Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The significance of sleep quality in euthymic bipolar patients from Nigeria

Background Bipolar disorder is highly under-researched in Africa. Existing studies show that racial/ethnic disparities exist for sleep quality. Poor sleep quality in bipolar disorder causes significant morbidity and mortality even during periods of euthymia. Aim This study aimed to assess sleep quality and its correlates amongst euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder from Nigeria. Setting The study was carried out in a teaching hospital, and state hospital, in Ibadan, Nigeria. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 76 euthymic bipolar patients aged between 18 and 60 years, meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. Euthymia was defined as having a score of ≤ 5 on the Young Mania Rating Scale and < 8 on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results A total of 37 (48.7%) participants had poor quality sleep. Sleep quality was associated with marital status (p = 0.013) and suicide plan (p = 0.047). Participants with good sleep quality had higher total sleep duration, lower time to fall asleep (sleep latency), better subjective quality of sleep, were less likely to use sleep medications and had less daytime dysfunction than participants with poor sleep quality. All p-values were < 0.05. Subjective quality of sleep, ongoing use of sleep medication, daytime dysfunction were independently associated with poor sleep quality. Conclusion Poor sleep quality frequently persists during euthymic periods in patients with bipolar disorder. The correlates identified can be targeted for intervention during treatment.
A Tailored Approach for Appendicular Impending and Pathologic Fractures in Solid Cancer Metastases

Simple Summary Patients with bone metastases often suffer with complications, such as bone fractures, which have a substantial negative impact on clinical outcomes. To optimize clinical results, a tailored approach should be defined for managing impending or pathologic fractures in each individual case. The ability to control systemic disease, the extent, location and nature of bone metastases, and the biology of the underlying tumor, are the main factors that will define the strategy to follow. Abstract Advances in medical and surgical treatment have played a major role in increasing the survival rates of cancer patients with metastatic bone disease. The clinical course of patients with bone metastases is often impaired by bone complications, such as bone fractures, which have a substantial negative impact on clinical outcomes. To optimize clinical results and prevent a detrimental impact on patients’ health, a tailored approach should be defined for any given patient. The optimal management of impending or pathologic fractures is unknown and relies on a multidisciplinary approach to tailor clinical decisions to each individual patient. The ability to control systemic disease, the extent, location and nature of bone metastases, and the biology of the underlying tumor, are the main factors that will define the strategy to follow. The present review covers the most recent data regarding impending and pathologic fractures in patients with bone metastases, and discusses the medical and surgical management of patients presenting with metastatic bone disease in different clinical settings.
Environmentally Friendly Techniques for the Recovery of Polyphenols from Food By-Products and Their Impact on Polyphenol Oxidase: A Critical Review

Even though food by-products have many negative financial and environmental impacts, they contain a considerable quantity of precious bioactive compounds such as polyphenols. The recovery of these compounds from food wastes could diminish their adverse effects in different aspects. For doing this, various nonthermal and conventional methods are used. Since conventional extraction methods may cause plenty of problems, due to their heat production and extreme need for energy and solvent, many novel technologies such as microwave, ultrasound, cold plasma, pulsed electric field, pressurized liquid, and ohmic heating technology have been regarded as alternatives assisting the extraction process. This paper highlights the competence of mild technologies in the recovery of polyphenols from food by-products, the effect of these technologies on polyphenol oxidase, and the application of the recovered polyphenols in the food industry.
Genetics and Molecular Biology

Erythropoietin (EPO), supports the function and survival of neurons through astrocytes and has a protective role in neonatal asphyxia brain injury; yet, its mechanism of action remains unclear. As a neuroprotective factor, EPO is also used in the treatment of various diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, by decreasing inflammatory reaction, resisting apoptosis, and lowering oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the effect and mechanism of EPO on promoting human brain glial cell proliferation under hypoxia in vitro. Under CoC12-induced hypoxia, after adding EPO, high-throughput sequencing was used to screen out meaningful up-regulated and significant differentially expressed genes PI3K, IKKα CDK1 related to proliferation, and make further verification by qPCR and western blotting. Under hypoxia, EPO promoted cell proliferation and the expression of PI3K while this effect was inhibited (along with a decrease of downstream genes IKKα and CDK1 decreased) after adding PI3K inhibitor to cell culture. EPO can promote cell proliferation and CDK1 expression, while after inhibiting CDK1 expression, the promotion of EPO on cell proliferation was eliminated. These data proved that EPO promotes the proliferation of U251 cells by activating the PI3K-IKKα-CDK1 signaling pathway under CoC12-induced hypoxia.
Modeling and test on height adjustment system of electrically-controlled air suspension for agricultural vehicles

