Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental demonstration of high spectral efficiency SC-FDMA with soft clipping for optical wireless communication systems

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to combine two single-carrier frequency-division multiple accesses (SC-FDMAs) with soft clipping for optical wireless communication systems. By combining two SC-FDMAs, the spectral efficiency is increased. A simple, low-cost implementation is considered. A 50 mW blue laser with a wavelength of 405 nm is used in this experiment. The optimum driving voltage is 5.25 V. In situations in which only real components can be employed, intensity modulation/direct detection is adopted. From the experimental results, 128-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) is perfectly employed, and because of the avalanche photodiode, a bandwidth of only 100 MHz is used. As a result, a total speed of 261.1 Mbps can be achieved. By mixing the SC-FDMA with soft clipping of 3 dB, a peak-to-average power ratio reduction of 6 dB can be achieved with no bit-error rate performance degradation.
Morphological characteristics and variability among Indian Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) accessions from Kerala

Twenty accessions of Indian Indigo collected from different parts of Kerala state were assessed for their variability. The morphological traits, flowering and seeding behavior, yield attributes and root nodule characteristics were studied. Analysis of variance revealed substantial variations among the accessions. IT 13, accession from Thiruvananthapuram followed by IT 11 (Kollam) and IT 9 (Thiruvananthapuram) were inferred to be superior based on selection indices and morphological characterization. These accessions performed better in termes of Leaf, Shoot and root yields. The study provided an insight into the variations among Indigofera tinctoria accessions and indicated the relative superiority of certain accessions that can further be multiplied and released as high yielding varieties for cultivation.
Determinants of severe periodontal disease among diabetes mellitus patients, in severe

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with severe periodontal disease among diabetic patients. Design: Cross sectional study. Study subjects and methods: Diabetes mellitus patients visiting their regularly scheduled medical review at NCH Diabetic clinic participated in the study. Data collection was done using a pretested structured questionnaire and the oral examination was done according to the WHO 1987 Oral Health Surveys. Levels of fasting blood glucose were recorded. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis, level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: 133 diabetic patients aged 20 to 80 years were enrolled in the study of whom 55.5% were females. A larger proportion of patients with higher education were more affected by bleeding (67.1%) than those with low education (47.9%), ( χ 2 = 4.47, p=0.035). Proportionately more patients aged 55 years or older (47.4%) had deep pockets compared to 29.1% of those aged less than 55 years, the difference was statistically significant (p=0.040). More than half of the patients who reported brushing <2 times a day (51.9%) had deep pockets compared to 22.2% of those reporting to brush two or more times per day, ( χ 2 = 11.78, p<0.001). Conclusion: Older patients and those reporting to brush less than twice per day had deep pockets.
YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE HYBRIDS (Zea mays L.) AS AFFECTED BY IRRIGATION

Maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield largely depends on the amount of plant-available water, nutrients, climatic conditions, soil, and genotype. The grain yield formation is closely related to yield components. The field study was set up near Osijek (2020) on silty clay soil with, loamy texture. The different treatments consisted of two irrigation treatments (a1=irrigated; a2=rainfed), and two maize hybrids (b1=ossk515; b2=po216). Surface irrigation was conducted with the use of furrows, while the soil water content was measured with tensiometers placed at a depth of 30 cm on each irrigation treatment. Net irrigation was 280 mm which completely compensated the crop water requirements on irrigated plots. Significantly (p<0.05) higher grain yield (16.44 t ha), grain weight/cob (220 g), cob (114.92 cm) and tassel height (181.26 cm) were recorded in irrigated plots. On average across irrigation treatment the significantly (p<0.05) higher grain yield (15.12 t ha), grain weight/cob (227 g), grain number/cob (556), hectoliter weight (70.87), and cob weight (291.3 g) were recorded for b2 hybrid (po216). The higher tested variables were recorded for b2 hybrid in both, irrigated and dry plots. The correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between grain yield and grain number/cob (r=0.91; p<0.00), grain yield and the position of the cob, i.e. cob height (r=0.65; p<0.05), grain yield, and cob length (r=0.78; p<0.05) and between grain yield and grain moisture (r=0.62; p<0.05). As for yield components, the strong positive correlation was found between cob weight and cob length (r=0.89; p<0.05), cob weight and grain moisture (r=0.73; p<0.05), grain number/cob and tassel height (r=0.82; p<0.5), and between grain weight/cob and grain number/cob (r=0.72; p<0.05).
Best Practices for the Extraction and Enumeration of Microplastics in Various Marine Environmental Matrices

