Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wireless Power Transfer Empowered by Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

In order to wirelessly power the nonline of sight devices by a base station (BS) with massive antennas, multiple reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are employed to control the signal transmission directions in a dual-hop communication scenario. The objective of this paper is to maximize the minimum harvested power among all devices by designing both the beamformer at the BS and the controllable phases of impinging signals at the RISs. An optimal and a suboptimal schemes are proposed by considering the metrics of both harvested power and system complexity. Results indicate that the suboptimal scheme can achieve about 80% harvested power of the optimal scheme with low communication overhead between the BS and RISs.
Does BMI Affect Academic Performance? Study among Undergraduate Medical Students of Saudi Arabia and India

Objective: To study whether BMI as a single influencing factor has any impact on college student academic performance. Methods: 540 (214 females, 326 males) university-level undergraduate medical students from the region of India and Saudi Arabia were studied for one year. Their BMI was calculated and compared with academic aggregate marks. Results: The majority of the students had normal BMI. On comparing grades of underweight, overweight, and obese students with normal weight students we found that there was no significant difference in their academic performance (p=0.899). Gender-wise comparison also showed an insignificant relationship between BMI and academic performance (females p=0.539, males p=0.622). Conclusion: Weight did not show any influence on academic performance when the BMI alone is compared with the academic performance of the students for a short duration (one year), irrespective of gender (male/female).
In Vitro. Investigation of the Protective Effects of Tannic Acid Against the Activities of Naja kaouthia. Venom

Abstract The in vitro. venom neutralizing capacity of tannic acid against the activities of Naja kaouthia. (Naja naja kaouthia. Lesson [Elapidae]) venom was investigated. Tannic acid was found to be effective in neutralizing the activities of Naja kaouthia. (NK) venom. The lethal effect of four-times the LD50 in mice and the necrotizing effect of one minimum necrotizing dose (1 MND) in rats of NK venom were fully inhibited by tannic acid at ≥ 431 µg/mouse, with the median effective dose (ED50) of 334 µg/mouse and ≥ 30 µg/rat, respectively. The acetylcholinesterase activity of NK venom was almost completely neutralized (≥ 99%) by tannic acid at ≥ 1% w/v. It was evident that tannic acid was nontoxic and did not cause either a lethal effect in mice (at its maximum tested dose of 845 µg/mouse) or necrotic lesions in rats (at doses between 7.5 and 60 µg/rat).
Effects of Sesamin and α-Tocopherol on the Production of Chemical Mediators and Immunoglobulins in Brown-Norway Rats

This study investigated the effects of sesamin and α-tocopherol on eicosanoid production and immune function in the rat. Male Brown-Norway rats, 4 weeks of age, were given either control, 0.5% sesamin, 0.5% α-tocopherol, or 0.5% sesamin plus 0.5% α-tocopherol diets for 3 weeks. When sesamin and tocopherol were given together, the proportion of 20: 4n-6 phosphatidylcholine (PC) was significantly lowered in liver and lung, while that of 18: 2n-6 and 20: 3n-6 was significantly increased in liver. Simultaneous administration of these compounds significantly reduced the production by the lung of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), but there was no effect on the splenic LTC4 production and the plasma prostaglandin E2 concentration. Sesamin and tocopherol, either separately or in combination, significantly reduced both the proportion of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, but the change in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was not significant. The effects of sesamin and tocopherol feeding on serum levels of IgA, IgE, and IgG were not so marked.
Enhancing CO2 Hydrogenation to Methane by Ni-Based Catalyst with V Species Using 3D-mesoporous KIT-6 as Support

