stage, it become auto-tropic. Its growth becomes less susceptible to environmental fluctuations while plant is able to evolve mechanism responding to a variety of environmental signals (i.e. soil moisture, light, temperature and gravity etc.). These signals can play significant role in controlling growth mechanism within the plant body. The limited water undoubtedly has a significant impact on plant growth and may cause considerable loss in productivity worldwide (Martin et al., 2006). Growth is results of evapotranspiration (Ca. 200-1000 times of body dry matter) during the plant life cycle (Hasiao and Xu, 2000). It mainly keeps leaf open for adequate CO2 exchange to build photoassimilates for body maintenance. Under deficient water condition, both leaf and shoot growth is inhibited (Nonami and Boyer, 1990; Chazen and Neumann, 1994) and/or roots elongation is continued even under complete inhibition of shoot (Westgate and Boyer, 1985; Spollen et al., 1993). It may be possible that Pak. J. Agri. Sci., Vol. 52(3), 571-586; 2015 ISSN (Print) 0552-9034, ISSN (Online) 2076-0906 http://www.pakjas. com.pk
Risk factors for cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury: A pilot study on the usefulness of genetic variants for predicting nephrotoxicity in clinical practice

Several studies have reported risk factors for predicting cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), including old age, female sex, smoking, hypoalbuminemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, a high body surface area, advanced cancer and the total dose of cisplatin administered. Recently, some studies have focused on the associations between genetic alterations in the genes coding for renal drug transporters, such as organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2), and the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. However, genetic variants have not been fully elucidated for clinical use. Patients who had received cisplatin (≥50 mg/m2)-containing chemotherapy as a first-line treatment were considered as eligible for the present study. The occurrence of AKI and its associations with baseline characteristics, conventional biomarkers and single-nucleotide variants (SNV) were assessed. AKI was defined as an increase in the serum creatinine level of >0.3 mg/dl or to 1.5-2 times the baseline level. Genotyping was conducted using the DMET platform (DMET Plus), which characterizes 1,936 genetic variants (1,931 SNV and 5 copy number variations) in 231 genes. Between April 2014 and June 2016, a total of 28 patients (22 men and 6 women) were enrolled. AKI occurred in 8 of the 28 enrolled patients (28.6%). Univariate analyses demonstrated that the urinary β2-microglobulin level and body surface area were significantly higher in the AKI group (P<0.05). As regards the associations between AKI and SNV, none of the examined SNV were found to be associated with cisplatin-induced AKI. The findings of the present study suggested that certain clinical factors were associated with the onset of AKI, but no associations were identified with genetic factors, including OCT2. Although this was a small pilot study, the findings indicated that genetic factors may not be of value for predicting AKI in clinical practice.
Fast Outlier Detection Algorithm Based on Local Density and Connectivity

The dissimilarity measurement and outlier factor calculation based on the k-nearest neighbor field have always been important research directions in outlier detection algorithms. The existing k-neighbor-based density outlier detection algorithm LOF is between the point to be measured and the k-nearest neighbor. The outlier factor of this point is calculated by the density comparison, but the method is prone to misjudgment of boundary points when the detection data is irregularly distributed. Although the INFLO algorithm improves this situation by introducing inverse k-nearest neighbors, this method not only increases the amount of calculation but also does not improve the situation where the LOF is sensitive to the value of k. When the value of k changes, the detection result of INFLO may be biased . To solve this problem, an outlier detection algorithm based on local density and connectivity (LDCO) is proposed. By combining the concept of mutual nearest neighbor points, the correlation between the various neighbor points and the degree of outlier of the data points is analyzed , and a new pruning strategy is proposed. The dissimilarity measure based on connectivity is introduced to improve the algorithm's ability to handle irregular data sets. The theoretical analysis and experimental results prove that the accuracy and efficiency of the LDCO algorithm is higher than LOF and INFLO.
The role of the antennae and maxillary palps in mediating food preference by larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The role of antennae and maxillary palps in mediating food preferences by Manduca sexta (Johan.) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) was examined. Fifth‐instar larvae, having different chemosensory organs remaining after microsurgery, were tested in two‐choice feeding assays using three solanaceous host species Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.), Datura innoxia (Mill.), and Solanum pseudocapsicum (L.), an acceptable non‐host Raphanus sativus (L.) (Cruciferae), and an unacceptable non‐host Pelargonium hortorum (L.H. Bailey) (Geraniaceae). Larvae had a choice between leaf discs of two plant species or between one species and moist filter paper discs (water).
Determination of tannin levels in multi-purpose Kenyan trees and fodder crops, their variation and effect on protein digestibility in ruminants