v RÉSUMÉ . vi 1.0 BACKGROUND . 1 2.0 MICROPLASTIC CHARACTERIZATION . 1 3.0 CONTAMINATION. 2 3.1 FIELD CONTROL MEASURES . 3 3.2 LABORATORY CONTROL MEASURES . 3 3.3 PROCEDURAL BLANKS . 4 3.4 BACKGROUND BLANKS . 4 3.5 POSITIVE CONTROLS . 5 4.0 SAMPLE COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, AND EXTRACTION . 6 4.1 SEDIMENT . 8 4.1. 1 Collection . 8 4.1. 2 Preservation. 9 4.1. 3 Extraction . 9 4.2 SEAWATER . 11 4.2. 1 Collection . 11 4.2. 2 Preservation. 13 4.2. 3 Extraction . 13 4.3 ZOOPLANKTON . 14 4.3.1 Collection . 15 4.3.2 Preservation. 15 4.3.3 Extraction . 16 4.4 SHELLFISH . 16 4.4.1 Collection . 17 4.4.2 Preservation. 17 4.4.3 Extraction . 18 5.0 IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION . 19 5.1 LIGHT MICROSCOPY. 20 5.2 OTHER IDENTIFICATION METHODS . 21 5.3 CHEMICAL POLYMER IDENTIFICATION . 22
Option Traders Are Concerned About Climate Risks: ESG Ratings and Sentiment

This paper examines the potential relationship between ESG factors and option trader sentiment. Using the recent results of Shafer and Szado (2018) as well as those of Jo (2003), we suggest that ESG factors may play a role in option traders’ sentiment, whereby, firms with higher ESG ratings garner more optimistic sentiment due to their perceived “safety” and the potential increased optimism of analysts. By making use of the put-call ratio as a proxy for option traders’ sentiment this prediction is empirically tested using portfolio sorts and a dynamic panel regressions. The results reveal firstly, that the difference between the highest and lowest ESG, ‘E’, ‘S’, and ‘G’ rated portfolios is negative and significant, showing that those firms in the highest ESG rated portfolio are receiving significantly more optimistic sentiment than those in the lowest portfolio. Secondly, they show that only the ‘E’ pillar score and ESG controversies score are significant factors in option traders’ sentiment in our multivariate setting, with better scores in these factors significantly improving sentiment. These results also persist within a sector analysis, in the materials, consumer discretionary, communications, utilities, and real estate sectors. Therefore, this paper shows that the most sophisticated investors (options traders) are considering environmental risks of individual companies.
Barriers to the Use of Diabetes Technologies – A Portuguese Perspective from the User and Health Care Professional

Introduction: The use of advanced technologies contributes to improving the control of diabetes and increasing patient’s quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine barriers that prevent patients and health professionals from using technologies in the treatment of diabetes. Methods: Prospective study, performed from december 2018 to july 2019, based on electronic surveys to patients with diabetes and healthcare professionals involved in their treatment. Results: Among 161 patients (92.5% type 1 diabetes), 87.1% used continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and 30.6% continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The main barriers identified by patients were: cost (59.6% for CGM, 64.0% for CSII); device alarms (54.7% for CGM, 41.0% for CSII); desire to spend minimal time treating diabetes (45.3% for CGM, 42.2% for CSII), and fear of device malfunction (36.6% for CGM, 43.5% for CSII). From 95 professionals surveyed, 76.8% were physicians. 92.6% recommend the use of diabetes technologies (mostly CGM [90.9%] and CSII [68.2%]). The major barrier to using CGM (69.5%) and CSII (72.6%) was the cost for users/coverage by the National Health Service (NHS) or insurer, while 49.5% admitted not understanding information/features of CSII, and 48.4% reported difficulty handling the devices. Patients and professionals consider that better NHS/insurer coverage, easier access to devices, more therapeutic education, and improved technology, could ameliorate the use of technologies in diabetes treatment. Professionals consider it is important to increase consultation time and education on the use of devices. Conclusion: Accessibility and coverage of the NHS to diabetes management and treatment devices remains an obstacle in glycemic control. Education of patients/their families and health professionals looks essential to override barriers in using diabetes technologies, an ally for evolution of diabetes treatment.
A REVIEW OF THE PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PENSION INSURANCE MODELING SYSTEM September 11