To reduce the damages of pavement, vehicle components and agricultural product during transportation, an electric control air suspension height adjustment system of agricultural transport vehicle was studied by means of simulation and bench test. For the oscillation phenomenon of vehicle height in driving process, the mathematical model of the vehicle height adjustment system was developed, and the controller of vehicle height based on single neuron adaptive PID control algorithm was designed. The control model was simulated via Matlab/Simulink, and bench test was conducted. Results show that the method is feasible and effective to solve the agricultural vehicle body height unstable phenomenon in the process of switching. Compared with other PID algorithms, the single neuron adaptive PID control in agricultural transport vehicle has shorter response time, faster response speed and more stable switching state. The stability of the designed vehicle height adjustment system and the ride comfort of agricultural transport vehicle were improved. Keywords: agricultural transport vehicle, electric control, air suspension, height adjustment system, vehicle body height, single neuron adaptive PID DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe. 20160902.1852 Citation: Chen Y X, Chen L, Wang R C, Xu X, Shen Y J, Liu Y L. Modeling and test on height adjustment system of electrically-controlled air suspension for agricultural vehicles. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2016; 9(2): 40－47.
Non-local Matching of Superpixel-based Deep Features for Color Transfer

: In this article, we propose a new method for matching high-resolution feature maps from CNNs using attention mechanisms. To avoid the quadratic scaling problem of all-to-all attention, this method relies on a superpixel-based pooling dimensionality reduction strategy. From this pooling, we efﬁciently compute non-local similarities between pairs of images. To illustrate the interest of these new methodological blocks, we apply them to the problem of color transfer between a target image and a reference image. While previous methods for this application can suffer from poor spatial and color coherence, our approach tackles these problems by leveraging on a robust non-local matching between high-resolution low-level features. Finally, we highlight the interest in this approach by showing promising results in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.
Experimental Study of Gust Effects on Micro Air Vehicles

Micro air vehicles have great potential for both civilian and military applications, but for successful deployment they must operate robustly in real world environments including flight in winds. An experimental study was performed to quantify the performance of a micro coaxial helicopter in realistic wind conditions. The experimental study evaluated different representative scenarios including: hover, forward flight, and landing on the edge of a rooftop. Each scenario was flight tested in nominal no wind cases and different wind levels. A synthetic wind generation system was used to create wind disturbances, and digital anemometers were used to measure wind magnitude and velocity at discrete spatial points. A motion capture system was used to measure vehicle position and attitude during flight tests as well as provide feedback for a conventional autopilot. Results show dramatic performance degradation in all wind environments. Flight observations reveal the micro coaxial helicopter could successfully operate in light winds with magnitudes of less than 2 m/s.
Performance assessment instrument to assess the senior high students’ psychomotor for the salt hydrolysis material

The purposes of this study were to develop a performance assessment instrument for assessing the competence of psychomotor high school students on salt hydrolysis concepts. The design used in this study was the Research & Development which consists of three phases: development, testing and application of instruments. Subjects in this study were high school students in class XI science, which amounts to 93 students. In the development phase, seven validators validated 17 tasks instrument. In the test phase, we divided 19 students into three-part different times to conduct performance test in salt hydrolysis lab work and observed by six raters. The first, the second, and the third groups recpectively consist of five, six, and eight students. In the application phase, two raters observed the performance of 74 students in the salt hydrolysis lab work in several times. The results showed that 16 of 17 tasks of performance assessment instrument developed can be stated to be valid with CVR value of 1,00 and 0,71.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Are an Influential Factor in Improving the Phytoremediation of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium

The increasing expansion of mines, factories, and agricultural lands has caused many changes and pollution in soils and water of several parts of the world. In recent years, metal(loid)s are one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants, which directly and indirectly enters the food cycle of humans and animals, resulting in irreparable damage to their health and even causing their death. One of the most important missions of ecologists and environmental scientists is to find suitable solutions to reduce metal(loid)s pollution and prevent their spread and penetration in soil and groundwater. In recent years, phytoremediation was considered a cheap and effective solution to reducing metal(loid)s pollution in soil and water. Additionally, the effect of soil microorganisms on increasing phytoremediation was given special attention; therefore, this study attempted to investigate the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in the phytoremediation system and in reducing contamination by some metal(loid)s in order to put a straightforward path in front of other researchers.
MEDIA MATTERS: NUDGING DIGITAL MEDIA INTO A MANUAL DESIGN PROCESS (AND VICE VERSA)

