Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant communities and potential native phytoremediator species in petroleum hydrocarbon‐polluted desert systems

This paper reports on the recovery of desert plant communities after 20 years of oil‐derived hydrocarbon contamination in desert habitats of Kuwait, caused by the First Gulf War (1990–1991). The hypothesis that certain native desert plant species can tolerate weathered oil‐polluted soils and can potentially function as bioindicators and phytoremediator species for oil‐polluted soil was tested. A field survey of 200 quadrat sampling plots at seven hydrocarbon‐contaminated and unpolluted desert areas in Kuwait was performed and recorded 42 plant species, with Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss. , Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb. , and Rhanterium epapposum Oliv. as the dominant species. Analysis of plant tissues indicated plant uptake and accumulation of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), depending on plant species and specific PAH compounds. Total PAHs in plant tissues in the most contaminated sites were over 200 μg kg−1. H. salicornicum could develop in both oil‐contaminated soil and uncontaminated soil although their biomass was about 16.7% smaller than usual. However, the plants appeared green and healthy in both sites, and showed no overt stress. The results suggest that some desert plant communities can recover after severe oil pollution and that H. salicornicum may serve as a phytoremediator of oil‐contaminated desert soils. Our results also demonstrated that some desert plant communities could be cultivated in oil fields to reduce hydrocarbon contamination and provide support to other ecosystem services through improving soil quality and biodiversity.
Intracranial pressure waveform changes in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to cause an enormous impairment to the quality of life and impact in the health system; meanwhile, studies show that in the coming years, the number of affected individuals will continue to grow. It is also believed that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could represent an early symptomatic form of AD, which precedes dementia. Methods: The present study aimed to evaluate the intracranial pressure (ICP) through a noninvasive method in patients with AD and MCI, seeking for differences when compared to healthy elderlies. This is a cross-sectional, correlational, and observational study of a quantitative character, carried out in a Brazilian city, with patients from the ANEC of the UFSCar. Results: It was found a statistically significant difference between the ICP morphology when analyzing the results in patients with AD and MCI, compared to healthy volunteers. It is known that dementias means a progressive disorder that leads to the loss of independency and function of the patient, although, it is believed that it can be found early ICP alterations in these patients. Nevertheless, considering this is an unprecedent study, it was not possible to compare results with previous studies and literatures. However, the study has a limitation related to the sample size; an expansion of it could possibility lead to different findings. Conclusion: The findings through the ICP measurement could indicate an early diagnosis, which would lead to an early treatment and an improvement in the quality of life of patients with AD. Thus, further investigation and widening studies are encouraged.
IDENTIFICATION AND DETECTION OF BIOFILM PRODUCING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ITS ANTIBIOGRAM ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The main aim of this work is to determine the antibiogram profile of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus from various clinical specimens of the patients. Methods: Various bacterial cultures of non-repeated clinical specimens from a total of 3388 patients were determined using standard microbiological and biochemical methods. Results: Out of 3388 only 604 (17.02%) displayed growth positive. A total of 65 (51.58%) S. aureus isolates were recovered, 25 (38.46%) were identified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) by Cefoxitin (30 μg) disk diffusion technique, of which majority were from pus/wound swab 22 (37.29%). The antibiogram of the isolates was analyzed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique analyzing Linezolid to be the most effective drug with susceptibility of 100% to both MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, followed by vancomycin, tigecycline, and tetracycline. In vitro biofilm production by tissue culture plate (TCP) and Congo red agar method detected 52 (80%) and 25 (38.46%) as biofilm producers, respectively. TCP identified 2 (3.07%), 7 (10.76%), and 44 (67.69%) as strongly, moderately, and weakly adherent. About 30.7% of MRSA obtained were positive biofilm producers. The minimum inhibitory concentration value of Oxacillin for S. aureus by agar dilution method ranged from 0.025 μg/mL to 128 μg/mL. Conclusion: This study shows that biofilm production was more in methicillin-resistant strains and displayed a high degree of resistance to almost all groups of antibiotics.
Ingredient modification to improve nutrition of Indonesian Koya made of nile and soy as a source of protein