Energy and protein are the major limiting nutrients in dairy production on the small scale mixed farms in Kenya. Commercial feed supplements are expensive and therefore multipurpose fodder trees (MPT) and forage crops are advocated as the alternative supplements, because they are inexpensive, able to provide green forage even in dry season and have high protein content. These trees have tannins whose levels, seasonal and altitude distribution have not been established. Previous studies have indicated that tannins may have either beneficial effects like bloat control and increased protein bypass, or deleterious effects like the reduction feed intake and digestibility of protein in animals fed on tanniferous feed. The objectives of this study were to determine the tannin levels in the MPT, as influenced by altitude and season, and the effect of these tannins on ruminal degradation and intestinal digestion of the
Antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins in patients with Crohn's disease

Abstract. The immunologic basis of inflammatory bowel disease has been the focus of interest of a series of studies on Crohn's disease and the process of immune sensitization at the gastrointestinal mucosal level is functionally poorly understood. To date only few contradictory reports concerning the incidence of autoantibodies in patients with this disease exist. The aim of this study was to investigate the sera drawn from 60 patients suffering from biopsy‐proven Crohn's disease to evaluate the prevalence of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens and cytoskeletal proteins. Using standard methods, no anti‐nuclear antibodies or antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens could be detected. All sera were also negative for antibodies to double‐stranded DNA, anti‐mitochondrial antibodies, and antibodies to gastric parietal cells. Using sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays with purified antigens and Western blotting with cytoskeletal proteins of human intestinal cells, the following antibodies could be demonstrated: cytokeratin 18 autoantibodies (IgG 20.0%; IgM 6.7%; IgA 13.3%), actin antibodies (IgG 36.7%; IgM 48.3%, IgA 26.7%), desmin antibodies (IgG 6.7%; IgM 15.08%; IgA 50%), vimentin antibodies (IgG 3.3%; IgM 16.7%; IgA 10.0%) and tropomyosin antibodies (IgG 3.3%; IgM 3.3%, IgA 5.0%). Statistically significant correlations could be found for levels of cytokeratin 18 antibodies (IgM‐type) and the BEST index of activity, and for levels of desmin antibodies (IgM‐type) and the van HEES index of activity. Highest levels could be measured for actin antibodies (IgG‐type) in patients with isolated disease manifestation in the colon. The mechanism of induction of autoantibodies against cytoskeletal components in Crohn's disease still remains obscure. Unmasking of hidden antigens after cell injury during the inflammatory process of disease might lead to sensitization and antibody production. The pattern of antibodies in patients with Crohn's disease seems to be different compared with that of connective tissue diseases.
Quantitative Morphometric Analysis to Infer the Hydrological Behaviour of the East Suvarnamukhi basin in Tumkur district, Karnataka using Remote Sensing, GIS and bAd (bearing, Azimuth and drainage Calculator)

Drainage morphometric analysis of the East Suvarnamukhi river was carried out to understand the quantitative fluvial characteristics for sustainable management of various resources in the basin area. The primary data source used for the delineation of the East Suvarnamukhi basin and also to extract the drainage network by hydrology toolset in GIS environment is CartoSAT-1 DEM. The linear, areal and relief parameters were calculated by using bAd calculator. Spatial thematic maps of various morphometric parameters were constructed using visual basic programme and Arc GIS10 software. The results obtained indicate that the East Suvarnamukhi river is a 6 order stream and drainage network in the basin is dendritic to semi dendritic type. The drainage pattern in the basin is not influenced by geologic structure and the basin has moderate permeable subsoil and thick vegetative cover. The values of elongation ratio and circular ratio imply that the basin is elongated. The stream frequency (Fs), bifurcation ratio (Rb) and length of overland flow (Lg) parameters of the basin indicate that the groundwater potential of the area is moderate to good. The present study would help for assessing the suitability of the location for artificial recharge of water and also for soil and water conservation measures in the area.
Effets des huiles essentielles de quelques plantes aromatiques sur Enterococcus faecalis responsable d’infections d’origine dentaire

