Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Full Diacritization of the Arabic Text to Improve Screen Readers for the Visually Impaired

This paper aims to find the relationship between the full diacritization of the Arabic text and the quality of the speech synthesized in screen readers and presents a new methodology to develop screen readers for the visually impaired, focusing on preprocessing and diacritization of the text before converting it to audio. First, the actual need for our proposal was measured by conducting a MOS (Mean Opinion Score) questionnaire to evaluate the quality of the speech synthesized before and after full diacritization in the NVDA (https://www.nvda-ar.org/) screen reader. Then, an e-reader was built by integrating two models: the first one is for automatic Arabic diacritization (depending on Shakkala), and the second is a TTS model (depending on Tacotron). The quality of our proposed system was measured in terms of (1) pronunciation and (2) intelligibility, in which our system outperformed the commercial screen readers, NVDA and IBSAR (https://www.sakhr.com), as it recorded 60.67%, 17.67%, and 21.67% as correct, incorrect, and partially correct, respectively, for the isolated word test, and 84% correct results for the homograph test, and 78.50% and 93% correct results, respectively, for the DRT and DMRT tests.
Patch quality and habitat fragmentation shape the foraging patterns of a specialist folivore

Abstract Research on use of foraging patches has focused on why herbivores visit or quit patches, yet little is known about visits to patches over time. Food quality, as reflected by higher nutritional quality and lower plant defenses, and physical patch characteristics, which offer protection from predators and weather, affect patch use and hence should influence their revisitation. Due to the potentially high costs of moving between patches, fragmented habitats are predicted to complicate foraging decisions of many animals. We aimed to determine how food quality, shelter availability and habitat fragmentation influence tree reuse by a specialist folivore, the koala, in a fragmented agricultural landscape. We GPS-tracked 23 koalas in northern New South Wales, Australia and collated number of revisits, average residence time, and average time-to-return to each tree. We measured tree characteristics including food quality (foliar nitrogen and toxic formylated phloroglucinol compounds, FPCs concentrations), tree size, and tree connectedness. We also modeled the costs of locomotion between trees. Koalas re-visited isolated trees with high leaf nitrogen disproportionately often. They spent longer time in trees with high leaf nitrogen, and in large trees used for shelter. They took longer to return to trees with low leaf nitrogen. Tree connectivity reduced travel costs between patches, being either individual or groups of trees. FPC levels had no detectable effect on patch revisitation. We conclude that food quality and shelter drive koala tree re-visits. Scattered, isolated trees with nutrient-rich leaves are valuable resource patches for koalas despite movement costs to reach them.
GAN-Based LiDAR Translation between Sunny and Adverse Weather for Autonomous Driving and Driving Simulation

Autonomous driving requires robust and highly accurate perception technologies. Various deep learning algorithms based on only image processing satisfy this requirement, but few such algorithms are based on LiDAR. However, images are only one part of the perceptible sensors in an autonomous driving vehicle; LiDAR is also essential for the recognition of driving environments. The main reason why there exist few deep learning algorithms based on LiDAR is a lack of data. Recent translation technology using generative adversarial networks (GANs) has been proposed to deal with this problem. However, these technologies focus on only image-to-image translation, although a lack of data occurs more often with LiDAR than with images. LiDAR translation technology is required not only for data augmentation, but also for driving simulation, which allows algorithms to practice driving as if they were commanding a real vehicle, before doing so in the real world. In other words, driving simulation is a key technology for evaluating and verifying algorithms which are practically applied to vehicles. In this paper, we propose a GAN-based LiDAR translation algorithm for autonomous driving and driving simulation. It is the first LiDAR translation approach that can deal with various types of weather that are based on an empirical approach. We tested the proposed method on the JARI data set, which was collected under various adverse weather scenarios with diverse precipitation and visible distance settings. The proposed method was also applied to the real-world Spain data set. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can generate realistic LiDAR data under adverse weather conditions.
Human iNKT Cells Modulate Macrophage Survival and Phenotype

CD1d-restricted invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are unconventional innate-like T cells whose functions highly depend on the interactions they establish with other immune cells. Although extensive studies have been reported on the communication between iNKT cells and macrophages in mice, less data is available regarding the relevance of this crosstalk in humans. Here, we dove into the human macrophage-iNKT cell axis by exploring how iNKT cells impact the survival and polarization of pro-inflammatory M1-like and anti-inflammatory M2-like monocyte-derived macrophages. By performing in vitro iNKT cell-macrophage co-cultures followed by flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrated that antigen-stimulated iNKT cells induce a generalized activated state on all macrophage subsets, leading to upregulation of CD40 and CD86 expression. CD40L blocking with a specific monoclonal antibody prior to co-cultures abrogated CD40 and CD86 upregulation, thus indicating that iNKT cells required CD40-CD40L co-stimulation to trigger macrophage activation. In addition, activated iNKT cells were cytotoxic towards macrophages in a CD1d-dependent manner, killing M1-like macrophages more efficiently than their naïve M0 or anti-inflammatory M2-like counterparts. Hence, this work highlighted the role of human iNKT cells as modulators of macrophage survival and phenotype, untangling key features of the human macrophage-iNKT cell axis and opening perspectives for future therapeutic modulation.
Pore‐scale simulation of mucilage drainage