Koya is an Indonesian food often used as a seasoning topping. Koya is made from prawn crackers and fried onions. It is popular and can be used as an alternative to improve human nutrition, primarily to fulfill the protein needs in children. One of the high-protein sources is the Nile tilapia which is easily cultured in Indonesia. Tilapia can be combined with soy, a high protein local food. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of Koya made from Tilapia and combined with either soy or fermented soy (tempeh). Koya was made from a combination of the main ingredients, such as Nile tilapia -soy flour (NS) and Nile tilapia-tempeh flour (NT) with a ratio of tilapia: soy flour/tempeh flour 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40, respectively. Each Koya was tested for its chemical composition and sensory evaluation. The results indicated that the combination of Nile tilapia-soy flour and Nile tilapia-tempeh had a significant effect on the chemical and sensory characteristics. With the higher concentration of tilapia; the moisture, ash, and protein composition increased, but the fat content decreases. Koya with 60% of tilapia either combined with 40% soy (NS3) or 40% tempeh (NT3), was the most preferred by panelists. Koya NS3 contained moisture, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrates of 13.06%, 5.15%, 19.59%, 54.19%, and 21.50%; respectively while NT3 of 13.32%, 3.89%, 19.28%, 48.72%, and 28.06%; respectively. Koya NS3 and NT3 contained linoleic and linolenic fatty acids and higher essential and non-essential amino acids than commercial Koya.
Intraoperative assessment of femoral head perfusion during surgical hip dislocation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis

Abstract Avascular necrosis is the most devastating complication of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, leading to collapse of the femoral head, increased risk of osteoarthritis and the requirement of early total hip arthroplasty. It is believed that intraoperative femoral head perfusion assessment may be an accurate predictor of post-operative avascular necrosis (radiographic collapse). At our institution, femoral head perfusion is assessed intraoperatively during all sub-capital realignment procedures. We hypothesize that our method is accurate in predicting the risk of developing post-operative avascular necrosis. In this retrospective study, we collected data from all patients that had intraoperative blood flow measurements during sub-capital realignment procedures. We correlated this with long-term radiographs looking for radiographic collapse. The intraoperative femoral head perfusion assessments during sub-capital realignment procedures for slipped capital femoral epiphysis at our institution, between January 2015 and March 2020 inclusive were assessed for reliability. In total, 26 of 35 patients had intraoperative femoral head perfusion present. Only 2 (8%) of these patients developed radiographic collapse. In contrast, 7 (78%) of the 9 patients who did not have femoral head perfusion present intraoperatively developed radiographic collapse, indicating that our method may be reliable in predicting a patient’s post-operative risk of developing avascular necrosis.
The daily rhythms of working memory and their methodological constraints: a critical overview

ABSTRACT Working memory (WM) performance is not constant throughout the 24-hour cycle. Daily oscillations in WM performance are modulated by interactions between circadian and homeostatic factors. However, investigations that ascertained the circadian rhythm(s) of WM found contradictory results regarding the moments in which the lowest and highest peaks of WM performance occur across the light-dark cycle. This review analyses the findings and methodological approaches of past studies that assessed the circadian cycle(s) of WM and explores the main methodological constraints that may explain their mixed findings. Such differences may be explained by (1) the use of diverse experimental protocols; (2) the employment of different degrees of control of confounding exogenous variables; (3) the application of different types of WM paradigms; (4) the use of different conceptualizations and operationalizations to assess the daily rhythm(s) of WM. Some investigations that evaluated the daily pattern of WM performance considered this cognitive function as a single unit and used general/single measures of WM capacity to estimate the parameters of its circadian cycle, while others tried to disentangle the daily rhythms of the subcomponents of WM. Findings of structural and neurobehavioral studies suggest that the subcomponents of WM present independent circadian rhythms.
Chemical forms of zinc in soils and their contribution to available pool

Surface samples of seventeen soils, widely varying in their physico-chemical properties, were analyzed for available zinc content using different extractants. Different fractions of zinc in these soils were sequentially extracted by different reagents. The contribution of these fractions to the available pool was estimated with help of path coefficient analysis. Water soluble, organic matteroccluded, specifically adsorbed and acid soluble fractions contributed directly to the available pool of zinc. Exchangeable zinc fraction did not contribute directly to any of the extractable forms of zinc. Residual fractions in many cases had negative or adverse influence on labile zinc pool
The Economic Impact of Volatility Persistence on Energy Markets

This study examines the role of daily volatility persistence in transmitting information from macro-economy in the volatility of energy markets. In crude oil and natural gas markets, macro-economic factors, such as the VIX, the credit spread and the Baltic exchange dirty index, impact volatility, and this impact is channeled via the volatility persistence. Further, the impact of returns and variances is primarily transmitted to volatility via the daily volatility persistence. The dependence of volatility persistence on market and macro-economic conditions is termed conditional volatility persistence (CVP). The variation in daily CVP is economically significant, contributing up to 17% of future volatility and accounting for 25% of the model's explanatory power. Inclusion of the CVP in the model significantly improves volatility forecasts. Based on the utility benefits of volatility forecasts, the CVP adjusted volatility models provide up to 160 bps benefit to investors compared to the HAR models, even after accounting for transaction costs and varying trading speeds.
Management of superficial straw associate with strategy of physical improvement of the soil in the emergence of weeds