This paper reports on a media class offered during the 1995-96 academic year at the University of Oregon. This course, a renovation of an existing 'manual' media offering targeted intermediate Ievel graduate and undergraduate students who, while relatively experienced design students, were relatively inexperienced users of digital media for design. This course maintained a pedagogical emphasis on design process, a point of view that media are powerful influences on design thinking, and an attitude toward experimentation (and reflection) in matters of media and design process. Among the experiments explored were fitting together digital with manual media, and using digital media to collaborate in an electronic workspace. The experience offers opportunity to consider how digital media might be more widely integrated with what remains a predominantly 'manual' design process and media context for many architecture schools and practices.
A Protocol Review for IPTV and WebTV Multimedia Delivery Systems

The growth of IP Networks for media delivery is increasing day by day. Cisco White Paper [1] and [2] provided interesting data that charts the increase IP Network use and the increase of Internet traffic dedicated to Video. Fig. 1 depicts the 2010 broadband traffic by application subcategory [1] and Fig. 2 shows the global consumer video 2010-2015 by category per month [2]. According to [2], projected data growth over IP Networks between 2010 and 2015 will be 55%, comprising a 32% increase of fixed Internet, and 24% of Managed IP and 92% mobile Internet. Internet video traffic in 2010 was 40% of total traffic although Cisco also forecast that this will reach 62% by 2015. Even geographical areas traditionally behind in Internet Video such as The Middle East and Africa will grow by 105%. Interesting data published in [1] details how Internet Video tripled in 2010 and will grow 17-times by 2015. In 2010 Internet Video watched on a TV set traffic was 7% of Internet video traffic, this is projected to increase to 16% by 2015 [2]. The same source predicts that Video-on-Demand (VoD) will triple by 2015. In 2011 VoD High Definition (HD) video will surpass Standard Definition (SD) and it is projected that 77% of VoD traffic will be HD by 2015.
Intangible Heritage and Territorial Identity in the Multifunctional Agrarian Systems of Vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)

Vine cultivation has a strong territorial character derived from the environmental, social, cultural and economic interactions with the space in which the vines are grown. In Spain, this activity is clearly representative of Mediterranean agrarian landscapes, where vineyards have a dynamic and multifunctional character, as a consequence of the social and economic processes that they have always incorporated. This character is also complex as it has natural and anthropic components. The links between vineyards and territories drive the configuration of identity-based feelings in local communities, which identify with the work, rituals and symbols that are present in the production and manufacturing processes. Therefore, territorial identity is a strategic key for the necessary revalorisation of endogenous resources, and it is a factor of territorial development, as well as an element that is needed to reaffirm the multifunctional character of the winemaking system. The aim of this paper is to study these kinds of identity-based elements in the vineyards of Castilla-La Mancha, the main wine production region in Spain, emphasising the elements that are related to intangible heritage, and specifically, their roles in festivals and folklore, which reinforce the territorial and multifunctional character of agrarian land use. In other words, not only do these factors promote the education and awareness of local cultures about the values of their territory from a heritage perspective, but they also have potential as tourist attractions, which can promote economic diversification of agricultural activities in the recent debates between productivism and post-productivism.
High-Power-Factor Vernier Permanent-Magnet Machines

Vernier permanent-magnet (VPM) machines are well known for high torque density but low power factor. This paper deals with the low power factor of VPM machines. The goal is not obtained by reducing the electrical loading or adjusting current advance angle but by proposing a novel vernier topology, i.e., a dual-stator spoke-array (DSSA) VPM topology. In this paper, the characteristics of the DSSA VPM topology, such as active part, auxiliary mechanical structure, and rotor anisotropy, are analyzed in detail. Performances are evaluated based on finite-element analysis, including power factor, torque density, and cogging torque. The results show that the DSSA VPM topology exhibits high power factor, viz., ~0.9, and significantly high torque capability. The verification of the mechanical structure scheme is also done in this paper. Finally, theoretical analyses are validated by the experimental results by a 44-rotor pole 24-slot DSSA VPM prototype.
Opportunities and Barriers for FinTech in SAARC and ASEAN Countries

This article assesses the opportunities and challenges for different categories of FinTechs in the SAARC and ASEAN regions. We consider the global financial inclusion data released by the World Bank and map the responses to gain insights into the opportunities and challenges for FinTechs in the respective regions. We develop a new index, termed the FinTech Opportunity Index (FOI), to conceptualise the opportunities and barriers based on individual savings, borrowings, purchasing behaviour, and payment preferences. We note that FinTech services have potential opportunities for expansion in the ASEAN regions but less so in the SAARC regions. The need for different types of FinTech services varies between regions. Services such as crowdfunding, neobanks, and InsurTech have potential in the ASEAN regions, especially with the positive attitude towards entrepreneurship and asset investments. In the SAARC regions, InsurTechs linked to health care has potential along with LendTechs and neobanks. We further note that males, and the young are more likely adopters of FinTechs in both regions. The analysis suggests the need for innovative promotions and education to motivate the more sceptical, especially women and the elderly population, to adopt FinTech services.
Genetic Control of Efficient Nitrogen Use for High Yield and Grain Protein Concentration in Wheat: A Review