Katherine Waldock for exceptional research assistance. We thank Heitor Almeida, Stephen Dimmock, Dirk Hackbarth, George Pennacchi, Joshua Pollet, Jim Poterba and Scott Weisbenner for helpful conversations and comments. We are especially grateful to PBGC staff for their tremendous efforts in helping to answer our technical questions about the PIMS model, and to Paul Davies of the Social Security Administration for coordinating these interactions. We are also grateful to the U.S. Social Security Administration for funding this project through grant #5RRC08098400‐05‐00 to the National Bureau of Economic Research as part of the SSA Retirement Research Consortium. The findings and conclusions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of SSA, any agency of the Federal Government, or the NBER. A REVIEW OF THE PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION PENSION
Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Auditors: A Thematic Analysis

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the capacity to fundamentally change the audit process. Current sampling based retrospective auditing can be replaced with real time 100% testing of the audited population. However, little is known about how the auditors will be impacted by the integration of AI in audit. Aims: This study aims to investigate the perceptions and experiences of auditors of the impact of AI integration on audit. Methods & procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants who had current or previous experience as an auditor. Interviews were subject to thematic analysis. Outcomes & results: It is comprehendible that for auditors to work with AI and other emerging technologies, a new set of skills is necessitated. Auditing standards need to evolve for AI to be implemented effectively. Conclusions: The findings offer novel insights into the potential paradigm shift necessitated by the integration of AI in auditing. AI will be extensively applied to simple and repetitive audit tasks allowing auditors to focus on activities requiring professional judgement. Continuous auditing may relieve year-end pressures and positively impact the working patterns of the auditors.
Earnings-based borrowing constraints and pecuniary externalities∗

Prices in financial constraints give rise to pecuniary externalities, which means that policy can improve market outcomes in which households and firms do not internalize the effects of their decisions on prices. This paper examines the pecuniary externalities that arise from earnings-based borrowing constraints, which are common for US firms. While asset-based collateral constraints typically result in ‘over-borrowing’ relative to the social optimum, we show that earningsbased constraints lead to ‘under-borrowing. ’ The reason is that higher input prices decrease earnings and thus tighten earnings-based borrowing constraints. In particular, borrowing decisions today are suboptimal when firms do not internalize that they impact future equilibrium wages and thereby change future borrowing limits. Across a range of settings that are motivated by recent microeconomic evidence, optimal macroprudential policy is shown to depend critically on the specific form of financial constraints. JEL Codes: D62, E32, E44, G28.
CLASSICAL AND ARTIFICIAL OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE POWER SYSTEM OPERATION

— There are several power system problems greatly affects its stability. Some of these problems is the outage of the transmission lines causing power system failure. In this paper, Insertion of FACTS devices proposed as a solution to this problem. Optimal location and sizing of FACTS devices play an important role in the recovery of the system stability. Whale optimization algorithm and mixed-integer nonlinear programming optimization techniques are proposed as a solution to this problem. The minimization of the total power system loss is the objective function. A comparison with other artificial optimization techniques has proven the superiority of the proposed techniques against other artificial techniques. The power system under study is the IEEE 30 bus system.
Gender Comparison Of Apolipoprotein And Lipid Profiles In Hiv Seropositives In Nauth Nnewi, South Eastern Nigeria