: The objective of this work was to qualify the improvement of the physical properties of the soil and the reduction of weeds by combining the management of the superficial cover associated with a strategy of physical improvement soil in the drilling, seeking the maintenance of the no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in the 2015/16 and 2017/18 harvests, using a randomized block design in a two-factorial scheme (3 2) with three managements of the ground cover (chopped, rolled and natural) and two depths of planter’s shank (7 and 12 cm). Counts and identification of weeds emerged in the row and between the lines of the soybean crop at 20 and 40 days after emergence, bulk density, mechanical resistance of the soil to penetration and total soil porosity in the flowering of the soybean culture were measured. The management of the straw cover combined with the depth of action of the planter shank influenced the emergence of weeds, as well as, the increase in the depth of the furrow improvement of the physical environment of the soil in the sowing line, reducing penetration resistance, bulk density and increasing total porosity.
Evaluation of selected cider apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cultivars grown in Ontario. II. Juice attributes

Abstract: Twenty-eight apple cultivars were selected for their potential for hard cider production in Ontario; their juice characteristics were measured in 2017 and 2018, beginning two years after planting in 2015. After being harvested and pressed, each juice sample underwent analyses to determine soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH, yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN), and polyphenolic concentration. Soluble solids concentration ranged from 10.6 °Brix in Brown’s Apple to 18.3 °Brix in Ashmead’s Kernel. Titratable acidity ranged from 31 as mg malic acid per 100 mL juice in Sweet Alford to 191 as mg malic acid per 100 mL juice in Bramley’s Seedling. The pH ranged from 2.88 in Breakwell to 4.76 in Sweet Alford. Yeast assimilable nitrogen concentration ranged from 60 mg YAN·L−1 juice in Medaille d’Or to 256 mg YAN·L−1 juice in Bulmer’s Norman. Polyphenols in juice ranged from 131 μg gallic acid equivalents (gae)·mL−1 juice in Tolman Sweet to 1042 μg gae·mL−1 juice in Stoke Red. Firmness ranged from 6.3 kg in Yarlington Mill to 11.7 kg in GoldRush. The relationships between these variables were also analyzed, showing a connection between acidity and juicing efficiency as well as a relationship between polyphenol concentration and fruit weight. Exploratory analyses indicated that juice attributes can be used to distinguish between cultivars and their origins. Cider producers can use these data to determine what to expect in juice from these cultivars.
Impact of Malapposed and Overlapping Stents on Hemodynamics: A 2D Parametric Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

Despite significant progress, malapposed or overlapped stents are a complication that affects daily percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. These malapposed stents affect blood flow and create a micro re-circulatory environment. These disturbances are often associated with a change in Wall Shear Stress (WSS), Time-averaged WSS (TAWSS), relative residence time (RRT) and oscillatory character of WSS and disrupt the delicate balance of vascular biology, providing a possible source of thrombosis and restenosis. In this study, 2D axisymmetric parametric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to systematically analyze the hemodynamic effects of malapposition and stent overlap for two types of stents (drug-eluting stent and a bioresorbable stent). The results of the modeling are mainly analyzed using streamlines, TAWSS, oscillatory shear index (OSI) and RRT. The risks of restenosis and thrombus are evaluated according to commonly accepted thresholds for TAWSS and OSI. The small malapposition distances (MD) cause both low TAWSS and high OSI, which are potential adverse outcomes. The region of low OSI decrease with MD. Overlap configurations produce areas with low WSS and high OSI. The affected lengths are relatively insensitive to the overlap distance. The effects of strut size are even more sensitive and adverse for overlap configurations compared to a well-applied stent.
The Impact of Structural Defects on Iodine Adsorption in UiO-66

Radioactive I2 (iodine) produced as a by-product of nuclear fission poses a risk to public health if released into the environment, and it is thus vital to develop materials that can capture I2 vapour. Materials designed for the capture and storage of I2 must have a high uptake capacity and be stable for long-term storage due the long half-life of 129I. UiO-66 is a highly stable and readily tuneable metal-organic framework (MOF) into which defect sites can be introduced. Here, a defective form of UiO-66 (UiO-66-FA) was synthesised and the presence of missing cluster moieties confirmed using confocal fluorescence microscopy and gas sorption measurements. The uptake of I2 vapour in UiO-66-FA was measured using thermal gravimetric analysis coupled mass spectrometry (TGA-MS) to be 2.25 g g−1, almost twice that (1.17 g g−1) of the pristine UiO-66. This study will inspire the design of new efficient I2 stores based upon MOFs incorporating structural defects.
Sexual coercion perpetration and victimisation in females: The influence of borderline and histrionic personality traits, rejection sensitivity, and love styles

