Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel hybrid robust architecture for automatic screening of glaucoma using fundus photos, built on feature selection and machine learning‐nature driven computing

Glaucoma is a leading cause of permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment of this infection is critical for recovery and slowing the progression of vision loss. An efficient novel system focused on customized particle swarm optimization (CPSO) and four state‐of‐the‐art machine‐learning classifiers is proposed to boost prediction performance. This interconnected architecture detects glaucoma through five main phases: (1) pre‐processing, (2) segmentation, (3) feature extraction, (4) finding the best scored features, and (5) classification using the proposed CPSO‐machine learning dependent classifier. The subject images belong to the publically available benchmark Digital Retinal Images for Optic Nerve Segmentation retinal fundus data set. Rather than focusing on the initial 20 extracted features of the retinal fundus, half of the critical features are chosen to form a feature vector based on scores provided by the univariate method and the feature importance method separately. These features are fed into this system for training, testing, and multiple sets of results are created as a result of multiple combinations of CPSO and supervised machine‐learning classifiers. These result sets are evaluated using six efficiency metrics. According to the simulation results, the best output is recorded when a univariate selected feature vector is fed into the CPSO—K‐nearest neighbour dependent hybrid method. This model outperformed other models with a maximum accuracy of 0.99, a specificity of 0.96, a sensitivity of 0.97, a precision of 0.97, an F1‐score of 0.97, and a Kappa of 0.94. A fivefold cross‐validation method is used to derive the values. This research would help to achieve good levels of glaucoma care since the proposed system is excellent at distinguishing between stable and glaucomatous eyes. For ophthalmologists, this new technique can be used as second opinion for improving diagnostic accuracy for glaucoma.
Agents prefer sparse social clouds

What social cloud structure is likely to emerge when agents engage in closeness‐based resource‐sharing and establish their resource‐sharing network strategically? This is the central question of this research. This letter looks at how cost‐benefit trade‐offs in maintaining connections, and resource supply and demand influence network formation. The study reveals that agents prefer a sparse network over a dense one. A dense network is likely to form when demand exceeds supply, while a sparse network is likely to form when supply exceeds demand.
Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) for cardiac sparing in breast cancer radiotherapy

Background : We aimed to assess the effect of the DIBH plan on cardiac and other organs at risk received dose during radiotherapy in left breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods : The study was carried out on 30 patients with left breast cancer with a history of mastectomy/lumpectomy surgery who were referred to the radiotherapy department of the Cancer Institute of Iran. Each patient underwent computed tomography (CT) simulations in two respiratory phases, including deep inspiration breath - hold (DIBH) and free - breathing (FB). In addition, the dose - volume histograms (DVHs) of the heart, lung, spinal cord, and breast of each respiratory phase were compared. Results : We observed a significantly higher mean of heart dose in FB in both lumpectomy and mastectomy groups (P value<0.05). We also compared the means of V25 and V30 heart between FB and DIBH—for both, the received dose was statistically higher in FB than DIBH. The mean dose received by the lung and spinal cord was higher in FB than DIHB. However, the observed difference was only significant in the lumpectomy group (P value<0.05). Conclusion : The DIBH is a viable method that could be suggested to reduce the mean dose of the heart during left breast cancer radiotherapy.
High effective catalyst based on Ni doped TiO2 coated natural cotton fibers for catalytic reduction of organic pollutants