HIV breaks down the body’s immune system and progressively leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a fatal illness, prevalent more in Africa, Nigeria inclusive. Patients infected with HIV have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Information on cardiac status in HIV infected subjects in Nigeria is scanting. The study assessed the impact of HIV infection on serum Apolipoprotein and lipid profiles.A total of 390 (M = 220, F = 170) subjects were studied.The subjects were grouped based on WHO criteria for staging HIV infection Symptomatic HIV on Antiretroviral therapy (ART), Symptomatic HIV not on ART, Asymptomatic HIV subjects andHIV seronegative controls.Enzyme linked Immuno Assay (ELISA) was used for Apolipoproteins, Myoglobin and Troponin I. Spectrophotometric method was used for lipid profile and enzyme cardiac markers. The results showed significantly elevated serum levels of Apo A1, CK-T, CK-MB, but significantly lower level of total cholesterol (T-Chol), LDL, LDH and AST in male than in femalesymptomatic HIV infected subjects on ART at P<0.05. There were significantly higher serum enzyme activities of CK-T, CK-MB, levels of Apo C2, Apo E,TChol, LDL but lower serum activities of LDH, AST and HDL in male than in femalesymptomatic HIV infected subjectsnot on ART at P<0.05. The activities of CK-T, CK-MB;T-Chol, LDL, Apo C2 level were significantly higher but Apo A2, LDH and AST were significantly lower in male than in female asymptomatic HIV positive subjects studied at P<0.05. Conclusively, therewere increased levels of CK-T, CK-MB, total cholesterol, LDL, Apo C2 but lower levels of LDH and AST in male than in female HIV positive subjects studied.
Renal Cell Cancer among Smokers

Purpose: Determine whether higher coffee intake may reduce the risk of renal cell cancer (RCC) 7 associated with lead (Pb) and other heavy metals with known renal toxicity. Methods: We conducted a nested 8 case-control study of male smokers (136 RCC cases and 304 controls) within the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta9 Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. Cases diagnosed with RCC at five or more years following cohort 10 enrollment, were matched to controls on age (±7 years) and whole blood draw date (±30 days). Conditional 11 logistic regression (using two-sided tests) was used to test for main effects and additive models of effect mod12 ification. Results: After a mean follow-up of 16.3 years, coffee consumption was not significantly associated 13 with renal cell cancer risk, when adjusting for blood concentrations of Cd, Hg and Pb and RCC risk factors 14 (age, smoking, BMI, and systolic blood pressure) (p-trend, 0.134). The association with above median blood 15 Pb and RCC (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.85) appeared to be modified by coffee consumption, such that RCC 16 risk among individuals with both increased coffee intake and higher blood lead concentration was nearly 3-fold 17 higher RCC risk (HR=3.40, 95% CI: 1.62, 7.13; p-trend 0.003). Conclusion: Contrary to our initial hypothesis, 18 this study suggests that heavy coffee consumption may increase the previously identified association between 19 higher circulating lead (Pb) concentrations and increased RCC risk. Improved assessment of exposure, including 20 potential trace element contaminants in coffee, are needed. 21
Formal comments on the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update Assumptions, Base Case and Observations 2016

Copyright © CSIR 2017. This document is issued subject to contract conditions and parties rights and obligations under which this document is being issued. In the absence of such contract conditions all rights to the intellectual property and/or contents of this document remain vested in the CSIR; this document is issued for the sole purpose for which it is supplied; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express written permission of the CSIR; it may also not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover than that in which it is published.
Twitchingmotilityand bio¢lmformationareassociatedwith tonB1 inXylella fastidiosa