ABSTRACT This study investigated sexual coercion (perpetration and victimisation) in women. Women (N = 151) aged 18–63 years (M = 23.34, SD = 8.80) completed standardised questionnaires measuring sexual coercion (nonverbal sexual arousal, emotional manipulation and deception, and exploitation of the intoxicated), personality disorder traits (Borderline and Histrionic), love styles (Eros, Ludus, Storge, Pragma, Mania, and Agape), and rejection sensitivity. Data analyses revealed that together, personality disorder traits, love styles, and rejection sensitivity predicted coercion perpetration involving emotional manipulation and deception. These variables also predicted victimisation involving nonverbal sexual arousal and emotional manipulation and deception. Of these predictors, borderline traits predicted coercion involving emotional manipulation and deception (as both a perpetrator and victim) and victimisation from nonverbal sexual arousal-based coercion. Furthermore, Ludus predicted victimisation involving emotional manipulation and deception, while rejection sensitivity predicted the use of emotional manipulation and deception to coerce a partner.
Symmetrically Direct Coupled Stacked Broadband Microstrip Antenna

ABSTRACT A technique employing the use of directly coupled stacked patches to increase impedance bandwidth with reduced cross-polarization is proposed in this paper. The top stacked multi-resonator configurations are directly excited by employing metallic shorting posts (vias) between the metallic patches. In stacked directly coupled MSA, a bandwidth of 25.8% and a gain of 8.8 dBi with a gain variation of ±0.2 dB over the band are achieved. The cross-polar levels for this configuration are less than −15 dB and −5 dB at lower and upper frequencies, respectively. To suppress the cross-polar components, a symmetrically direct-coupled stacked MSA design is proposed. In this configuration, a bandwidth of 26.1% and a gain of 9.3 dBi with ±0.3 dB variation over the entire bandwidth are achieved. The cross-polar levels are significantly suppressed up to −25 dB and −16 dB at lower and upper frequencies, respectively. The proposed antenna configurations are designed and fabricated. The experimental results agree with the simulated results.
Monetary policy transmission: Balance sheet channel and investment behavior of firms in Pakistan

Findings ─ The result indicates a positive relationship between cash flows and investment during periods of monetary tightness. The impact on cash flows is visibly more pronounced than that of the quantitative effect of an increase in capital cost, which gives rise to a balance sheet channel. Three financial constraints, namely size, leverage, and dividend policy, are used to segregate firms into financially constrained and unconstrained firms.
WiGR: A Practical Wi-Fi-Based Gesture Recognition System with a Lightweight Few-Shot Network

Wi-Fi sensing technology based on deep learning has contributed many breakthroughs in gesture recognition tasks. However, most methods concentrate on single domain recognition with high computational complexity while rarely investigating cross-domain recognition with lightweight performance, which cannot meet the requirements of high recognition performance and low computational complexity in an actual gesture recognition system. Inspired by the few-shot learning methods, we propose WiGR, a Wi-Fi-based gesture recognition system. The key structure of WiGR is a lightweight few-shot learning network that introduces some lightweight blocks to achieve lower computational complexity. Moreover, the network can learn a transferable similarity evaluation ability from the training set and apply the learned knowledge to the new domain to address domain shift problems. In addition, we made a channel state information (CSI)-Domain Adaptation (CSIDA) data set that includes channel state information (CSI) traces with various domain factors (i.e., environment, users, and locations) and conducted extensive experiments on two data sets (CSIDA and SignFi). The evaluation results show that WiGR can reach 87.8–94.8% cross-domain accuracy, and the parameters and the calculations are reduced by more than 50%. Extensive experiments demonstrate that WiGR can achieve excellent recognition performance using only a few samples and is thus a lightweight and practical gesture recognition system compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Decreasing consumer animosity: The relationship between fast food businesses and social conflicts in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract Consumer animosity represents discomfort towards foreign goods, services and brands originating in countries with which there is some kind of conflict; in this way, a better understanding of consumer behavior in respect of hostilities between countries is sought. On the other hand, the conflicts in Latin America and the Caribbean are often overlooked in the academic literature, which focuses on studying the major Western economies and the great Asian tigers, given their political, economic and military value; for this reason, consumer animosity studies are mostly conducted in these countries. This study seeks to contribute to the scarce literature on consumer animosity in Latin America, through a current conflict between two South American countries, such as Colombia and Venezuela. The data processed through the PLS, allow us to demonstrate how the Colombian consumer, although he may have animosity towards Venezuela, has a positive image of the fast-food restaurants of Venezuelan origin in Colombia. In this way, this study shows that consumer animosity is not widespread, but must be studied specifically for each type of product, service, or brand.