Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ripe or Rotten? Low-Cost Produce Quality Estimation Using Reflective Green Light Sensing

We develop an innovative low-cost approach for characterizing fresh produce by repurposing inexpensive commercial-off-the-shelf green light sensors for quality estimation. Our approach has been designed to support all stages of the supply chain while being inexpensive and easy to deploy. We validate our approach through extensive empirical benchmarks, showing that it can correctly distinguish organic produce from nonorganic items, establish unique fingerprints for different produce, and estimate the quality or ripeness of produce. Specifically, we demonstrate that changes in the reflected green light values correlate with the so-called transpiration coefficients of the produce. We also discuss the practicability of our approach and present application use cases that can benefit from our solution.
Clinical Study of Thirty Patients with Parkinson Disease and Associated Pathology

We have clinically examined thirty patients with age ranging between 39 to 85 years old. We observed resting Tremor and Brakykinesia in 100% of patients examined and a family history of Parkinson Disease (PD) in 12%. We have found the following comorbidities: arterial hypertension 21%, diabetes 21%, language disorders 21%, neurobehavioral dysfunctions: 12%, neurosensory disorders, (hypoacusia) 12%, dizziness 8%, respiratory diseases 8%, constipation 8% and sleep disorders 8%. The following risks factors environmental conditions, stress, toxics, and previous cerebrovascular accident (1%) were observed. Parkinson disease motor and non-motor symptoms are discussed in details. PD can be associated with nneurobehavioral disorders (depression, anxiety), cognitive impairment (senile dementia), autonomic dysfunction, stress and aggressivity. PD ethiopathogenesis remains to be elucidated and has been connected to genetic, environmental and immunologic conditions. A differential diagnosis of PD with atypical parkisonian syndromes, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) is included.
Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) Protein-Protein Interactions and a Putative Mechanism for the Potential Benefits of Heat Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The use of heat therapy to treat diseases was very common in Africa. To date, the number of people using this form of therapy is very much on the decrease. Data on the molecular action mechanisms of how it might induce beneficial effects remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to make a contribution towards understanding the putative implication of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) in the pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and the hypothetical benefits of heat therapy through the establishment of a network of protein-protein interactions between Kruppel Like Factor 14 (KLF14), Transcription Factor 7 Like 2 (TCF7L2), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) and HSP70 (HSPA4). Data were generated by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) software version 10.0. This was used to identify the known and predicted protein-protein interactions (including direct or physical and indirect or functional associations) in the KLF14, TCF7L2, PPARG and HSP70 protein networks. With the active prediction methods (Gene Fusion, Neighborhood, Co-occurrence, Co-expression, Experiments, Databases and Text Mining) as interaction sources, Medium Confidence (0.400) and maximum number of interactions were used to show no more than 50 at the first shell and none at the second shell parameters. Fifty (50) proteins were identified to interact with these four proteins, namely KLF14, TCF7L2, PPARG and HSP70, resulting in a network diagram with 54 nodes (gene/proteins) and 485 edges, representing protein-protein associations. The network showed that HSP70 strongly interacts with other heat shock proteins like HSP90. The HSPBP, a cytoplasmic co-chaperone 1, inhibits HSPA1A chaperone activity by changing the conformation of its ATP-binding domain, thus interfering with this function. Based on the data generated by this in silico study, the potential beneficial effects of heat therapy on T2DM could probably be coordinated by the HSP70 protein-protein interactions involved in cell life and in the susceptibility to T2DM.
A Distributed Terahertz Metasurface with Cold-Electron Bolometers for Cosmology Missions

We developed and tested a 2D periodic array of cold-electron bolometers arranged into a wideband frequency selective metasurface that absorbs more than 70% of the incident power in the frequency range 100–800 GHz. The array had 10 × 10 unit cells, each containing four bolometers incorporated into a ring. The chip with bolometers was mounted on the back side of the silicon lens without a back-reflector. Preliminary experiments demonstrated voltage responsivity as high as 109 V/W for the current-biased series array. Simulation of the noise performance shows realization of background noise-limited performance with NEPtot < NEPphot for the optical power load P0 > 15 pW. Results of numerical simulation made for the unit cell of the array are presented together with the equivalent diagram based on lumped network elements. The unit cell also was developed numerically to operate in two radiation modes.
Use of weed plants against Meloidogyne incognita in spinach involves reduction of gall disease from roots