Using renewable H2 for CO2 hydrogenation to methane not only achieves CO2 utilization, but also mitigates the greenhouse effect. In this work, several Ni-based catalysts with V species using 3D-mesoporous KIT-6 (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, KIT) as support were prepared at different contents of NiO and V2O5. Small Ni nanoparticles with high dispersibility on 20Ni-0.5V/KIT-6 were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM and hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption (H2-TPD) analysis, which promoted the production of more Ni active sites for enhancing catalytic activity for CO2 methanation. Moreover, TEM and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) characterizations confirmed that a proper amount of Ni and V species was favorable to preserve the 3D-mesoporous structure and strengthen the interaction between active Ni and KIT-6. The synergistic effect between Ni and V could strengthen surface basicity to elevate the ability of CO2 activity on the 20Ni-0.5V/KIT-6. In addition, a strong interaction with the 3D-mesoporous structure allowed active Ni to be firmly anchored onto the catalyst surface, which was accountable for improving catalytic activity and stability. These results revealed that 20Ni-0.5V/KIT-6 was a catalyst with superior catalytic activity and stability, which was considered as a promising candidate for CO2 hydrogenation to methane.
Studies of protonemal morphogenesis in mosses. X. Ephemeraceae revisited; new dimensions underground

Abstract This systematic investigation of the filament systems in nine species of Ephemerum and two of Micromitrium revealed a range of new characters in the Ephemeraceae. Above ground most taxa have pointed chloronemata with widely spreading branches, whereas in Micromitrium, Ephemerum cohaerens and E. spinulosum, the branches are fastigiated. Four species of Ephemerum (E. sessile, E. cohaerens, E. spinulosum and E. hibernicum) have massive lipid-laden tubers, the last three with prominent spinulose side branches. Tubers, comprising chains of rounded cells, are described for the first time in Micromitrium. Unique to E. recurvifolium are starch-laden tubers and fragile chloronemal branches. The morphology of the diaspores reinforces the pottialean affinities of the Ephemeraceae. The production of long-lived tubers provides Ephemerum species predominantly found on lake and reservoir margins in the British Isles, with an alternative means of perennation on sites susceptible to inundation prior to sporophyte maturation.
Fusarium head blight pathogens isolated from fusarium-damaged kernels of wheat in western Canada, 1993 to 1998

Survey results from 1993 to 1998 for fungi isolated from fusarium-damaged kernels of wheat are presented. There is compelling evidence that Fusarium graminearum has recently been spreading westward from southeastern Manitoba, replacing less pathogenic Fusarium species as the principal fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen. This movement has been accompanied by increasing economic losses from the effects of FHB. Environmental factors such as a lower average daily temperature in June and July may be influential in limiting the damage from F. graminearum in the western prairies, where F. graminearum currently is rare. However, precipitation levels at anthesis equal to those in the areas presently affected by economic levels of FHB occur in many western crop districts, suggesting that precipitation levels during the period of anthesis will likely promote further westward spread of this pathogen. The potential role of infected seed as a mechanism for long-distance dispersal of F. graminearum is considered
Complete Genome Sequence of Leptospira interrogans Strains FMAS_KW1, FMAS_KW2 and FMAS_AW1 Isolated from Leptospirosis Patients from Karawanalla and Awissawella, Sri Lanka

Leptospirosis is an important cause of acute undifferentiated fever and complex multisystem febrile diseases in the tropics and subtropics. Understanding the evolution of Leptospira especially as related to the clinical pathogenesis of leptospirosis is facilitated by systematic comparative genomic analysis of human-infecting isolates. Here, we announce the complete genome sequences of three Leptospira strains that were isolated from blood of humans with undifferentiated fever in Sri Lanka.
Influence of salinity on ionic concentration and yield of three tropical grain legumes