A mutation in the Xylella fastidiosa tonB1 gene resulted in loss of twitching motility and in significantly less biofilm formation as compared with a wild type. The altered motility and biofilm phenotypes were restored by complementation with a functional copy of the gene. The mutation affected virulence as measured by Pierce’s disease symptoms on grapevines. The role of TonB1 in twitching and biofilm formation appears to be independent of the characteristic iron-uptake function of this protein. This is the first report demonstrating a functional role for a tonB homolog in X. fastidiosa.
Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have radically changed the clinical outcome of several cancers with durable responses. CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4), PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) or PDL-1 (programmed cell death ligand protein 1) represent ICIs that can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other agents. The toxicity p\rofiles of ICIs differ from the side effects of cytotoxic agents and come with new toxicities like immune-related adverse events. Typically, these toxicities occur in all organs. However, the main organs affected are the skin, digestive, hepatic, lungs, rheumatologic, and endocrine. Most of the immune toxicity that occurs is low grade but some more severe toxicities can occur that require a rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The recognition of symptoms by physicians and patient is necessary to resolve them rapidly and adapt treatment to allow the toxicity to resolve.
Hindrances to the implementation of family-centered care approach : a grounded theory study

Methods: This article is a part of grounded theory study. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling method; the data was collected conducting an in-depth semi-structured interview with each participant. Participants were family members, nurses, clinical supervisors and physicians of educational hospitals affiliated to Khuzestan University of Medical Sciences. Data analysis was conducted using constant comparative analysis method.
First analysis of GLE 72 event on 10 September 2017 : Spectral and anisotropy characteristics

Using neutron monitor and space-borne data we performed an analysis of the second ground level enhancement of solar cycle 24, namely the event of 10 September 2017 (GLE 72) and derive the spectral and angular characteristics of GLE particles. We employ new neutron monitor yield function and a recently proposed model based on optimization procedure. The method consists of simulation of particle propagation in a model magnetosphere in order to derive the cut-off rigidity and neutron monitor asymptotic directions. Subsequently the rigidity spectrum and anisotropy of GLE particles are obtained in their dynamical evolution during the event on the basis of inverse problem solution. The derived angular distribution and spectra are briefly discussed.
System identification and control of the ankle joint with functional electrical stimulation

The control of the ankle joint induced by functional electrical stimulation (FES) is especially for paraplegic patients of high interest as it allows to partly re-gain the functionality of the lower limb. For this reason, we developed a Simulink model of the ankle joint which describes the dynamic behavior regarding the activation and force development of the three muscle groups of the lower leg. System identification showed that the muscle’s behaviour is highly non linear and strongly differs with the condition of the subject. The overall system behavior (black box modelling) was identified via tests on individual subjects on a mechanical test bench. Two control approaches, a PID and an iterative learning controller (ILC), were designed and evaluated.
Accelerated increase in serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) starts 6 years before diagnosis of type 2 diabetes: Whitehall II prospective cohort study

1 Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; 2 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK; 3 Department of Medicine/Metabolic Diseases, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; 4 Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark; 5 Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine, 1 st Department of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
AREGU July 46/1

González, Julián, Antoni Gamundi, Rubén Rial, M. Cristina Nicolau, Luis De Vera, and Ernesto Pereda. Nonlinear, fractal, and spectral analysis of the EEG of lizard, Gallotia galloti. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 46): R86–R93, 1999. —Electroencephalogram (EEG) from dorsal cortex of lizard Gallotia galloti was analyzed at different temperatures to test the presence of fractal or nonlinear structure during open (OE) and closed eyes (CE), with the aim of comparing these results with those reported for human slow-wave sleep (SWS). Two nonlinear parameters characterizing EEG complexity [correlation dimension (D2)] and predictability [largest Lyapunov exponent (l1)] were calculated, and EEG spectrum and fractal exponent b were determined via coarse graining spectral analysis. At 25°C, evidence of nonlinear structure was obtained by the surrogate data test, with EEG phase space structure suggesting the presence of deterministic chaos (D2 ,6, l1 ,1.5). Both nonlinear parameters were greater in OE than in CE and for the right hemisphere in both situations. At 35°C the evidence of nonlinearity was not conclusive and differences between states disappeared, whereas interhemispheric differences remained for l1. Harmonic power always increased with temperature within the band 8–30 Hz, but only with OE within the band 0.3–7.5 Hz. Qualitative similarities found between lizard and human SWS EEG support the hypothesis that reptilian waking could evolve into mammalian SWS.