ABSTRACT In the present study, weed plants viz., Calotropis procera, Ricinus communis, Lantana camara, Achyranthes aspera, Wedelia chinensis, and Colocasia esculenta were evaluated against Meloidogyne incognita affecting spinach. For in vitro egg masses hatching experiment, four different concentrations of aqueous extracts of weed leaves, i.e. 100%, 50%, 10%, and 1%, were analyzed. All the extracts showed varied but significant results over control (Distilled water). Furthermore, C. procera and R. communis treatment significantly inhibited J2s hatching (100% inhibition) at the 4th and 7th days of incubation in 100% concentration, while C. esculenta inhibited the least. In pot study, it was also found that the pots treated with 50 and 100 g dry leaf powder of C. procera has efficiently suppressed the root-knot disease in spinach and significantly increased growth in terms of length, fresh and dry weights, number of leaves and biochemical parameters such as chlorophyll, carotenoid content and nitrate reductase activity followed by A. aspera, L. camara, R. communis, W. chinensis while C. esculenta showed the least effect amongst the treatments. Thus, the results provide considerable data for the use of weed plants to manage the root-gall disease in spinach.
Nonlinear disturbance observer based flexible-boundary prescribed performance control for a lower limb exoskeleton

In this article, a nonlinear disturbance observer based flexible-boundary prescribed performance controller (NDOPPC) is proposed to achieve outstanding transient and steady-state tracking performance for a lower limb exoskeleton. To estimate and compensate the lumped disturbance consisting of unmodelled dynamics and interaction torques applied by the wearer, a nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO) is utilised. The prescribed performance of the trajectory tracking of the exoskeleton is guaranteed by constraining the tracking error between the preset upper and lower boundaries. The boundaries of the proposed NDOPPC can be asymmetric functions in various forms, which increases the flexibility of the prescribed performance. The proposed NDOPPC is designed based on backstepping and the stability is analysed with Lyapunov theorem. Comparative simulations have been conducted with MATLAB/Simulink. Compared to computed torque controller (CTC) and nonlinear disturbance observer based computed torque controller (NDOCTC), the obtained results of comparative simulations demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of NDOPPC. Finally, different types of boundaries are considered to demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed NDOPPC.
Conceptual Model on Internet Banking Acceptance in China with Social Network Influence

The Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 is changing the way we live including Internet Banking. Although, the government has been encouraging, the acceptance of internet banking is still not well received by Chinese customers. The reason is because they are more concerned about the economic development on the banking industry, and less concerned about technology acceptance and its development. This lack of acceptance is also attributed to the current lack of social network influence to internet banking which including its weak compliance, lack of identification, and lack of internalization. This paper aims to identify the factors that may be influencing IB acceptance by proposing a model which can determine customer’s behavioural intention based on social network influence. The TAM, UTAUT and the Social Influence Theory (SIT) were simultaneously adopted for this study. It is to use the TAM model’s perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, the UTAUT model’s social influence, and the SIT’s compliance, identification and internalization factor for the analysis. For this purpose, a preliminary study was first administered so as to identify customers’ attitude of the IB acceptance. Thirty respondents were recruited for a structured interview. The behavioural intention and social network influence on internet banking in China was then examined with the proposed model. It appears that the model can be used to forecast Chinese customers’ acceptance of internet banking. It will give benefits to bank and society on paying attention to the influence of social network for internet banking in China.
Student’s Anticipation Profile at Rigor Level in Determining Papaya Tree Root Dimensions

Students with a rigor level of geometric thinking can analytically solve problems, yet the ability may not be readily observable. Thus, an example of how students solve problems merits explorations. Inspired by student’s problem solving, this study aimed to examine the student’s anticipatory profile in determining Papaya tree roots' dimensions. This qualitative research utilized tests and interview. Two tests were carried out: van Hiele geometric level grouping test for selecting the research participants and the report-based test for the actual project. Seventeen students took the van Hiele test, and one of them, who achieved the rigor level, was selected for the interview. Data obtained from the interview were then analyzed qualitatively. The study showed that students with a rigor level of geometric thinking anticipated analytically. The subject was able to explain a geometric problem systematically, starting from analyzing problems, clarifying detailss, to presenting arguments clearly and precisely. The findings in this study generate useful information for teachers who train their students to analyze a geometric problem correctly and adequately.
Electrostatic contribution to the ion solvation energy: cavity effects

ABSTRACT Ion solvation process has been analysed for the spherically symmetrical system where an ion is located inside a cavity surrounded by an isotropic nonlocal dielectric medium. It has been proven that for any dielectric properties of the medium, the electric field outside the cavity as well as the ion solvation energy depend only on the total ion charge but not of the particular distribution of the ion charge density inside the cavity. These characteristics remain unchanged if the charge is displaced from the external boundary of the cavity into it. Analytical formulas for them have been derived for a particular model of the nonlocal dielectric function. Comparison of results for the solvation energy on the basis of this new theory and of the conventional approach (disregarding the existence of the cavity) shows a significant difference between their predictions if the ion charge is displaced inside the ion cavity.
The impact of workplace stressors on exhaustion and work engagement in policing