The increasing global population and the negative effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizers on the environment challenge wheat breeding to maximize yield potential and grain protein concentration (GPC) in an economically and environmentally friendly manner. Understanding the molecular mechanisms for the response of yield components to N availability and assimilates allocation to grains provides the opportunity to increase wheat yield and GPC simultaneously. This review summarized quantitative trait loci/genes which can increase spikes and grain number by enhancing N uptake and assimilation at relative early growth stage, and 1000-grain weight and GPC by increasing post-anthesis N uptake and N allocation to grains.
Groundwater Vulnerability Analysis of Tirnavos Basin, Central Greece: An Application of RIVA Method

A novel index-based method (RIVA) for assessing intrinsic groundwater vulnerability was applied to Tirnavos basin (central Greece) to assess the susceptibility to surface-released contamination. Data from field surveys, previous studies, and literature were used to calculate the factors that compile the RIVA method. The aggregated results delineated the spatial distribution of groundwater vulnerability from very low to very high. The modelled results were successfully validated with ground-truth values of nitrates obtained from 43 boreholes. Overall, the modelled and the monitored values match more than 80%, indicating the successful application of the RIVA method. Few deviations were observed in areas dominantly affected by lateral crossflows and contamination from adjacent areas. RIVA proved an efficient method in terms of accuracy, data intensity, and investment to reach highly accurate results. Overall, RIVA proved to be a robust tool for reliable groundwater vulnerability assessments and could be further exploited for risk assessment and decision-making processes in the context of groundwater resource management.
Virtual Methods Applied to Human Bones and Joints Re-Construction Used for Orthopedic Systems

In the first stage of research, real bone components were analyzed to determine the main visual geometric shapes. After that, it was used a CT or MRI device to get parallel sections of studied bone components. In the third stage, the images were transferred to a 2D CAD software like AutoCAD, where the outer and inner contours of the bone were approximated by polygonal lines composed of multiple segments. To obtain virtual bones was used a parametric CAD software that allows defining models with a high degree of difficulty. The contours were transferred to a 3D CAD software, which, step by step, each section was used to define each virtual component of bone. For some components, such as vertebrae, bones of the jaw, the skull bones, was used in a preliminary model consists of curves in parallel planes. Based on this model can be defined the main curves for the final virtual 3D solid model. Also, were defined innovative orthopedic metal components as tibia nail, plates and screws or prosthetic elements. Were defined simulations to determine the behavior of the new orthopedic models through FEA method.
Traditional versus Minimally Invasive Spinopelvic Fixation for Sacral Fracture Treatment in Vertically Unstable Pelvic Fractures

Purpose: Numerous different fixation techniques are used to treat vertical shear sacral fractures. We report our experience with spinopelvic fixation using a minimally invasive technique. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with vertical pelvic and sacral fractures were treated with spinopelvic fixation (traditional open method, n = 21; minimally invasive technique, n = 17). Intergroup comparisons and statistical analysis were performed for intraoperative blood loss, operative time, post-operative radiographic grading, post-operative functional score, and complication rates. Results: Patients treated with the minimally invasive technique had a significantly shorter operative time (−52 min, p = 0.022), reduced blood loss volume (−287 mL, p < 0.001), and better cosmetic appearance (p < 0.05) than those in the traditional open group. There were no significant intergroup differences in post-operative radiographic grading (p = 0.489) or post-operative functional scores (p = 0.072). The complication rate was lower in the minimally invasive group (1/17 patients) than in the traditional open group (2/21 patients). Conclusions: Minimally invasive spinopelvic fixation is a viable treatment for sacral fractures and can reduce blood loss and operative time.
Microfluidics Approach to the Mechanical Properties of Red Blood Cell Membrane and Their Effect on Blood Rheology

In this article, we describe the general features of red blood cell membranes and their effect on blood flow and blood rheology. We first present a basic description of membranes and move forward to red blood cell membranes’ characteristics and modeling. We later review the specific properties of red blood cells, presenting recent numerical and experimental microfluidics studies that elucidate the effect of the elastic properties of the red blood cell membrane on blood flow and hemorheology. Finally, we describe specific hemorheological pathologies directly related to the mechanical properties of red blood cells and their effect on microcirculation, reviewing microfluidic applications for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.