The relationships between dry matter yield and ion concentration in three tropical grain legumes, viz. guar, cowpea and blackgram, were examined in soil salinized with a range of isosmotic levels of NaCl, CaCl2 and Na2SO4. The shoot yield of guar and cowpea was reduced to 50% of the control, at soil salt levels corresponding to electrical conductivities determined on saturated extracts (ECe,50%) of 11.8 and 11.6 dS m-1 respectively, the response being independent of the form of salt used. Both these species maintained low Na+ in shoots but accumulated moderate levels of Cl- in the presence of Cl- salts. The shoot yield of blackgram was less affected by CaCl2 salinity than NaCl salinity (i.e. ECe,50% = 13.6 dS m-1 compared with 8.8 dS m-1 respectively), whilst the growth response to Na2SO, was intermediate (ECe,50% = 10.8 dS m-1. Blackgram was found to accumulate large quantities of both Na+ (up to 1500 8mol g-1) and Cl- (up to 8 g-1) in shoot tissues. The use of isosmotic levels of different salts enabled the effects on growth of variation in ion concentration of shoots to be assessed, at the same potential level of water deficit. There was no evidence that ion excess was limiting growth of guar or cowpea, since large differences in ion concentration were not related to differences in dry matter yield. There was evidence that high ion concentrations in the shoots of blackgram, in particular high Na+ , limited growth under salinity stress. It is suggested that some benefit may be gained by searching for blackgram cultivars that accumulate less Na+ in shoots.
Development of longitudinal mucosal folds in the intestine of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., during metamorphosis

During metamorphosis of the anadromous sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L. , the larval intestine develops numerous longitudinal folds. The initiation of this event is marked by a decrease in diameter of the intestine and in the height of the typhlosole and is followed by an increase in numbers of cells undergoing DNA synthesis, first in the anterior intestine and later in the posterior intestine. Foci of proliferating cells along the epithelial walls of both regions result in the development of longitudinal folds which seem to elongate by further proliferation of the epithelial cells at their bases and by evagination of the underlying connective tissue and muscle. Slight variations in the mode of development of folds in the anterior and posterior intestines likely reflect the different functions of these regions in the adult. Metamorphosis of the lamprey provides an opportunity to study intestinal development in a vertebrate during a late stage of ontogeny.
Implantation and Extraction of Penetrating Electrode Arrays in Minipig Retinas

Purpose This work was motivated by the goals of demonstrating methods to fabricate and implant large numbers of penetrating arrays into the retina and the feasibility of extraction. Methods Arrays of inactive, three-dimensional (3D) SU-8 structures were microfabricated onto 13-µm polyimide substrates. Standard vitreoretinal surgical techniques were used with an ab externo approach for subretinal implantation of arrays in 12 mini-pigs. In the first three surgeries, different post-geometries were explored, while a preferred design (128-µm tall, 30-µm diameter, 200-µm spacing) was used for the remaining nine implantations. Two arrays were extracted. Funduscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and immunohistochemistry of the retinae were performed. The unoperated eyes and tissue far from implantation served as controls. A thirteenth pig was implanted with a planar array. Results Ten implant surgeries had no significant complication, and two arrays were successfully extracted. One retinal tear occurred after implantation due to too long posts in an early surgery. In “successful” cases, OCT showed close apposition of the arrays to the retina and integration of the posts, the tops of which were positioned at the junction of the inner plexiform and ganglion cells, without significant gliosis. Conclusions These results provide a proof-of-concept that relatively large numbers of 3D posts can be implanted into, and extracted from, the retina of mini-pigs. Our surgical numbers were relatively small, especially for the extractions, and our conclusions must be viewed with that limitation. Our methods are applicable for human surgeries. Translational Relevance This study provides results of implantation and extraction of relatively large numbers of 3D posts from the retina of minipig eyes. If similar technology were used in humans, a 3D array of this type should lower perceptual thresholds, provide safer long-term stimulation, and perhaps provide better perceptual outcomes.
The Effects of Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Water Stress on Ligth Interception, Dry Matter Production and Yield in Stands of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.