This paper uses the challenge-hindrance stressor framework to examine the impact of challenge and hindrance stressors on police officer and staff well-being. Results of two studies conducted in English police forces demonstrate that challenge stressors relate positively to the effort and enthusiasm individuals invest into their work. Findings also indicate that while challenge stressors are positively associated with exhaustion cross-sectionally (Study 1, N = 469), they do not impact exhaustion over time (Study 2, N = 823). Conversely, hindrance stressors cause exhaustion in the long-term and are negatively associated with work engagement cross-sectionally. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Kingdom of Trolls? Influence Operations in the Saudi Twittersphere

Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of Twitter penetration in the world. Despite high levels of repression, the platform is frequently used to discuss political topics. Recent disclosures from Twitter have revealed state-backed attempts at distorting the online information environment through influence operations (IOs). A growing body of research has investigated online disinformation and foreign-sponsored IOs in the English-speaking world; but comparatively little is known about online disinformation in other contexts or about the domestic use of IOs. Using public releases of IO tweets, we investigate the extent of such activity in Saudi Arabia. Benchmarking these tweets to four samples of Saudi Twitter users, we find that engagement with IO accounts was lower than engagement with the average user, but equal to engagement with news accounts. Network analysis reveals that engagement with IO accounts was largely driven by a small number of influential accounts.
Joint Estimation of Balanced Motions and Internal Tides From Future Wide‐Swath Altimetry

Wide‐swath altimetry, for example, the Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission is expected to provide Sea Surface Height (SSH) measurements resolving scales of a few tens of kilometers. Over a large fraction of the globe, the SSH signal at these scales is essentially a superposition of a component due to balanced motions (BMs) and another component due to internal tides (ITs). Several oceanographic applications require the separation of these components and their mapping on regular grids. For that purpose, the paper introduces an alternating minimization algorithm that iteratively implements two data assimilation techniques, each specific to the mapping of one component: a quasi‐geostrophic model with Back‐and‐Forth Nudging for BMs, and a linear shallow‐water model with 4‐Dimensional Variational assimilation for ITs. The algorithm is tested with Observation System Simulation Experiments where the truth is provided by a primitive‐equation ocean model in an idealized configuration simulating a turbulent jet and mode‐one ITs. The algorithm reconstructs almost 80% of the variance of BMs and ITs, the remaining 20% being mostly due to dynamics that cannot be described by the simple models used. Importantly, in addition to the reconstruction of stationary ITs, the amplitude and phase of nonstationary ITs are reconstructed. Sensitivity experiments show that the quality of reconstruction significantly depends upon the timing of observations. Although idealized, this study represents a step forward towards the disentanglement of BMs and ITs signals from real wide‐swath altimetry data.
Education Is Entertainment? Zoo Science Communication on YouTube

YouTube is the dominant online video-sharing platform and offers zoos an opportunity to engage a vast audience with conservation content. As there is limited research evaluating how zoos currently utilize YouTube, we cataloged and evaluated the content of 20 zoological organizations (focusing on the top 1000 most viewed videos from each channel) from 2006 to 2019. Separately, educational content in a subsample of the most viewed and recently produced videos from three zoo-YouTube channels was catalogued and evaluated for the period 2016 to 2019. We found that channels are becoming more focused on producing entertainment, rather than education-based content and not reflecting the taxonomic diversity of their animals. Videos containing conservation content may not be the most popular with the YouTube audience (making up only 3% of the most viewed videos), but there is evidence that outputs are becoming more conservation orientated, with more conservation-focused videos being produced over time. Zoos may be engaging with large audiences via YouTube, but should carefully consider how they represent different taxonomic classes and how they can create educational material in interesting and accessible forms.
Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Cashew Nut Shell

This research examines the characteristics of microwave assisted pyrolysis products of cashew nutshell waste (CNS). The pyrolysis process of CNS conducted with microwave heating of 400 W for 60 minutes. Pyrolysis product such as bio-gas, bio-oil and bio-char were identified using proximate and ultimate analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) Method. There is a significant increasing in volatile matter and fixed carbon of derived bio-char and the porous structure was observed in a range of macropore after pyrolysis. The TGA profile reveals CNS sample lost about 71.25% of mass before reached 750℃. The highest decomposition rate on the DTG profile was 0.57 mg/min and 0.56 mg/min as observed at about 261.2℃ and 340.3℃. Bio-oil yield has density of 1.036 gr/ml, viscosity of 19.5 cst after water removing, flash point of 138℃ and HHV of 21.7 MJ/kg. The GC-MS of the bio-oil shows about 53% phenol, 19% palmitic and oleic acid, 11% cyclobutene, 14% ethyl and methyl ester, and cyclopentene and cyclohexane in small amounts in accordance with FT-IR results.
Actors’ strategic goals in emerging technological innovation systems: evidence from the biorefinery sector in Germany