ABSTRACT A new type of nickel doped titanium oxide (Ni-TiO2) coated natural cotton fibers (CF) and Ni-TiO2 wrapped sodium alginate (Alg) hydrogel was developed for the efficient reduction of different contaminants. Ni-TiO2 was prepared by low-temperature method and coated on CF using Alg as a binder and entrapped inside Alg hydrogel. Ni-TiO2 coated CF (Ni-TiO2/CF) and Ni-TiO2 wrapped Alg (Ni-TiO2/Alg) were utilized for catalytic elimination of wastewater pollutants. Ni-TiO2/CF and Ni-TiO2/Alg were initially tested as nanocatalysts for reduction of potassium ferricyanide, 4-nitrophenol, congo red, and methylene blue (MB), and exhibited superior catalytic performance toward MB reduction. Different parameters such as catalyst amount, MB concentration, reducing agent amount, and recyclability were optimized. Comparatively, Ni-TiO2/CF revealed the best catalytic performance for MB reduction having the highest reaction rate constant (2.1564 min−1). Ultimately, the catalyst preserved superior activity in recyclability evaluation, confirming that Ni-TiO2/CF is a good catalyst for the efficient removal of MB up to four cycles. Ni-TiO2/CF can more easily be recovered compared to Ni-TiO2/Alg by easily pulling out the fibers from reaction medium, which is the main advantage of Ni-TiO2/CF. Moreover, Ni-TiO2/CF and Ni-TiO2/Alg were examined in real samples, providing the effective reduction of MB. The developed nanocatalyst offers a cost- and time-effective material for environmental safety purpose.
Walkability premium: evidence for low-income communities

Abstract Walkable neighborhoods are known for bringing social and economic benefits to their residents. One of these benefits is the real estate premium associated with the neighborhood's walkability, which has been explored in studies worldwide. Here, we extend the available evidence by proposing the evaluation of the walkability premium in a new context. We use multigroup structural equation models to evaluate the direct and indirect effects on low-income neighborhoods in two Brazilian metropolitan cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The walkability perception is modeled, mediating the impact of the built urban environment elements on real estate pricing. The results confirm that we can expect a premium for walkability investments, even in poor neighborhoods under non-ideal conditions for walking, and this result is invariant between cities. The effects of the built environment on the real estate price are mediated by latent perceptions, showing the importance of incorporating subjective measures when assessing the walkability premium. Additionally, Latin American cities' socioeconomic and environmental conditions provide new interpretations of the studied phenomenon, highlighting the importance of considering the local context.
Association of NGF receptors with membrane rafts in PC12 cells : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biochemistry at Massey University

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) signal transduction is involved in the survival, differentiation and maintenance of neurons through the receptors TrkA and p75NTR. These receptors activate downstream protein kinase cascades that regulate cell survival. NGF binding to TrkA promotes cell survival, however NGF binding to the low-affinity receptor, p75NTR can lead to cell death in the absence of TrkA. Therefore the interaction of these two receptors and their downstream pathways are very important for determining cell survival. Recent studies have shown that many receptors and their associated downstream proteins have been found in membrane rafts , areas of the plasma membrane enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol. To investigate the presence of the NGF receptors and downstream signalling proteins in these rafts , we have devised a method of cellular fractionation and detergent extraction quite different from those used previously. Mechanical permeabilisation separated the cytosolic components of PC12 cells . Non-ionic detergent extraction was used to solubilise the majority of the plasma membranes , leaving the detergent-insoluble membranes and cytoskeleton. Equilibrium flotation gradients were used to separate the membrane rafts from other detergent-insoluble material such as the cytoskeleton. Using these methods, we found that not only are TrkA and p75NTR present in rafts, but also the downstream signalling protein ERK 1 and the cytoskeletal protein, tubulin. In addition to plasma membrane rafts, we have isolated detergent-insoluble intracellular membranes from the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi . NGF binding, in vitro reactions with an ATP regenerating system and the addition of ganglioside GMl to the cells, have been found to have a large effect on the raft association of both TrkA and p75NTR_ These results indicate an important role for membrane rafts in NGF signalling through its receptors TrkA and p 7 5 NT\ and suggest a model in which signalling centres form around rafts and rnicrotubules.
Rate of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) on wheat in the highland and lowland area