Stands of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a C 3 legume, were grown in controlled-environment glasshouses at 28 o C (±5 o C) under two levels of atmospheric CO 2 (350 ppmv or 700 ppmv) and two levels of soil moisture (irrigated weekly or no water from 35 d after sowing). Elevated CO 2 increased the maximum rate of net photosynthesis by up to 40%, with an increase in conversion coefficient for intercepted radiation of 30% (from 1.66 to 2.16 g MJ -1 ) in well-irrigated conditions, and 94% (from 0.64 to 1.24 g MJ -1 ) on a drying soil profile
Comparison of the Morphology of the Foveal Pit Between African and Caucasian Populations

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize foveal pit morphology in an African (Ghanaian) population, to compare it to that of a Caucasian group and to determine if it varied with age in the two populations. Methods The depth, diameter, slope, and volume of the foveal pit were interpolated from optical coherence tomography volume scans recorded in 84 Ghanaian and 37 Caucasian individuals. Their association with age, sex, and ethnicity was investigated using multilevel regression models. Results The foveal pit differed significantly in width, slope, and volume between Ghanaian men and women (P < 0.001), but only in width and volume between Caucasian men and women (P < 0.01). In Ghanaians, age was associated with a narrowing of the foveal depression and a reduction of its volume. Overall, these changes were more pronounced in women as compared to men and were largely absent from the Caucasian group. When controlled for age, the foveal pit of Ghanaians was significantly wider and larger in volume as compared to the Caucasian group (P < 0.001). Conclusions The morphology of the foveal pit differs between African and Caucasian individuals. These anatomic differences should be considered when examining differences in prevalence and clinical features of vitreoretinal disorders involving the fovea between the two populations. Translational Relevance Differences in retinal anatomy may partly explain variations in the prevalence and clinical features of retinal diseases between Africans and Caucasians. Such differences should be adequately considered in diagnoses and monitoring of ocular diseases in patients with African ancestry.
Vacuum‐Packaged Precooked Pork from Hogs Fed Supplemental Vitamin E: Chemical, Shelf‐Life and Sensory Properties

Precooked longissimus chops and semimembranosus/adductor roasts from pigs (n = 30) given no supplemental vitamin E (CON) or supplemented with 100 mg vitamin E/kg diet (VITE) were evaluated for lipid oxidation, microbial growth, sensory characteristics, cooking/storage losses and reheating losses. Chops and roasts were vacuum packaged, precooked to 60°C and stored at 2°C for 0, 7, 14, 28, or 56 days. Lipid oxidation was lower in VITE chops and roasts than in CON chops and roasts. Off-flavor intensity scores were more acceptable and storage/cooking losses were lower for VITE roasts than for CON roasts. Supplementation of vitamin E in a swine diet provided added protection against lipid oxidation and precooking pork under vacuum provided a palatable product with a shelf-life of ≥ 56 days.
The Vascular Flora of the Coon Creek Forever Wild Tract, Tallapoosa County, Alabama

Abstract The Coon Creek Forever Wild Tract (CCFWT) is an area of approximately 130 ha that was purchased by the State of Alabama Forever Wild Program on February 1, 1995. The CCFWT lies 45 km west of Auburn, AL with the main tributary, Coon Creek, dissecting the tract and eventually emptying into the Tallapoosa River. The site is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with an emphasis on recreational use, habitat management, and rare species protection. A floristic study of this area was conducted from March 2006 through May 2007. A total of 503 species from 319 genera and 114 families were collected, with 195 species being county records. Asteraceae was the largest family with 74 species. Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Fabaceae were the next largest families with 45, 31, and 31 species, respectively. Carex was the largest genus represented with 15 taxa.
Differences of Emotional Intelligence, Self-Effectiveness and Job Stress Levels by ambulance worker Personal Characteristics