ABSTRACT This paper explores the strategic goals behind actors’ involvement in emerging technological innovation systems (TISs) for sustainable technologies and the way they contribute to the development of the TIS functions. Based on six expert interviews with firms within the biorefinery sector in Germany, we observe four different strategic goals driving firm-actors’ involvement: (1) exploiting new markets and businesses, (2) learning about the potential of new markets and businesses, (3) developing new technologies and (4) building up new market applications. We also differentiate between three firm-actor types: (1) a leading type of incumbent firm highly contributing to the TIS functions; (2) a learning type of incumbent firm with lower contribution; and (3) a ‘fill the gap’ type of SME or start-up producing complementary knowledge or connecting other TIS actors.
Effectiveness of an App-Based Mobile Intervention for Precision Oral Self-Care in Patients with Periodontitis from Initial Therapy to Re-Evaluation

Good oral hygiene is essential to oral health and oral disease prevention. Strengthening the adherence of patients with periodontitis to oral hygiene behaviors (OHBs) is crucial for the success of periodontal treatment. This study aims to investigate the intervention effectiveness of a novel mobile app for precision oral self-care, which was developed to help patients with periodontitis improving their oral hygiene through daily oral self-care. One-hundred and fifty eligible patients were recruited into this study and randomly allocated to the control (n = 75) or intervention group (n = 75), and their oral hygiene status (OHS) and OHBs were recorded at baseline and re-evaluation. The participants in the intervention group were required to perform daily oral self-care using our oral self-care app (OSCA) and the functional preferences and overall likeability of the OSCA were evaluated through a questionnaire survey. In total, 39 patients from the control group and 49 from the intervention group completed clinical examinations at baseline and re-evaluation. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in OHS improvement between the two groups. However, OHS improvement significantly differed between low-, moderate-, and high-frequency users, with frequency of use being positively correlated to the likeability of the app. Further investigation of the effectiveness of the OSCA intervention revealed that behavioral change in oral hygiene, frequency of OSCA use, and smoking affected OHS improvement. These outcomes indicate that our app-based mobile intervention may be of value for precision oral self-care in patients with periodontitis.
Empathic Tendencies among Student Nurses and Student Teachers: A Comparative Study

The current study compares the empathic tendencies of student nurses and student teachers and identifies whether there are significant differences in the levels due to gender and academic level, data were collected from a study sample of 552 student nurses and student teachers using the Empathic Tendencies Scale. Results showed moderate levels with no significant differences between nurses and teachers, but showed significant differences in the level of empathic tendencies by gender, in favour of female students, and by academic level, in favour of third- and fourth-year academic students. Received: 17 January 2021 / Accepted: 3 March 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021
Evidence of late Palaeozoic and Middle Triassic magmatism in the Sakar-Strandzha Zone, SE Bulgaria: Regional geodynamic implications

ABSTRACT Late Palaeozoic granitoids, meta-granitoids and meta-volcanic rocks predominate in the metamorphic basement of the northern and western parts of the Sakar-Strandzha Zone (SASTZ) in southeast Bulgaria, together with the subsidiary Triassic meta-granitoids and meta-volcanic rocks. Generally, igneous minerals and textures are preserved, except in the meta-granitoids and meta-volcanic rocks that experienced a low- to high-grade metamorphic overprint. The volcanic rocks have a peraluminous and high-K calc-alkaline composition, and the granitoids range between I- to S-type compositions, typical of volcanic arcs and syn-collisional settings. LILE and LREE-enrichment and Nb-Ta anomalies characterize the intrusive and extrusive rock suites. U-Pb zircon geochronology has yielded crystallization ages between 245 and 237 Ma for the majority of the studied igneous rocks, and between 297 and 295 Ma for a small group of igneous rocks. Early Permian and Middle Triassic igneous suites of the northern and western SASTZ have similar compositions and a similar tectonic setting when compared to Late Carboniferous-Early Permian intrusive and extrusive suites of the adjacent Sakar unit of the SASTZ, confirming a common regional late Palaeozoic-early Mesozoic tectono-magmatic event. As the Late Carboniferous-Permian to Middle Triassic magmatic arc components extend across the SASTZ, they trace the time-correspondent active continental margin along the Eurasian plate during subduction of the Paleotethys oceanic lithosphere. The late Palaeozoic Eurasian active continental margin magmatic arc evolution of the SASTZ can be linked with the Serbo-Macedonian-Rhodope zones to the southwest, where coeval meta-granitoids document the same geodynamic context. By contrast, the Triassic igneous suite of the SASTZ is unrelated to the Serbo-Macedonian-Rhodope zones, where Triassic meta-ophiolite and meta-granitoids record Neotethys rifting.