Stripe (Yellow) rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici (Pst) is a crucial wheat disease causing severe damage to cultivated susceptible wheat varieties. The wheat yellow rust assessment was conducted during the primary rainy season of 2018/19 at Ada’a, Lume, and Gimbichu using the zigzag disease assessment method. Disease data, agro-ecological data, and other essential parameters were recorded. The disease was prevalent in all districts by diverse incidence and severity ranges. This implies that yellow rust is distributed wheat disease at all surveyed potential districts. The highest yellow rust prevalence, 62.5% was recorded at Gimbichu district; conversely, the lowest prevalence 31.25% was recorded at Ada’a district. The highest severity and incidence of yellow rust 60% and 100%, respectively, was recorded at Ada’a district with susceptible reaction. In comparison, the lowest severity and incidence (30% and 5%) respectively were recorded at Lume districts with moderately sensitive responses. Many distributions and occurrences govern yellow rust. The highest incidence of yellow rust, namely 100% on land cultivated with kakaba and kubsa wheat bread varieties, occurred at the milk growth stage to the ripe stage. The local cultivar has shown the lowest incidence and severity percentage with moderately susceptible responses than improved varieties.
Development of a multipurpose light source for SiPM characterization

This thesis deals with the development and initial operation of a multipurpose light source for silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) characterizations. SiPMs are light-detectors for the detection of smallest amounts of light down to single photons. The presented light source is optimized for the measurement of the photon detection efficiency over a broad spectrum even in the UV-range. For this the lightsource has to provide a constant light flux as well as extremely short light pulses with a length of a few nanoseconds. In order to cover the whole dynamic range of a typical SiPM the light intensity should be adjustable from single photons up to serveral thousand photons per approximately 10 ns and square millimetre. The thesis describes design, operation and performance of the light source and its components. The latter is documented on the basis of several measurements with a reference detector. To take these measurements the reference detector has been comprehensively characterized, too.
From Heideggerian Dasein to Melvillean Masquerade: Historiology and Imaginative Excursion in Philip Roth's The Facts

Abstract:Is there a convergence of Philip Roth's The Facts and "the facts," as contextualized historically, in Martin Heidegger's Being and Time? And to the extent The Facts may reconfigure Sartrean flight and Heideggerian regard for resolute consciousness and historicity, how does such transformation relate to Roth's implied musings in The Facts on Herman Melville's The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade? Roth channels irresolute facts not toward the somber absence of consciousness implied by Heideggerian resoluteness and "historicality" but toward the supremacy of Dasein inherent in enduring literary excursion charted by the Sartrean-inspired masquerade of Dasein's being what one is and is not.
Role of Frictional Processes in Mesoscale Eddy Available Potential Energy Budget in the Global Ocean

Mesoscale eddies in the global ocean are thought to be powered primarily through transfer from available potential energy stored in mean flows to eddy available potential energy (EAPE). Part of the EAPE is further converted to eddy kinetic energy (EKE) with the residue dissipated through diabatic processes. Currently, the effect of frictional processes on the EAPE budget has not been thoroughly analyzed. Using an eddy‐resolving (1/10°) global climate simulation, we demonstrate that frictionally driven mesoscale eddy flow plays an important role in the EAPE budget, accounting for more than 30% of the EAPE‐to‐EKE conversion in the global ocean and dominating its seasonal cycle. This role can be understood based on the turbulent thermal wind balance under which the frictional force induces an ageostrophic secondary circulation producing a prominent EAPE‐to‐EKE conversion in the winter surface boundary layer.
RepertoireSpecificity but Exhibit Distinct T Cell Regulatory T Cells Share Common Epitope Human Tumor Antigen-Specific Helper and