Background/Objectives: As the field activity of the fire fighter is increased increasing the exposure to the traumatic event, the development of effective program to reduce the job stress is needed.Methods/Statistical analysis: The present study investigated levels of emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, and job stress by personal characteristics, working environment of ambulance workers, and grasped their correlations. A survey of ambulance workers in service at fire stations in the northern Gyeonggi province was conducted from Feb. 22 to Mar. 31, 2019 and 160 questionnaires were analyzed. Collected data were subjected to frequency analysis, t-test, and ANOVA using SPSS software 12.0 program.Findings: Emotional intelligence showed a score of 63 out of 80 points. Emotional intelligence of females was higher than that of males. That of workers not younger than 35 years was higher than that of workers younger than 30 years. That of fire engineers or fire lieutenants was shown to be higher than that of firefighters. Job stress of females was higher than that of males. That of EMT level 2 qualification holders or workers who took the training course was shown to be higher than that of EMT level 1 qualification holders. That when less than three workers were mobilized was shown to be higher than that when three workers and more were mobilized. Self-efficacy showed a positive correlation with emotional intelligence but a negative correlation with job stress. Emotional intelligence showed a negative correlation with job stress. The higher the emotional intelligence, the higher the self-efficacy. The higher the emotional intelligence and self-efficacy, the lower the job stress.Improvements/Applications: To reduce the job stress, the health should be improved and the field response capability should be enhanced by establishing the strategy to enhance the emotional intelligence.
Measuring egg size using digital photography: testing Hoyt's method using Florida Scrub‐Jay eggs

Egg volumes are most often estimated using a mathematical model that incorporates length and width measurements and a species-specific shape variable. Although adequate in many respects, this technique does not account for intraspecific variation in egg shape. We developed a computer-automated technique that uses calibrated digital photographs to render precise measurements of several egg-size parameters including length, width, volume, and surface area. The system extracts egg outlines from photographs, and divides each egg into latitudinal slices that are subsequently regarded as simple geometric shapes (cylinders or cone frustra) with volumes and surface areas that can be summed to generate size parameters for the entire egg. We tested this technique using 491 eggs from Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) nests and compared the resulting egg volumes with volumes calculated using the preeminent method of estimating volume from linear measurements. Our method was highly accurate, and differences between the volumes from our method and the alternative method were strongly associated with variation in egg shape. Advantages of our technique include decreased handling of eggs and increased accuracy. Software resources and additional information regarding the technique are available at http://www.archbold-station.org/abs/data/birddata/Bridge-JFO-eggsize.htm. SINOPSIS. Medidas de huevos utilizando fotograf´ ia digital: poniendo a pruebas el m´ etodo
Comparison of Blue Light Blocking Effects of Tips and Tinted Lenses for Dental Light Curing Machines

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to examine the blue-light blocking effect according to the curing light tip and the color of the protective eyeglass lens for the operator’s eye protection.Method/Statistical Analysis: The transmittance of light with a wavelength between 200 and 900 nm was measured three times at 1.8 nm intervals using a UV-vis spectrophotometer (LAMBDA 265, Perkinelmer, Inc.). Then the average values obtained were compared for analysis. The visible- and blue-light transmittances of all the tips and tinted lenses were examined, and the ratios of blue light in the transmitted visible light were analyzed to compare the blue-light blocking effects.Findings: The transmittance of visible light with a wavelength between 380 and 750 nm was highest in the yellow lens (60.58%), followed by company B’s tip (55.23%), company A’s tip (51.46%), the orange lens (47.48%), company C’s tip (41.53%), and the red lens (41.00%). The blue-light transmittance was 0.14% in company A’s tip for the curing light gun, 0.75% in company B’s tip, and 0.12% in company C’s tip, which were all very low. Among the tinted lenses, the orange lens had the lowest blue-light transmittance (0.20%), the red lens had a blue-light transmittance of 6.59%, and the yellow lens had the highest blue-light transmittance (12.53%). For the analysis results of the ratio of blue light in the transmitted visible light, it was 0.27% for company A’s tip, the best blue-light blocking rate, and 20.68% for the yellow lens, the worst blue-light blocking rate. The ratios of blue light in the transmitted visible light for companies B and C’s tips were 1.35 and 0.29%, respectively, showing that they have a good blue-light blocking effect.Improvements/Applications: The curing light tips and orange lens used for the analyses in this study showed a blue-light blocking effect. In the case of blue-light blocking by tinted lenses, further studies are required because the blocking rate may vary depending on the lens tint concentration.