Compared with bulk soil, rhizosphere has different properties because of the existence of root mucilage, which affects physical, chemical, and microbial processes. The slow response of rhizosphere to changes in water potential buffers water content changes and leads the rhizosphere to be wetter than bulk soil during drying. By affecting connectivity of the liquid and gas phases, mucilage can also influence solute transport and gas diffusion. Overview of the literature and previous models shows the lack of a model that describes the connectivity between different phases in the rhizosphere pore space during wetting and drying processes. A major challenge is that mucilage shows a complex behavior, which at low concentrations is more like a liquid, whereas at higher concentration, dry mucilage becomes a solid. In between, a viscoelastic state is observed where mucilage can be considered as a hydrogel. In this study a three‐dimensional pore‐scale model based on the lattice spring method is introduced and used to simulate drying of mucilage between two soil particles. The model is capable of reproducing spider‐web‐like structures that are specific for mucilage. This three‐dimensional mucilage drying model is qualitatively validated via environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of dry mucilage between glass beads. The proposed model may provide us with a new perspective on hydrodynamic processes within the pore space of the rhizosphere. In addition, the model may help to better understand further important processes that strongly depend on rhizosphere hydraulic dynamics, such as solute transport, connectivity of the liquid phase, root penetration resistance, rhizosheath formation, and microbial activity.
Potential benefits of nutritional supplementation in diabetic sarcopenia

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, one of the metabolic diseases, is a major risk factor for impaired muscle function leading to muscle loss, weakness, and frailty. A lot of studies have suggested that the biological mechanisms which contribute to diabetic sarcopenia, including insulin resistance, altered energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Although different nutritional interventions for diabetic sarcopenia have not been clearly defined, there is no doubt that nutrition plays an essential role in the prevention or delay of muscle loss and maintenance of physical function. In this review, we discuss the recent literature on biological pathways for diabetic sarcopenia and potent nutrients used for attenuating diabetic sarcopenia: dietary proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, and other anti-oxidants for future research.
A Sweeter Pill to Swallow: A Review of Honey Bees and Honey as a Source of Probiotic and Prebiotic Products

Honey bees and honey, have been the subject of study for decades due to their importance in improving health. At times, some of the probiotics may be transferred to the honey stored in the honeycomb. Consumers may benefit from consuming live-probiotics honey, which can aid in suppressing the reproduction of pathogens in their digestive system. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are mainly carbohydrates that promote the growth of native microflora probiotics in the digestive tract to maintain a healthy environment and improve the gut performance of the host. Therefore, this narrative review aims to present and analyze ten years’ worth of information on the probiotic and prebiotic potential of honey bees and honey since not many review articles were found discussing this topic. Results showed that not many studies have been performed on the probiotic and prebiotic aspects of honey bees and honey. If further research is conducted, isolated probiotics from the bee’s gut combined with honey’s prebiotic properties can be manipulated as potential sources of probiotics and prebiotics for human and animal benefits since they appear to be interrelated and function in symbiosis.
Transparent-AI Blueprint: Developing a Conceptual Tool to Support the Design of Transparent AI Agents

Abstract With the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) agents, the transparency of agents has become vital in addressing interaction issues (e.g., trust, usefulness, and understandability). However, determining the transparency of AI agents requires a systematic consideration of complex related factors, including stakeholders, algorithms, context, etc. Thus, in our study, we presented an overview of studies on the transparency of AI agents through multiple-stage bibliometric analysis, and identified an ontological framework of the key concepts relevant to transparent AI. We then built a Transparent-AI Blueprint prototype which is a diagram that visualizes the ontological framework of design concepts. In the subsequent pilot test, we updated Blueprint to the final version, and validated it in a workshop. Our work structurally summarized the design concepts related to the transparency of AI agents, and proposed a useful and practical conceptual design tool that effectively guides designers to operationalize the transparency of AI agents.
Analysis of Burnout Among National Civil Servants and Countermeasures of Positive Psychological Intervention