CD4 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) accumulate at tumor sites and play a critical role in the suppression of immune responses against tumor cells. In this study, we show that two immunodominant epitopes derived from the tumor Ags (TAs) NY-ESO-1 and TRAG-3 stimulate both CD4 + Th cells and Tregs. TA-speciﬁc Tregs inhibit the proliferation of allogenic T cells, act in a cell-to-cell contact dependent fashion and require activation to suppress IL-2 secretion by T cells. TRAG-3 and NY-ESO-1–speciﬁc Tregs exhibit either a Th1-, a Th2-, or a Th0-type cytokine proﬁle and dot not produce IL-10 or TGF- b . The Foxp3 levels vary from one Treg clone to another and are signiﬁcantly lower than those of CD4 + CD25 high Tregs. In contrast to NY-ESO-1–speciﬁc Th cells, the NY-ESO-1–speciﬁc and TRAG-3–speciﬁc Treg clonotypes share a common TCR CDR3 V b usage with Foxp3 + CD4 + CD25 high and CD4 + CD25 2 T cells and were not detectable in PBLs of other melanoma patients and of healthy donors, suggesting that their recruitment occurs through the peripheral conversion of CD4 + CD25 2 T cells upon chronic Ag exposure. Collectively, our ﬁndings demonstrate that the same epitopes spontaneously stimulate both Th cells and Tregs in patients with advanced melanoma. They also suggest that TA-speciﬁc Treg expansion may be better impaired by therapies aimed at depleting CD4 + CD25 high Tregs and preventing the peripheral conversion of CD4 + CD25 2 T cells. + T cell power of and CD4 CD25 CD4 from two (MP1
Undergraduates’ Involvement in Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Attitude to Academic Work: Implications for Counselling

This study examines how undergraduates’ involvement in entrepreneurial opportunities and co-curricular activities affects their attitudes to academic work, and the place of counselling in resolving the conflict of interest experienced among the students. Many undergraduate students dabble into entrepreneurial activities without considering their impacts on their academic work. A lot of undergraduates have exchanged their academic work for business, and this has jeopardized their academic integrity. One hundred undergraduate students were sampled from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko using a questionnaire titled ‘Entrepreneurial Questionnaire’. Descriptive sample technique was used, and the data was analysed using chi square analysis. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The four hypotheses tested were rejected. The results imply that there is significant relationship between undergraduates’ involvement in entrepreneurial activities attitude to academic work. There is significant relationship between involvement of male and female in entrepreneurial activities. Co-curricular and entrepreneurial activities were significantly related. Counselling strategies were recommended to help undergraduates to understand the fact that academic integrity is an important University value, and also that undergraduates can involve in entrepreneurial activities during vacation period to avoid conflict of interest with their academic work.
Deep Representation Learning for Trigger Monitoring

We propose a novel neural network architecture called Hierarchical Latent Autoencoder to exploit the underlying hierarchical nature of the CMS Trigger System for data quality monitoring. Given the hierarchical cascaded design of the CMS Trigger System, the central idea is to learn the probability distribution of the Level 1 Triggers, modelled as the hidden archetypes, from the observable High Level Triggers. During evaluation, the learned parameters of the latent distribution can be used to generate a reconstruction probability score. We propose to use this probability metric for anomaly detection since a bounded number from zero to one has better interpretability in quantifying the severity of a fault. We selected a particular Level 1 Trigger and its corresponding High Level Triggers for our experiments. The results demonstrate that our architecture does reduce the reconstruction error on the test set from 9 . 35 × 10 − 6 when using a vanilla Variational Autoencoder to 4 . 52 × 10 − 6 when using our Hierarchical Latent Autoencoder. Hence, we successfully show that our custom designed architecture improves the reconstruction capability of variational autoencoders by utilizing the already existing hierarchical nature of the CMS Trigger System.
Sensitivity of a Cumulus Parameterization Scheme to Precipitation Production Representation and Its Impact on a Heavy Rain Event over Korea