The present paper highlights the drying effect on yield and activity of some medicinal and aromatic plants. For this purpose we have chosen nine plants, four trees and five herbs. Each plant species represents one of the great aromatic families in Mediterranean. Drying was carried out at the dark at room temperature. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation, where, we have noticed a significant decrease in yield of essential oil after drying in all plants. This loss was in strong relation with moisture decrease by drying. Drying effect on antimicrobial activity of essential oils has been evaluated by agar disk diffusion method. We have found a significant decrease in antimicrobial activity among all active essential oils after drying. Finally, we have concluded that drying significantly affects the essential oil quantity and quality.
Negotiating change: Transition as a central concept for information literacy

Transition forms a dynamic concept that has been underexplored within information literacy research and practice. This article uses the grounded theory of mitigating risk, which was produced through doctoral research into the information literacy practices of language-learners, as a lens for a more detailed examination of transition and its role within information literacy. This framing demonstrates that information literacy mediates transition through supporting preparation, connection, situatedness and confidence within a new setting and facilitating a shift in identity. This article concludes by discussing the important role that time and temporality, resistance and reflexivity play within transition as well as outlining implications for information literacy instruction and future research into time, affect and materiality.
"Gradual" evolution and molar scaling in the evolution of the mammoth

SUMMARY: The assumption of gradual, directional change in molar morphology through the mammoth lineage has to be tested using samples dated independently of molar morphology itself. Moreover, lamellar frequency can be a misleading index of evolutionary advancement if molar size is changing at the same time. In the transition from M. trogontherii to M. primigenius in Europe, gradualistic increase in lamellar frequency is due to size reduction compressing molar plates. Plate number, a better index of evolutionary advancement, shows stasis around c. 500-200 ka BP, followed by a rapid shift to M. primigenius morphology.
Continuous Human Activity Classification From FMCW Radar With Bi-LSTM Networks

Recognition of human movements with radar for ambient activity monitoring is a developed area of research that yet presents outstanding challenges to address. In real environments, activities and movements are performed with seamless motion, with continuous transitions between activities of different duration and a large range of dynamic motions, compared with discrete activities of fixed-time lengths which are typically analysed in the literature. This paper proposes a novel approach based on recurrent LSTM and Bi-LSTM network architectures for continuous activity monitoring and classification. This approach uses radar data in the form of a continuous temporal sequence of micro-Doppler or range-time information, differently from from other conventional approaches based on convolutional networks that interpret the radar data as images. Experimental radar data involving 15 participants and different sequences of 6 actions are used to validate the proposed approach. It is demonstrated that using the Doppler-domain data together with the Bi-LSTM network and an optimal learning rate can achieve over 90% mean accuracy, whereas range-domain data only achieved approximately 76%. The details of the network architectures, insights in their behaviour as a function of key hyper-parameters such as the learning rate, and a discussion on their performance across are provided in the paper.
Curriculum Content Quality and Educational Wastage in Secondary Schools of the Littoral Region of Cameroon

Education is a vital tool in the developmental process of any given nation and therefore a critical examination of any weakness in education is essential, for it has a bearing at both individual and national fronts. In spite of the heavy investments made by the Cameroon government on education, the delivery of quality secondary education still faces various challenges. One of these biggest challenges is wastage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of curriculum content quality on educational wastage in English speaking secondary schools of the Littoral Region of Cameroon. This objective was then transformed into research question and hypothesis. The mixed research methodology with an explanatory sequential design was used. The accessible population of the study was made up of 2166 elements from where a sample of 568 participants was selected, distributed as follows: 412 lower sixth students, 112 teachers, 12 vice principals/deans of studies and 32 Heads of Department. Data were collected using questionnaire, interview guides and focus group discussion guides. The reliability coefficients for the students’ and teachers’ questionnaire were of 0.743 and 0.768 respectively. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. The hypothesis was tested through inferential statistics using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings revealed that curriculum content has an inverse influence on educational wastage. The study then recommended that more hands-on activities be included in the curriculum, while secondary schools should have direct links with industries that can prepare teachers and students towards job creation.