Burnout is a widespread phenomenon among grassroots civil servants, which exerts a profound influence not only on their work efficiency but also on their public image. This study takes the D District State Tax Bureau of T City, J Province as an example to describe the current situation of burnout among civil servants in the grassroots state taxation department, analyse the contributing factors affecting the professional burnout, and propose intervention measures from a positive psychology perspective.
Enhancing Linkages to HIV Primary Care in Jail Settings

More than 750,000 individuals are held in the nation's jails each day, but over 9 million pass through jails each year. The high turnover presents both opportunities and challenges in providing HIV testing in jails and linking HIV-infected inmates to services during incarceration and after release. Helping high-risk individuals in jails learn their HIV status and linking them to care is an important public health opportunity. The Health Resources and Services Administration is sponsoring a Special Projects of National Significance initiative to enhance linkages to primary care in jail settings through local demonstration projects. The Rollins School of Public Health and Abt Associates serve as the evaluation and support center for the initiative. A consultancy meeting was convened to review program models and strategies for HIV testing and linkages to HIV care in jails and in the community. This report highlights the critical issues that must be considered in implementing the demonstrations.
Craniofacial Sleep Medicine: The Important Role of Dental Providers in Detecting and Treating Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a clinical disorder within the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRDB) which is used to describe abnormal breathing during sleep resulting in gas exchange abnormalities and/or sleep disruption. OSA is a highly prevalent disorder with associated sequelae across multiple physical domains, overlapping with other chronic diseases, affecting development in children as well as increased health care utilization. More precise and personalized approaches are required to treat the complex constellation of symptoms with its associated comorbidities since not all children are cured by surgery (removal of the adenoids and tonsils). Given that dentists manage the teeth throughout the lifespan and have an important understanding of the anatomy and physiology involved with the airway from a dental perspective, it seems reasonable that better understanding and management from their field will give the opportunity to provide better integrated and optimized outcomes for children affected by OSA. With the emergence of therapies such as mandibular advancement devices and maxillary expansion, etc., dentists can be involved in providing care for OSA along with sleep medicine doctors. Furthermore, the evolving role of myofunctional therapy may also be indicated as adjunctive therapy in the management of children with OSA. The objective of this article is to discuss the important role of dentists and the collaborative approach between dentists, allied dental professionals such as myofunctional therapists, and sleep medicine specialists for identifying and managing children with OSA. Prevention and anticipatory guidance will also be addressed.
Efficacy and Safety of Minimally Invasive Surgery Versus Open Laparotomy for Interval Debulking Surgery of Advanced Ovarian Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review and A Meta-Analysis

Objective The selection of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open laparotomy for ovarian cancer (OC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy still remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of MIS versus open laparotomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced OC, so as to provide another option to select optimal surgical procedures for patients with OC. Methods Relevant literature studies about the risks of progression or mortality between women receiving MIS and open laparotomy for interval debulking surgery (IDS) were searched in the online databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library with the following keywords: “ovarian neoplasms”, “minimally invasive surgical procedures”, “laparotomy”, and “neoadjuvant therapy”. Eligible studies were screened out for further meta-analysis. Results Six eligible literature studies, with 643 patients in the MIS group and 2,885 patients in the open laparotomy group, were included in this meta-analysis. No significant differences were detected in the overall survival (OS) of patients with OC who were treated with MIS or open laparotomy [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–1.23; heterogeneity: P = 0.051, I2 = 57.6%]. However, the progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly higher in patients with OC treated with MIS than those treated with laparotomy (HR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.57 to 0.92; heterogeneity: P = 0.276, I2 = 22.4%). The completeness of debulking removal (R0 rate) in the open laparotomy group was not statistically higher compared with the control group (RR = 1.07; 95% CI = 0.93 to 1.23; heterogeneity: P = 0.098, I2 = 52.3%), and no significant differences in residual disease of ≤1 cm (R1) (RR = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.28; heterogeneity: P = 0.330, I2 = 12.6%) and postoperative complications were found between the two groups (RR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.34 to 1.54; heterogeneity: P = 0.055, I2 = 60.6%). Furthermore, the length of stays in hospital was significantly shorter in patients with OC treated with MIS than those treated with open laparotomy (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = −1.21; 95% CI = −1.78 to −0.64; heterogeneity: P < 0.001, I2 = 92.7%]. Conclusions For IDS after NACT in patients with advanced OC, complete cytoreductive surgery with MIS is another feasible and effective choice Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/prospero/display_record. php? ID=CRD42022298519, identifier CRD42022298519
Learners’ perceptions of a collocation instruction and practice component in a Chinese EFL context

ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored the perceptions of EFL students at a Chinese university regarding collocation learning. The participating students were provided with a collocation instruction and practice component over ten weeks within a regular one-semester EFL course. The participants were 15 Chinese first-year non-English major students. The data consisted of semi-structured interviews conducted after the students had completed the intervention component (week 12). Analysis of the transcripts of audio-recorded interviews revealed that the students showed a generally positive attitude towards learning collocations. Also, the collocation component helped the participants raise their awareness of learning collocations, become less dependent on their first language in interpreting and using collocations, and highly value the importance of collocations in writing and translation. The students also expressed some concerns in learning and using collocations. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
Non-pharmacological Management in Palliative Care for Patients With Advanced COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disabling condition associated with progressive airflow limitation and lung tissue damage; its main symptoms are breathlessness, fatigue, cough, and sputum production. In the advanced stage of the disease, these symptoms may severely impact on a person's physical and psychological functioning, with some also developing chronic respiratory failure, associated with blood gas abnormalities. Non-pharmacological interventions can improve quality of life and functioning in the management of people living with advanced COPD. This article will provide an overview of common non-pharmacological methods used in the symptomatic management of severe COPD, including: breathlessness and fatigue management strategies, anxiety management, pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and physical activity (PA), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), airway clearance techniques (ACTs), nutrition and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The importance of a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to people living with COPD will be discussed.
Innovative method for training students to develop enterprising, decision-making and cooperation skills through complex computernetworks team-design

Our paper presents a short overview of the educational methods used in the learning process in telecommunication domain, targeting skills and competences students acquire and develop during the semester and focusing on the ones that are most valuable and appreciated on the labor market after graduation. Our research of the market shows that besides basic engineering knowledge, skills like initiative, team-playing, business analysis, decision-making, marketing and creative project presentation are considered very valuable assets by HR recruiters. We implement and test an improved method that combines classic techniques with the use of modern digital tools, emphasizing on specific tasks that coach the student how to deal with real markets, extract valuable data through analysis, design up-to-date computer-networks, make correlated decisions based also on economic arguments, team working and assume responsibilities. This is achieved through a real-case study and project themes for computer-networks that involve real situations with technical and budgetary challenges, market analysis and research through online facilities and dealing with specialized software for network design and simulation with a creative presentation. The presented approach is intended to prepare faculty staff to implement innovative and self-improving teaching methods in engineering educational process and thus make an educational reform happen [1].
Blockchain: Funcionamiento y pertinencia en sectores públicos y privados

La primera y más emblemática aplicación de la tecnología blockchain es la criptomoneda denominada bitcoin, que tiene un valor de mercado superior a un billón de dólares y es aceptada como moneda de cambio en múltiples comercios. Sin embargo, actualmente existen muchas y muy diversas aplicaciones de blockchain ajenas al mercado financiero. El objetivo del artículo es presentar una descripción de los principales componentes de blockchain, a fin de que los lectores tengan elementos técnicos que les permitan introducirse en el campo de las tecnologías distribuidas y sus posibles aplicaciones, destacando la existencia de un sinfín de industrias y sectores, en donde empresas y gobiernos están utilizando esta tecnología para mejorar sus procesos y resultados.
The Central Circadian Clock Protein TaCCA1 Regulates Seedling Growth and Spike Development in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The biological functions of the circadian clock on growth and development have been well elucidated in model plants, while its regulatory roles in crop species, especially the roles on yield-related traits, are poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the core clock gene CIRCADIAN CLOCK-ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) homoeologs in wheat and studied their biological functions in seedling growth and spike development. TaCCA1 homoeologs exhibit typical diurnal expression patterns, which are positively regulated by rhythmic histone modifications including histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9Ac), and histone H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3). TaCCA1s are preferentially located in the nucleus and tend to form both homo- and heterodimers. TaCCA1 overexpression (TaCCA1-OE) transgenic wheat plants show disrupted circadian rhythmicity coupling with reduced chlorophyll and starch content, as well as biomass at seedling stage, also decreased spike length, grain number per spike, and grain size at the ripening stage. Further studies using DNA affinity purification followed by deep sequencing [DNA affinity purification and sequencing (DAP-seq)] indicated that TaCCA1 preferentially binds to sequences similarly to “evening elements” (EE) motif in the wheat genome, particularly genes associated with photosynthesis, carbon utilization, and auxin homeostasis, and decreased transcriptional levels of these target genes are observed in TaCCA1-OE transgenic wheat plants. Collectively, our study provides novel insights into a circadian-mediated mechanism of gene regulation to coordinate photosynthetic and metabolic activities in wheat, which is important for optimal plant growth and crop yield formation.