The sensitivity of a cumulus parameterization scheme (CPS) to a representation of precipitation production is examined.Todothis,theparameterthatdeterminesthefractionofcloudcondensateconvertedtoprecipitationin the simpliﬁed Arakawa–Schubert (SAS) convection scheme is modiﬁed following the results from a cloud- resolving simulation. While the original conversion parameter is assumed to be constant, the revised parameter includesatemperaturedependencyabovethefreezinglevel,whichleadstolessproductionoffrozenprecipitatingcondensatewithheight.TherevisedCPShasbeenevaluatedforaheavyrainfalleventoverKoreaaswellas medium-rangeforecastsusingtheGlobal/RegionalIntegratedModelsystem(GRIMs). Theinefﬁcientconversion of cloud condensate to convective precipitation at colder temperatures generally leads to a decrease in precipitation, especially in the category of heavy rainfall. The resultant increase of detrained moisture induces moisteningandcoolingatthetopofclouds.Astatisticalevaluationofthemedium-rangeforecastswiththerevised precipitation conversion parameter shows an overall improvement of the forecast skill in precipitation and large- scale ﬁelds, indicating importance of more realistic representation of microphysical processes in CPSs.
Enhanced recovery after surgery for hip and knee arthroplasty: Our experiences at the department of orthopedic surgery in GH Jesenice

Population ageing has led to a growing number of total joint arthroplasty procedures in patients with degenerative joint diseases. At the same time, the financial resources for healthcare budget are limited or even decreasing. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol can de crease patients` length of stay (LOS) without compromising the quality of treatment, thus being beneficial both for the patients and the hospital budget. ERAS protocol for patients undergoing primary total knee or hip arthroplasty was partially im plemented at the Jesenice General Hospital in 2014. It was then optimised and upgraded with preoperative education for patients and their relatives, with all patients treated according to the comprehensive ERAS protocol since 2015. Analysed outcome measures included LOS and readmissions in the first 30 days after discharge. Before the implementation of ERAS, the median LOS in 2013 and 2014 was 6.45 and 6.4 days, respectively. This was significantly reduced after ERAS implementation, with the median LOS of 4.4 days in 2015 and 2016, and 3.5 days in 2017. Readmission rate in the first 30 days after discharge showed no significant differences before and after the implementation of the ERAS protocol. The ERAS protocol has been successfully and effectively implemented by our department, with LOS being significantly reduced without an increase in the rate of postoperative complications. This was achieved with several multidisciplinary changes before (preoperative education) and during hospitalisation, with peri- and postoperative optimisation of blood management (regular use of tranexamic acid), pain control (multimodal opioid sparing analgesia) and especially with optimisation in physiotherapy.
PHESICOCHEMICAL AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF CHICKEN BURGER SUBSTITUTED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CHICKPEA DURING FROZEN STORAGE

Fast foods are rich in fats that affecting human health. The main objective of this study was to investigate physicochemical and organoleptic properties of manufactured chicken burger substituted with different levels of chickpea during frozen storage. Physicochemical analyses of chicken meat were moisture content (73.58%), protein (23.17%), fat (2.21%), ash (1.04%), fiber and starch zero (%), pH 6.14 and finally thiobarbituric acid number (TBA) 0.112. The physicochemical analyses of chickpea were moisture content (4.5%), protein (23.3%), fat (4.17%), ash (3.11%), starch (62.76%), fiber by (2.09%), pH 6.6 and finally TBA 0.202. The substitution of chickpea (5%, 10% and 15%) decreased moisture content from 74.20 to 67.50%, pH value was increased from 6.27 to 6.73, protein increased from 23.00% to 25.70, increased effect on water holding capacity (WHC) from 53.30 to 58.74% and increased fat from 2.21 to 2.98 compared with the control sample. For the chickpea substitution at 15%, (TBA) value was higher by 1.3 mg malondialdehyde/kg when compared with the control. Moreover, the maximum acceptable levels of malondialdhyed were observed after 5 months. Concerning the organoleptic properties, a significant decrease (P< 0.05) in firmness score between the treated and the control samples during storage. Flavour, juiciness and overall acceptability did not show any significant difference in all investigated samples.